【July 27, 2026 update】 Alaska Airlines Atmos awards are now bookable, with plenty of space.

Route / Atmos miles required Economy Business
Vancouver – Manila 37.5k + $64 75k + $64
Vancouver – Manila – Shanghai 65k + $79 130k + $79
Toronto – Manila 42.5K + $77 85k + $77
Toronto – Manila – Shanghai 65K + $92 130k + $92
Toronto to Shanghai via Manila
YYZ – MNL – PVG
Vancouver to Shanghai via Manila
YVR – MNL – PVG

On the Vancouver route, space shows up almost every day, often with multiple seats. Toronto currently has fewer dates available.

Alaska Airlines Atmos awards on Philippine Airlines

【June 7, 2026 update】 British Airways Avios can already book Philippine Airlines. The rates are not cheap.

Vancouver – Manila

Avios award from Vancouver to Manila

Toronto – Manila

Avios award from Toronto to Manila

In June 2026, oneworld — one of the three global airline alliances — announced that Philippine Airlines (PAL, PR) had signed a joining agreement and is expected to become a full member in 2027. PAL would then be oneworld’s 16th member airline, and the second full member in Southeast Asia after Malaysia Airlines.

Further reading: The three global airline alliances — Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam

For travellers who regularly use Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, American Airlines AAdvantage, British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, or Japan Airlines’ JAL Mileage Bank, this is a meaningful upgrade.

What PAL Joining oneworld Means

Once integration is complete, Philippine Airlines will share the usual oneworld benefits with fellow members:

  • Reciprocal mileage earning and redemption
  • Reciprocal elite benefits
  • Priority check-in and priority boarding
  • Through-checked bags
  • Access to alliance airport lounges

For North American travellers, the bigger point is that PAL becomes another bridge between North America and Asia.

oneworld says Philippine Airlines will add 31 Philippine domestic and international destinations to the alliance network, strengthening coverage across Asia.

Manila: An Underrated Asian Hub

For years, many Chinese travellers heading home have defaulted to:

  • Tokyo (Japan Airlines, ANA)
  • Seoul (Korean Air, Asiana)
  • Taipei (China Airlines, EVA Air)
  • Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific)

With PAL joining oneworld, Manila (MNL) is worth a closer look.

The Philippines sits at the junction of East and Southeast Asia. Flying from North America to the Philippines, then connecting to cities in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, is a reasonable itinerary — and the cash fares are often decent.

Philippine Airlines route map

Philippine Airlines’ North American Gateways

PAL already serves the main Chinese-community markets in North America, including:

Canada

  • Vancouver (YVR)
  • Toronto (YYZ)

Both Vancouver and Toronto have nonstop flights to Manila, which makes them among the easiest Canadian departure cities.

United States

  • Los Angeles (LAX)
  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Seattle (SEA)
  • New York JFK
  • Honolulu (HNL)

Los Angeles and San Francisco remain PAL’s most important North American gateways.

Connecting Home to China via Manila

For many Chinese travellers in North America, the practical question is:

Can you get back to China conveniently on Philippine Airlines via Manila?

Yes.

PAL currently serves several cities in China, including:

Mainland China

  • Beijing (PEK)
  • Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
  • Guangzhou (CAN)
  • Xiamen (XMN)

Other Greater China destinations

  • Hong Kong (HKG)
  • Taipei (TPE)
  • Kaohsiung (KHH)

That means travellers on the Canadian and U.S. West Coasts can build itineraries such as:

Vancouver / Toronto / Los Angeles / San Francisco → Manila → mainland China

That combination is especially useful in peak periods such as summer and Chinese New Year, when nonstop fares to China are high. Connecting in Manila can be the better-value option. It also gives North American travellers another mileage-redemption path home.

The Takeaway

Philippine Airlines joining oneworld will not get the same attention as Qatar Airways or Japan Airlines. For Chinese travellers in North America, though, it is a practical addition.

With nonstops from Vancouver, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and New York, plus destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hong Kong, and Taipei, Manila is well placed to become an important connecting hub on the way home.

If you hold miles with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, or Japan Airlines, start watching PAL’s value inside oneworld. Next time you head back, a Manila connection may turn out to be the better deal.