Philippine Airlines (PAL) will resume its seasonal nonstop flights between Manila and Sapporo by November for the winter 2026 travel season, the company said Thursday.
The nonstop service to New Chitose Airport will operate three times weekly between Nov. 23, 2026, and March 26, 2027. The airline will deploy its Airbus A321neo aircraft on the route, offering business class seating, inflight entertainment, Wi-Fi connectivity and curated onboard service.
The schedule features morning departures from Manila that arrive in Sapporo by midday, paired with afternoon return flights.
Company officials said the direct route eliminates the need for multiple connections, reducing travel time and allowing travelers to maximize their itineraries.
Sapporo is rapidly emerging as a winter alternative to traditional holiday destinations in Japan, drawing visitors with its snowy landscapes, powder snow, culinary scene, and seasonal festivals like the iconic Snow Festival.
The revived Sapporo route will also support growing cargo demand between Japan and the Philippines by providing increased capacity for the movement of goods, which reinforces economic links between the 2 nations.
PAL operates the largest network of destinations between the Philippines and Japan. The flag carrier already provides nonstop services to Osaka Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Tokyo Haneda, and Tokyo Narita, which includes direct flights from Cebu to Osaka Kansai and Tokyo Narita.
To accommodate the peak Christmas and holiday travel rush, the company will also increase flight frequencies on its Manila-Osaka and Manila-Narita routes from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11.
