Philippine Airlines will upgrade its Melbourne to Manila service to daily operations from 20 November 2026, up from five weekly flights, ahead of the peak year-end travel season.
Daily schedule improves onward Asia connections
The new schedule operates as PR210 departing Melbourne at 09:20 and arriving Manila at 14:25, with the return PR209 departing Manila at 20:20 and arriving Melbourne at 07:30 the following day. The expanded frequency is designed for seamless one-stop transfers through Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport to destinations including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul and Japan’s Tokyo (Narita and Haneda) and Osaka.
Krystle Ramirez-Gastrock, Philippine Airlines’ country manager for ANZ and PNG, said the move gives Victorian travellers greater flexibility during the peak travel period. “Whether it’s Aussie holidaymakers heading to the beaches of the Philippines, travellers connecting to Japan’s snowfields, or families reuniting for the festive season, PAL is proud to strengthen Victoria’s vital link to Asia and beyond,” Ramirez-Gastrock said.
Expansion coincides with 55-year Melbourne milestone
The upgrade coincides with Philippine Airlines marking 55 years of continuous service to Melbourne on 10 September 2026, having first launched flights to Victoria in 1971. With the change, the airline now operates 24 non-stop weekly flights across four Australian capital cities: Melbourne and Sydney each with daily service, Brisbane with daily service, and Perth with three weekly flights.
The airline’s codeshare partnership with Qantas allows Mabuhay Miles and Qantas Frequent Flyer members to redeem points across both networks. Fares include checked baggage allowances, inflight meals and entertainment as standard.
For agents selling Philippines and onward Asia connections from Melbourne, the daily schedule removes previous gaps in availability, giving advisors more flexible booking options for clients travelling to the Philippines, Japan’s ski season, or connecting onward through Manila to North America and the Middle East. Bookings for the new schedule are open now via philippineairlines.com or through travel agents.
