Ready to Soar? Your dream of going to London that you had has just come true!
Hello, fellow travel enthusiasts and dreamers! As much as we would all love to have a non-stop direct flight from Manila (MNL) to London (LHR) once again, the latest news indicates that we are still not there yet. Philippine Airlines’ London to Manila route is actively selling tickets to the UK, which is a positive sign, but flights currently have one or more stops. The real question is not whether they will fly to London, but rather when will Philippine Airlines resume flights to London and the speed and comfort of the direct flight will be restored.
The Grand Re-Launch: What are the Latest Updates?
Philippine Airlines has shown its interest in flying into the UK, as they have offered flights to London Heathrow (LHR).
For now (November 2025), Philippine Airlines is selling flights from Manila (MNL) to London (LHR/LGW). However, these are connecting flights, which include the time involved in stopping and changing to a partner airline. Previously, Philippine Airlines’ London to Manila used the new Airbus A350-900 aircraft for the direct route. While they can return to service, the direct service has still not resumed (or been listed) since global air travel and tourism were disrupted by crises in the early 2020s.
This “pause” in service is an operational pause, not a permanent withdrawal. Nevertheless, it keeps us asking: when will Philippine Airlines resume flights to London? It does mean, according to expectations, there may be one or more stops during the trip, and the total trip time will be much longer than a non-stop route of 13 to 14 hours. There always is an option to check with PAL’s official site or a reputable booking engine just before booking for the specific trip duration in hours, and the number of stops for Manila to London flights.
Let’s take a look back, The Amazing Journey of The London Route.
To get the present timetable into context, we should know the backstory. This route has seen its fair share of bumps, not only with the weather!
The Early Years and The Long Gap (Pre-2013)
Original Gap: PAL had at one time suspended its services in Europe and the UK, way back in 1998. It had been a very long fifteen years absence! The reasons were mostly financial and operational, and indeed a sign of tough times for the airline.
PAL and other Filipino airlines were also banned by the EU on safety grounds, according to the European Commission’s’ aviation safety list by the EU on safety grounds before their great return, which in effect banned them from entering the European airspace.
The Successful Return (Starting 2013)
The Comeback (2013): PAL is taken off the EU Banned Operators List after lots of work, modernising its fleet and passing the safety audit! This gave way to the successful reintroduction of the Manila to London route in November 2013
The Big Question: Interestingly, there was a social debate about which airport to use in London. They had originally considered London Gatwick (LGW) and eventually succeeded in securing valuable slots at the highly demanded and prestigious London Heathrow (LHR) airport. This was a huge victory, signifying that the route was indeed relevant.
PAL’s Special Long-Haul Fleet: To fly ultra-long-haul demand effectively, PAL utilised its newest fleet. They began with a Boeing 777-300ER, then later on, moved to the Airbus A350-900, a new version of the A350. This is great news for us, the passengers! The A350 boasts a much quieter cabin, better air pressure, and humidity, which means less jet lag than before, plus a far better all-around flying experience on distances like those.
The Modern Interruption (2020-2021)
The Global Disruption: COVID-19 halted international travel temporarily, with restrictions guided by agencies such as the UK Government Travel Advice, but massively, while PAL suspended its London service (mostly) in late 2020 and early 2021, thanks to travel bans imposed by government agencies to curtail new variants. It was an operational stop, not a permanent withdrawal, which brings us back to the pressing question: when will Philippine Airlines resume flights to London?
Why London is Important: More than Getting Your Passport Stamped
Also, in case you are wondering why Philippine Airlines is so eager to still maintain this route, you should consider these reasons that you may want to share with your friends and fellow travellers.
- The Filipino Diaspora: Filipinos in the UK: There are hundreds of thousands of Filipinos living in the United Kingdom! The Manila to London route is important for visiting family (known as balikbayan or visiting the country in the community). It’s a valuable and emotionally important market.
- Trade Business: London is a global financial centre, and the Philippines is a fast-growing economy in Southeast Asia. This is significant because business, investment and trade can still be conducted through a flight that is not connected and therefore facilitates ease of high-value commerce.
- Going to Asia from the UK: The UK is one of the best markets for tourists to visit the Philippines. Keeping track of the airline flight schedule is crucial for travellers, as Today’s travel schedules involve a direct flight to places like Palawan, Cebu, and Siargao, instead of connecting through yet another country, which saves us hours in overall travel schedules, especially to remote and beautiful destinations. This is very important to u,s who just want to spend our time at a nice tropical beach, and if you’re planning your itinerary, you may enjoy reading our guides on the best beaches in the Philippines and the best islands to visit!
