Is the United Airlines Direct Service Between Manila and San Francisco Worth It?

Wilma Logan has been living in Northern California in the United States for over 30 years but often comes home to the Philippines every two or three years to visit family here. She and her husband usually prefer to fly direct, especially since they’re getting on in years. There wasn’t much choice for direct flights between the U.S. West Coast and Manila; only one airline has operated a direct service in this route for years, so she says they’ve been taking that flight, except for times when fares were too expensive and they would be forced to get flights with layovers in places like Taipei or Seoul. 

But in August this year, United Airlines announced that it would start offering a direct service between San Francisco and Manila in what would be the first such nonstop flight between the U.S. mainland and the Philippines from a U.S.-based carrier in over three decades. As soon as she saw the ads, Logan says she booked tickets for herself and her husband on United. The couple had taken the other airline from San Francisco to Manila nine months ago for an extended vacation here in the country, but says she did not hesitate to try out United on the flight bac to the U.S. 

United Airlines crew say hello

“I was so excited when I heard about this flight,” she tells Esquire Philippines at the pre-departure area just minutes before boarding the maiden voyage of UA 190 from Manila to San Francisco on Monday (October 30). There was a small celebration at the gate attended by United Airlines officials and the Ambassador of the United States to the Philippines Mary Kay Carlson. “I’m already having a great time.”

United Airlines began its service of the San Francisco to Manila route on Sunday (October 29), with 325 passengers. On Monday (October 30), Logan and her husband were two of the 334 passengers (plus one infant) who were on the inaugural flight from Manila to San Francisco.

“We know that there are hundreds of thousands of Filipinos living in California,” said Marcel Fuchs, managing director for international sales of United Airlines during a pre-departure press conference at the NAIA Terminal 3 Dignitaries Lounge. “San Francisco also offers a great connection point if you want to go south to San Diego or Los Angeles, or if you want to go elsewhere in the United States. 

United Airlines Regional Director for APAC Walter Dias, Country Manager for Sales – Philippines Pam Navarro, Managing Director for International Sales Marcel Fuchs, US Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. MaryKay Carlson, Department of Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim, Department of Tourism Regional Director Sharlene Batin, American Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe, General Manager for Airport Operations - Guam Samuel Shinohara

“And the reason why we think customers would like to join United Airlines is because of the outstanding customer service, because of our outstanding route network, the San Francisco connectivity, and all of the amenities we offer. We also have the right price points for a broad range of customers. We’re the largest U.S. network flying internationally, and it is the most comfortable way to fly from Manila to any place in the United States and beyond.”

According to data, there were about 3.4 million passengers flying annually between North America and Manila, with San Francisco being the second-most popular hub just after Los Angeles. United has actually flown to Manila before, but through Guam and Palau. This is the first time the airline is offering a service to the Philippines nonstop from the continental United States.

Business class on United

United Airlines launched its MNL-SFO route using the Boeing 777-300. It’s not exactly a new plane, but it does offer the most number of passengers on a single flight. Fuchs said there is an ongoing introductory promotion of the route, with fares starting at just $748 until the end of March. Compare that with the pricing of its main nonstop competitor, whose fares for the same flight start at around $2,000. Even United’s Business Class fare offered on the San Francisco to Manila flight was priced lower than that—as low as $1,300. The reason, apparently, is that there is less demand for premium seats on the San Francisco to Manila service even though United has said it is seeing great demand for the route service overall.

If you can afford it, we’d recommend getting a ticket for United’s business class seats for the 14-hour flight. Spacious and comfortable, the Polaris seats make the long-haul flight not only bearable but actually pleasant. The seats can be adjusted to lie all the way flat through a roller wheel control to the side. The 16-inch TV screen has crisp audio and video and offers a wealth of entertainment options—from recently released movies to classic TV shows. 

Amenities on United Airlines business class seat include a pillow, blanket and comforter

Photo by PJ Cana.

There’re tons of storage space, including one underneath a footrest and a small cabinet where a bottled water and the headphones are stored, in addition to the overhead compartments. There are two charging ports for electronic devices, an adjustable reading light, and amenities that include comfy slippers, a blanket (made with recycled plastic water bottles), a comforter carrying the Saks Fifth Avenue brand, and the famous Polaris “gel” pillow that’s incredibly firm but soft. There’s also a cute cross-body bag amenity kit stocked with things like an eye serum, hand cream, lip balm, earplugs, soft tissues, a face refresh wipe, pen, and others.

Meal service offered a chicken adobo main course in addition to a seared salmon and a beef short rib option. The salmon that we got was perfectly cooked and well-seasoned. There’s also a selection of wines, sodas, and other beverages.

United offers inflight Wi-Fi for $8, though I was unable to try it so I’m not sure how fast or reliable it is.

The blanket is made from recycled plastic water bottles

Photo by PJ Cana.

“The decision for this type of route launch from our network planning team sometimes take many years,” Fuchs said. “Of course, in this case, the foremost goal was to restart all of our international services after the pandemic. The fact that this weekend, we also have new service to Brisbane, Auckland, as well as additional services to Japan (Los Angeles to Tokyo), we have more Taipei flights as well—shows you that we have not only restored the flights, we’ve actually exceeded the flights from 2019. Manila fits into that bucket of long-term planning. It’s also a matter of finding the right aircraft resources available.”

While the inaugural flight seemed to have been a big success for United, we’ll have to wait and see if this new route will end up being profitable for the airline and if it will end up stealing customers away from the existing and dominant airline servicing the San Francisco and Manila route. In the meantime, for passengers like Logan, the new service is nothing but good news. 

“I’ve already told all my friends in the U.S. about it and have convinced them to give it a try the next time they fly to the Philippines,” she said. “It’s about time we have a choice.” 

United Airlines flies daily from Manila to San Francisco out of NAIA Terminal 3. It departs at 9:55 a.m. and arrives the same day at 6:20 a.m. Meanwhile the San Francisco to Manila flights depart at 11:35 p.m. and arrives at 6:50 a.m. two days later.