Delta To Become The Only U.S. Airline Flying Nonstop Between LAX and Manila

In a major development for transpacific aviation, Delta Air Lines has officially announced its first-ever nonstop service connecting the U.S. mainland directly to the Philippines. Launching in spring 2027, the highly anticipated route between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) establishes Delta as the only U.S. carrier to offer a direct link between these two major global hubs.

Whether you are visiting family, traveling for business, or eager to explore the world-class beaches of Boracay and Palawan, this historic route completely changes the landscape for points and miles collectors. Here is everything you need to know about Delta’s newest Pacific crown jewel.

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Flight Schedule and Frequency

The new transpacific link is slated to take flight on March 28, 2027. To align with seasonal demand, Delta is deploying a phased rollout strategy for the roughly 7,300-mile journey:

• Inaugural Phase (March 28 – June 6, 2027): The flight will operate three times per week, allowing the airline to smoothly integrate the long-haul route into its network.


• Daily Phase (Starting June 7, 2027): Just in time for the peak summer travel season, the route will upgrade to a daily schedule in both directions.

For travelers planning ahead, reservations are expected to load directly into the system on July 19, 2026, meaning you can lock in your itinerary nearly a year in advance.

The Aircraft: Flagship Comfort on the Airbus A350-900

A ultra-long-haul flight of nearly 16 hours requires a premier passenger experience, and Delta is delivering by deploying its flagship Airbus A350-900 on the route. The widebody aircraft will feature Delta's standard four-class layout, catering to every style of traveler:

• Delta One Suites: Premium flyers can enjoy maximum privacy with fully closing doors, luxury lie-flat bedding, and personalized culinary menus.


• Delta Premium Select: A dedicated premium economy cabin boasting wider seats, deeper recline, and upgraded footrests.


• Delta Comfort+: Extra legroom and dedicated overhead bin space to ensure a cozy journey.


• Main Cabin: Standard economy seating paired with Delta's industry-leading seatback entertainment and free, fast Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members.

A Massive Win for the Filipino-American Community

Southern California is home to one of the largest Filipino communities outside of the Philippines, making this route an incredibly logical step for Delta’s premier West Coast hub. Historically, travelers on this route have either flown Philippine Airlines or endured lengthy layovers at connecting hubs like Tokyo, Seoul, or Taipei.

By eliminating the connection entirely, Delta is saving travelers hours of transit time. Furthermore, travelers originating elsewhere in the U.S. can take advantage of Delta's massive domestic footprint at LAX, booking single-itinerary, one-stop connections through Terminal 3 straight to Manila.

Strategic Power: The Korean Air Joint Venture

Interestingly, this isn't Delta's first time touching down in Manila. The airline previously operated tag flights to the capital from Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon, though those fifth-freedom routes were retired during the pandemic.

This new direct flight doesn't replace Delta's partners; instead, it strengthens its highly successful joint venture with Korean Air. Travelers now have the ultimate flexibility: they can book a seamless nonstop with Delta out of LAX or choose an itinerary connecting through Seoul Incheon on Korean Air, providing unmatched flexibility across the Pacific.

The Bottom Line

Delta's expansion to Manila proves that the carrier is deeply committed to capitalizing on massive Asia-Pacific travel demand. For SkyMiles members and international globetrotters alike, having a premium, points-friendly, and nonstop U.S.-carrier option to the Philippines is an extraordinary milestone. Keep your calendars marked for the July 2026 booking launch, and get ready to experience Manila like never before.

Philippines Welcomes Back Foreign Travelers After 2 Years

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines lifted a nearly two-year ban on foreign travelers Thursday in a lifesaving boost for its tourism and related industries as an omicron-fueled surge eases.

Foreign travelers from 157 countries with visa-free arrangements with the Philippines who have been fully vaccinated and tested negative for the virus will be welcomed back and will no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival. The government also ended a risk classification system that banned travelers from the worst-hit countries.

“We will begin the next chapter in the road to recovery,” Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said. She added the border reopening would restore jobs and generate revenue across tourism-related enterprises and communities.

British tourist Ian Collins said at the airport arrival lobby that he flew back after two years because he “absolutely loved” the Philippines and wanted to reunite with Filipino friends. “It’s just a wonderful country. I’m so glad that you’re open again,” the 60-year-old Collins told The Associated Press.

