Philippine Airlines announced new direct flights between Los Angeles and Cebu, the Philippines’ second largest city, during a San Francisco Bay Area Road show held last month. The service will start on March 15, 2016. There will be three weekly flights to Cebu using the 254-seater Airbus A340.
The new LA-Cebu service becomes the first direct connection between Cebu and the U.S. The LA-Cebu direct flight will be PAL’s 38th weekly flight to the U.S. mainland and its territories. PAL’s direct flights between Sydney and Manila continues.
Cebu, is a great jumping off point for balikbayans and tourists travelling to several Visayas and Mindanao destinations.
Cebu itself is a destination. Cebu offers tourist interests from diving, nature tripping, sun and beach, health and wellness and shopping, among others.
San Francisco Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr., was on hand to welcome guests. Bensurto said that the LA-Cebu route will not only increase flow of tourists to the country, but also ease the travel to Southern Philippine destinations. In addition, the Cebu hub will also bring with it cultural and economic benefits to local folks.
Travel prizes were raffled off to the guests, which were mostly from media and tour companies. A lucky winner got the major prize of one PAL business class round trip ticket from San Francisco or Los Angeles to Manila then to Cebu, which comes with a 3 days/2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast at Shangri-la at the Fort, 4 days/3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast for two at Shangri-la Mactan Resort & Spa, 3 days/2 nights at Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa.