PAL to start direct flights to Toronto

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Airlines will launch a pioneering service between Manila and Toronto on November 30, giving the flag carrier a direct link to Canada’s largest city and its first gateway to the vital East Coast of North America in 15 years.

“We are always keen on developing new markets and Toronto, with its diverse population, booming economy and status as one of the world’s top financial centers, presents us a major opportunity to do so,” said PAL president Ramon S. Ang.

“There has long been a big clamor from our customers in Toronto and all along Canada’s eastern seaboard, particularly the large Filipino community, for a PAL service to their part of the country,” he added.  “We heard them loud and clear, and we’re excited to serve them.”

The new service will trigger a revamp of PAL’s Canadian operation. From November 30, the current daily service between Manila and Vancouver, British Columbia, on Canada’s West Coast, will be revised to four times weekly, alternating with a three-times-weekly nonstop from Manila to Toronto.

On the return journey, Vancouver-Manila will have a dedicated product four times weekly along with a shared service from Toronto three times weekly. Toronto-Manila, therefore, will be a one-stop service via Vancouver.

PAL will field its brand-new, long-range flagship, the Boeing 777-300ER, which seats 42 in Mabuhay Class (business) and 328 in Fiesta Class (economy), on the 17-hour, nonstop flight to Toronto.