Manila to Los Angeles Flights — Schedule, Carriers, Best Time | 2026

Manila (MNL) to Los Angeles (LAX) is the Philippines’ biggest balikbayan corridor, flown nonstop by Philippine Airlines with around 14 weekly departures and a 13-hour block. Off-peak roundtrip economy fares sit between PHP 55,000-85,000, surging past PHP 130,000 during Pasko balikbayan season. SoCal hosts the largest Filipino-American diaspora, kaya laging busy ang route.

Route at a glance

• Distance & duration: ~13 hours nonstop, MNL to LAX.
• Carriers nonstop: Philippine Airlines (PR) only. United and Delta connect via Tokyo or Seoul.
• Frequency: ~14 weekly departures (twice-daily PAL).
• Travel profile: Balikbayan-dominant, family visits + Christmas reunion runs.

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Best time to book

Cheapest pockets are mid-January through March at September through early November, when fares dip to PHP 52,000-68,000 roundtrip. Avoid the Dec 1-Jan 8 Pasko balikbayan rush, kasi the entire SoCal Fil-Am community books home flights — fares can hit PHP 150,000+. June graduations at Holy Week (April) are also expensive. For tipid pricing, book 4-6 months ahead po. Tuesday and Wednesday departures shave PHP 4,000-7,000 versus weekend banks. Connecting via NRT or ICN with United/Korean Air is sometimes 15-20% cheaper than the PAL nonstop, kapag flexible ka sa schedule.

Carriers compared

Fare bracket (peso-first)

• Low (Feb-Mar, Sep-early Nov): PHP 52,000-68,000 (USD 930-1,215).
• Mid (May-Jul, late Oct): PHP 70,000-95,000 (USD 1,250-1,700).
• Peak (Dec 1-Jan 8 Pasko, June reunions): PHP 110,000-150,000 (USD 1,965-2,680).

Balikbayan-specific notes

Kabayan, the December rush is no joke — book by August para tipid. PAL’s two-bag US allowance (32 kg each on Premium Economy, 23 kg on Economy) is hard to beat for balikbayan-box runs. Bring a printed copy of your I-94 record at green card / visa, kasi US CBP pre-clearance starts at NAIA Terminal 1. Pasalubong tip: Philippine snacks, dried mangoes, at chocolate are usually fine through US customs, pero meat products at fresh fruit are confiscated. Bayanihan Care reps at NAIA help OFs with first-time US travel paperwork.

FAQ

Magkano ang ticket Manila to LA? Roughly PHP 55,000-85,000 (USD 980-1,520) roundtrip economy off-peak; Pasko peak hits PHP 110,000-150,000.

Anong airline ang nag-fly nonstop sa LAX? PAL lang ang nonstop, twice-daily. UA at DL connect via Tokyo or Seoul — minsan mas mura pero may layover.

Pwede ba magdala ng balikbayan box sa flight? Yes — PAL allows 2x32 kg on US routes (Premium Economy) at 2x23 kg Economy. Door-to-door cargo is mas mura pero 6-8 weeks tagal.

Kailan pinaka-mura ang flight? February-March at September-October. Avoid Nov-Jan Pasko at June graduation season.

Related guides on this site

• Balikbayan flights from the Philippines →
• Flights to United States →
• Philippine Airlines carrier guide →
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) →

Updated 9 May 2026. FlyPilipinas is a 14-person Filipino editorial team; content is researched and edited by Filipino travel and OFW specialists. About the author →.