PAL to offer first direct flights between Manila and Auckland

Manila Auckland
The national carrier is the only airline to offer direct flights between Manila and Auckland

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced a new Manila Auckland direct flight coming later this year.

From December 6, the overnight service will operate on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

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Outward flights depart Manila at 11.15pm and land in New Zealand at 2.05pm local time the next day.

Return flights on Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays depart at 12.30am and touch down in Manila at 5.45am.

The 10-hour service will make PAL the only carrier to offer direct flights between Manila and Auckland. Currently, most travellers fly via Cairns, Australia, a journey of more than 12 hours.

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PAL will continue operating the Manila-Auckland via Cairns route until December 5, 2017, at which time it will be replaced by the new service.

Anyone who has already booked tickets for this service dated December 6 onwards will be automatically transferred to the new nonstop flight.

Last week, we reported that PAL had commissioned larger, more comfortable planes to serve its direct flights between Manila and London. The 14-hour flight is the only direct service between the two capitals.

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