- Fleet Utilisation and Prestige: The London route is a so-called prestige route. Maintaining strong Philippine Airlines routes demonstrates the capability of the airline and the quality of our service and the quality of the modern aviation (ie, A350). It holds the position of the flag carrier for PAL.
The Traveller: Perk: What it Means to You
Forget about long, complicated checkouts at the Middle East or other Asian destinations. If you’re curious how long flights usually take, check out our guide on the London to the Philippines flight time. The direct flight will be the gold standard of the trip, and this is why you should be looking forward to it. It makes you wonder, when will Philippine Airlines resume flights to London?
Not only is the Airbus A350 the dream aeroplane of long-haul flights as is being reported, but also Non-Stop Comfort (A350). Cabin size, which will give you space, up-to-date entertainment, and three classes (Business, Premium Economy, and Economy). This is how to cross over 10,000 kilometres! The thought of flying this route again makes us ask, When will Philippine Airlines resume Manila to London flights?
Time is Money (and holiday!): The direct flights will land around 13-14 hours. Compare that to a one-stop flight that could take you 18-24 hours total. The time savings are quite large, and you will have the time to visit Trafalgar Square or even take it easy on the sands of Boracay.
London Heathrow Access: The access to landing at Heathrow (London Heathrow flights) is significant. It also affords unrivalled onward access all over the UK as well as the rest of Europe. We are all waiting for the official announcement on when will Philippine Airlines resume flights to London. Check the Manila airport flights board for the latest departure information.
My Final Words to My Fellow Travellers
The story of Philippine Airlines and the London route is no story of backlogs and persistence. They have faced bans, financial issues, and a pandemic, but they never fail to return to the UK skies. For many planning a holiday to the Philippines, this route has always been a key part of reconnecting with home, exploring the islands, or booking through trusted partners like World Pinoy Flights.
When will they return? Rather, they have returned and even flying weekly suggests they have confidence in the recovering travel market and sustained demand on this route. The return of PAL direct flights UK will be a major indicator of this confidence.
The most important advice I have:
1. Check the Official Source: Whenever possible, check the official Philippine Airlines flight schedules from Manila (MNL) to London Heathrow (LHR) for the best and most up-to-date availability on an issue-by-issue basis.
2. Book a direct flight: In terms of being a traveller, watch for that non-stop flight. The time and stress it saves you is worth every additional dollar.
3. Fly A350: On the same note, look for flights on the Airbus A350. The A350 is the best long-range aircraft, and it gets you to a more enjoyable landing. International travel is beginning to enter a wonderful age. The Manila to London flight route is now available to you in business class to complement your British travel destinations to your Philippine destinations. After you have packed all those bags, booked all those tickets, let’s go! Happy and safe travels, Mabuhay!
FAQs about when will Philippines Airlines resume flights to London
Is Philippine Airlines (PAL) flying non-stop flights from Manila (MNL) to London (LHR/LGW)?
No. As of November 2025, the non-stop flight from Manila to London is suspended. PAL is selling tickets for this route, but they are making the itinerary with stop(s), many times using a partner airline on part of the flight.
When was the last time PAL was flying up to London, and why did they stop?
PAL’s direct non-stop flight to London (LHR) was stopped at the end of 2020/start of 2021 due to global travel restrictions and government-imposed bans because of COVID-19. This is called an operational pause, not an exit.
How much longer is the connecting flight than the old direct flight?
The old direct flight (Manila-London) took about 13 to 14 hours. A current connecting flight with layovers takes 18 to 24 hours or more in travel time.
4. What aircraft is PAL using on the direct Manila-London route, and why is this important?
They used Airbus A350-900 for their direct flight route. This is important because the A350 is a modern long-haul aircraft recognised for its quiet cabin, better air pressure, and higher humidity to significantly reduce jet lag for better comfort on ultra-long-haul trips.
5. Why is the London route so important to Philippine Airlines?
Filipino Diaspora Filipinos living/working abroad are a big segment of the Balikbayan market back home and in the UK. UK serves as a financially important world city and brings the fast-growing South East Asian economy of the Philippines to London. And it’s an ultra-long-haul “prestige route” airline as the national flag carrier.
