We thought Chicago-based United Airlines would be resuming direct flights between Manila and Honolulu, but apparently, that’s not happening yet. Nonetheless, United is upbeat about increasing its four percent market share in the Philippines to double digits, with the possibility of new destinations to be added to its existing Manila-Guam and Koror (Palau) routes. According to Country sales manager Maria C. Perdon, there are a lot of Filipinos living in Guam and so the route has been quite profitable, stressing that United has been an online carrier in the Philippines consistently for 30 years.

Atlantic and Pacific Sales VP Jake Cefolia also disclosed that the airline is looking at profitable destinations it could serve like Cebu, and that the possibility of a Manila-San Francisco route is being explored. Cefolia says they are focused on reintroducing United to the Philippine market which has become increasingly attractive due to the expanding economy and its growing popularity as a travel destination.

As a matter of fact, the Department of Tourism has declared 2015 as a “Visit the Philippines Year” due to major events slated to happen in the country such as the APEC and of course, the visit of Pope Francis in January. A lot of foreign artists will be bringing their acts here, like Michael Buble whose concert at the Mall of Asia Arena last Saturday was sold out.

Named the “Airline of the Year” by Global Traveler, United serves 60 countries with 373 international destinations and 5,055 daily departures. Also named the Best North American Airline in 2014 by Business Traveller – a distinction it has held for 14 years in a row – United is the first global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi including on long-haul overseas routes.

Cefolia says they have retired old aircraft with lesser seats, replacing them with new ones with bigger capacity to accommodate the same volume of passengers but with lesser departures to maximize efficiency. The first (and so far the only) US airline to operate a Boeing B787 Dreamliner, United is also set to take delivery of 35 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft starting in 2018.

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