Malaysian tourist Shaun James Stickney said the pandemic separated him and his Filipina partner for two years, so he took the first flight to Manila when the Philippines reopened to reunite with her and “God willing, get married.”

The Philippines imposed one of the world’s longest lockdowns and strictest police-enforced quarantine restrictions to quell a pandemic that caused its worst economic recession since the 1940s and pushed unemployment and hunger to record levels.

More than a million Filipinos lost their jobs in tourism businesses and destinations in the first year of the pandemic alone, according to government statistics. Tourism destinations, including popular beach and tropical island resorts, resembled ghost towns at the height of pandemic lockdowns, and a volcanic eruption and typhoons exacerbated losses.

The reopening had been set for Dec. 1 but was postponed as the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus spread.

Less than a thousand new cases were added daily during the Christmas holidays, when large crowds of shoppers trooped back to malls and restaurants despite constant government warnings. The subsequent surge peaked above 39,000 infections in a day in mid-January, but has since eased. Health officials reported about 3,600 infections on Wednesday with 69 deaths and have declared the entire archipelago, except for one southern region, at “low to moderate risk.”

More than 60 million of nearly 110 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and 8.2 million have received their booster shots in a campaign that has been hampered by vaccine shortages and public hesitancy.

President Rodrigo Duterte warned Filipinos in televised remarks Monday that “we are not over the hump” and urged the unvaccinated to get immunized soon.

“If you’re unvaccinated and you die, well, I’ll tell you, ‘good riddance,’” the tough-talking president said. “You can walk around and if you get contaminated, you will be awfully very, very sorry for yourself and your family.”

Philippines Lifts Ban On Foreign Tourists As Outbreak Eases

The Philippines will lift a ban on the entry of foreign tourists and businesspeople next month after nearly two years, in a move to revive the battered tourism industry as the latest coronavirus outbreak started to ease, officials said Friday.

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said the country will reopen its doors to travelers from more than 150 countries with visa-free privileges starting Feb. 10. Foreign travelers will no longer be required to quarantine in government-designated centers upon arrival if they have been fully vaccinated and tested negative prior to arrival, officials said.

The government had initially planned to lift the ban on Dec. 1 but indefinitely postponed it as the more contagious omicron variant spread, which also prompted authorities to reimpose tighter restrictions.

President Rodrigo Duterte warned that unvaccinated Filipinos who defy orders to stay at home could face arrest. Commuters who have not been immunized were also prohibited from public transport in the capital region of more than 13 million people unless on urgent errands, for at least up to the end of the month. The decision has sparking protests from human rights and labor groups. The number of daily infections has dropped considerably in the capital in recent days.

“We’re done with border control,” Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire told a news conference, adding that government focus has shifted to preventing community transmission of the omicron variant, which has caused five deaths in the country so far.

“We are also aware that there is no room for complacency given the unpredictability of the virus,” Puyat said. “We will closely monitor the situation and ensure that health and safety protocols are strictly implemented in all tourism establishments.”

The number of tourists dropped by more than 6 million, and more than a million Filipinos lost their jobs in tourism businesses and destinations in the first year of the pandemic alone, according to government statistics. Tourism destinations, including popular beach and island resorts, resembled ghost towns at the height of pandemic lockdowns.

The Philippines has reported more than 3.5 million confirmed COVID-19 infections, with 53,801 deaths, the second-highest totals in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.

Travelore Tips: Some Of The Craziest Places In The World Where You Can Get A Drink

Contributed by  Sara Boboltz

If you've grown tired of all the establishments within a five-mile radius of your house, know that the world is bursting with weird, creepy, and mind-blowing spots for you to enjoy a spot of tea -- or delicious libations.

You can have a drink...

With geeks of every stripe.

Where: Paris, France
La Dernier Bar Avant la Fin du Monde, or "last bar before the end of the world" -- a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy reference -- is a haven for Trekkies, Potterheads, Lord of the Rings obsessives, Star Wars fanatics, World of Warcraft addicts, the Doctor Who fandom, and all kinds of other nerds.

Surrounded by handlebar mustaches.

Where: London, England
Meetings of The Handlebar Club take place at the Windsor Castle pub, where anyone sporting "a hirsute appendage of the upper lip, with graspable extremities" is welcome. Beards, sadly, are not allowed.

