Special advertising feature by Candy Feliciano
For Variety
EIGHTY-FIVE years after its inaugural flight made it Asia’s first commercial airline, Philippine Airlines is coming back to Saipan and the timing is deliberate. Service resumes March 29, with twice-weekly flights connecting the CNMI directly to Manila, restoring a route that many in the Filipino community here have been waiting years to see return.
Mathew Tamaray, PAL’s VP ground operations, said the resumption is about more than adding a destination. “PAL brings back the connectivity between the Philippines and Saipan,” he said. “As an airline with long-standing ties in the Pacific, this route will foster growth in tourism and trade between the island nations.” The anniversary, he added, gives the return added meaning: “The opening of the route is made more special as it coincides with our 85th anniversary celebration, giving the CNMI people with Filipino heritage to rediscover the Philippines.”
Service begins March 29 (Manila to Saipan) and March 30 (Saipan to Manila). The very first flight departs Manila on Sunday, March 29 at 1945H, arriving in Saipan at 0145H the following day. That first Manila departure lands in Saipan just after midnight, making the inaugural return flight technically a March 30 departure at 0250H. Flights then operate twice weekly: Saipan to Manila every Monday and Thursday departing at 0250H, arriving 0505H; Manila to Saipan every Wednesday and Sunday departing at 1945H, arriving 0145H the following day. The aircraft serving the route is the Airbus A321 CEO, a 199-seat narrowbody with a stretched fuselage of 146 feet, the longest and widest single-aisle aircraft in its class.
Onboard, Business Class offers 12 seats in a 2-2 configuration with a 37-inch pitch, 22-inch width, 6-inch recline, and AC power outlets. Economy Class seats 187 passengers in a 3-3 layout with a 30-inch pitch and 18.1-inch width. Both cabins are equipped with wireless inflight entertainment, and Business Class seats include USB charging ports.
For many in Saipan, the return is personal. Maria Santos, a long-time resident, recalled flying PAL during one of the more stressful periods of her life, a medical referral that required travel to Manila. The familiarity of the carrier made the experience bearable. The staff treated her like family, she said, and having that direct connection to medical facilities in Manila made a world of difference. She did not have to explain herself to anyone on that flight. The language was familiar, the food was familiar, and somewhere over the Pacific, that mattered. For her and many others in the CNMI, PAL was never just a flight option. It was the airline you called when something serious happened, when family needed you, when there was no time to route through Guam or Tokyo and hope for the best.
Ricardo Delgado, who travels frequently to the Philippines to visit relatives and for leisure, said the news was long overdue. Planning a trip home used to be simple when direct flights were available, he said. You booked, you packed, and you went. Whether heading to the beaches or spending time with family, flying with the flag carrier makes the vacation start the moment you step on the plane. The hospitality is familiar, and for those who have not been back in years, this 85th anniversary return is the right reason to finally book that trip.
Leonard Bryan Sansolis, PAL regional head for Japan, Korea and Oceania, noted that Manila functions as a major gateway for onward travel. From there, passengers can connect to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh. Baggage allowance is two pieces at 23kg per piece for Economy and two pieces at 32kg per piece for Business Class, a meaningful benefit for OFWs and balikbayans who rarely travel light.
The airline’s loyalty program, Mabuhay Miles, is also part of the relaunch. Sign-up is available through the PAL website or mobile app, with a minimum enrollment age of two years old. For frequent flyers on other carriers, PAL offers an Elite Tier Status Match Program, which “allows a member to enjoy premium privileges instantly, giving a seamless and elevated travel experience.” Bookings can be made online or through local General Sales Agent Century Travel and other Saipan-based travel agency partners.
On broader expansion, Sansolis was measured. “We remain open to exploring new opportunities,” he said, “but currently, our priority is to focus on strengthening and ensuring the success of our existing routes: Guam, Saipan, and Palau.” The long-term goal for the Saipan route is balanced traffic in both directions, with leisure travelers as the primary focus. Meeting load factor and yield targets, he said, will position the airline to eventually grow capacity further.
Travelers should prepare before booking. A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay is required, and all passengers must complete a free eTravel registration at etravel.gov.ph to obtain a QR code before arrival in the Philippines. CNMI residents may enter visa-free for up to 30 days. Those with onward connections should verify entry requirements for their destination country.
The airline’s 85th anniversary promotional campaign has just concluded, but new offers and special fares are expected. Sansolis encouraged residents to follow PAL’s official pages to be among the first to know when new promotions become available. After years without a direct link, the resumption gives Saipan travelers something they have not had in a long time: a direct connection to Manila and the broader Asia-Pacific network.