In a real, live cave.

Where: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Alux is a restaurant and bar named after the mischievious elfish cave-dwelling creatures in Mexican folklore. You can grab a drink here among the stalactites and stalagmites as you try to remember which is which.

In a room full of hammocks.

Where: Multiple cities, Japan
Appealing to the slovenly bum in all of us, hammock cafes let you relax with a hot drink or a cold beer without having to actually sit up straight like your mother taught you. (Just don't get too excited about getting in.) Unfortunately, time limits are enforced, but happily so is the "no children" rule, in some of the cafes.

With nocturnal birds of prey.

Where: Tokyo, Japan
Head to one of Japan's owl cafes to enjoy a nice hot owl-themed beverage while youmake friends with some of the birds. Some of the cafes even let you hold one, but others have more stringent rules.

Alternatively, go to any beach bar in the tropics.

Served by a monkey.

(YouTube)

Where: Utsunomiya, Japan
A pair of macaque monkeys help out at Kayabukiya sake tavern, serving hot towels and beers to customers upon request after the cafe's owner realized they were such good listeners. The monkeys only work two hours per day, in accordance with Japanese laws to prevent animal abuse.

Suspended high above the street.

Where: Global
Dinner in the Sky is a mobile novelty restaurant that offers full-service dining 150 feet above the ground via crane. Just hope you don't have to use the restroom.

With some cats.

Where: Multiple cities, Japan
Indulge your cat obsession while sipping a nice cup of coffee in one of Japan'snotorious cat cafes. Don't expect the cats themselves to care whether or not you're there, though, because they probably don't.

With some penguins.

Where: Multiple cities, Japan
Proving that all things are truly possible in Japan, the nation's penguin bars allow you to enjoy a drink and a meal as a bunch of penguins enjoy a nice swim. At certain times you can even help feed these adorable little guys.

On a teeny tiny island accessible only by sea.

Where: Michamwi Pingwe, Zanzibar
You'll have to wade out to this bar and restaurant settled on a naturally formed rockoff the coast of Zanzibar to get sloshed. But it's all stunningly gorgeous, so we wouldn't complain too much.

In the belly of a whale.

Where: Gruyères, Switzerland 
Being inside this vertebral structure is said to evoke the Biblical story of Jonah. In any case it's sure to leave you feeling uneasy -- the cavernous space is peppered with alien and otherworldly sculptures.

James Bond-style in an underwater oasis.

(YouTube)

Where: Eilat, Israel
The Red Sea Star restaurant and bar is situated entirely underwater, so you can toss back a few drinks while gazing at the mesmerizing marine landscape through windows above and around the dining room.

While freezing in a room made of ice.

Where: New York City, United States
Everything at Minus 5 is made of ice, from the walls to the seats to the very glass you'll drink from, although supposedly the name is misleading -- it's a balmy 23 degrees inside! Your cover charge provides you a parka and pair of gloves to use for the duration of your stay.

Perched in the best treehouse ever.

Where: Limpopo Province, South Africa
Since 1933, patrons have been coming to Sunland Bar in this massive Baobab tree for a drink and view. It's basically the magical playplace that was always missing from your childhood, only with booze! Don't come with a crowd, however -- this cozy little bar can only fit 15 patrons.

With a bunch of "hobbits."

Where: Manila, Philippines
An ex-Peace Corps volunteer founded The Hobbit House with a love for all things Lord of the Rings and a full staff of little people. Politically correct or not, this place looks like you'd get a few stories out of your visit.

All the way down in Antarctica.

Where: Antarctica, duh.
Scientists at the Vernadsky Research Station get thirsty, too, you know. The world's southernmost bar exists in the Argentine Islands, part of the continent of Antarctica, featuring homemade vodka and Ukrainian knickknacks. Drinks can be purchased for a few dollars or a women's undergarment.

And, finally, while you're trying to get away from some zombies.

Where: Minneapolis, Minn.
When the zombie apocalypse comes, Donny Dirk's Zombie Den will already exist as a hideaway from the walking dead, where the Minnesota winters are cold enough "to sustain, with minimal odor, re-animated ambulatory flesh." So you can drink somewhere it doesn't smell like a thousand rotting corpses. Huzzah!