Sixty years ago, a Philippine Airlines DC-8 named Mabuhay touched down in Sydney carrying 86 passengers on the first direct flight between Sydney and Manila. It was 1965. The Beatles were touring, the Opera House was still under construction, and for the first time, Australians could fly direct to Manila.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has marked 60 years of Sydney–Manila flights with more than memories. The carrier has unveiled a refreshed trade strategy, new aircraft on the way and a sale designed to grow outbound travel from Australia, signalling strong confidence in this market.
A proud history in motion
Philippine Airlines President Richard Nuttall in Sydney for the commemoration, called the milestone “a celebration of connection”.
“We’ve shared countless Mabuhay Moments and connected families, businesses and travellers alike,” he said.
“As we look to the next 60 years, our focus remains on service and care that travellers can feel every time they fly.”
Consul Sheila Marie Tario from the Philippine Consulate brought that theme to life with a personal story of her first Philippine Airlines flight decades ago, a memory anchored not in luxury but in warmth.
“It was the small things, the way the crew checked in, the kindness in their words,” she recalled. “That’s when I understood why PAL calls itself the Heart of the Filipino.”
The numbers tell their own story. In 1965, Philippine Airlines operated two flights a week. Today, it connects Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth with Manila through daily services that link the two nations’ growing tourism industries. Nearly 300,000 Australians visited the Philippines in 2024, across all airlines, and with more capacity and better connectivity, that figure is set to grow.
What’s changing: fleet renewal, reliability and reach
As the champagne flowed in Sydney, Vice President of Sales Justin Warby shared updates on PAL’s modernisation plan, beginning with the arrival of nine Airbus A350-1000s from December. The aircraft will feature a new business-class layout alongside Premium Economy and Economy cabins. Another 18 aircraft are being refitted, and 13 A321neos will join from 2026. While these aircraft are not dedicated to Australian routes, their improved efficiency and consistency could benefit travel agents through better global connectivity, schedule stability and premium product alignment across PAL’s network.
Reliability has also been a focus. PAL now ranks among the top-performing airlines in Asia-Pacific for on-time performance, Warby said.
“This year, in the months of August and April, we were the number one on-time performing airline in the whole of Asia-Pacific, beating all the airlines in Australia,” he added, a turnaround Warby credits to “listening to our customers and the travel trade”.
NDC: the headline change for Australian agents
For the travel trade, PAL’s rollout of NDC (New Distribution Capability) is the key development. “If you are a partner to NDC, you will get benefits,” Warby said, noting that the airline now holds an Airline Retailing Maturity certificate.
Agents can connect through an API, a booking engine, or aggregators such as Travel Fusion. Those who join the program gain access to richer content, tailored incentives and fare advantages not available through traditional GDS channels.
The system went live in June and is already used by several Australian partners. Warby emphasised that NDC is not only about distribution but about collaboration. “We reward people who help us grow the NDC channel,” he said.
Australia: a growing priority market
PAL’s strategy reflects renewed confidence in Australia. The airline’s four-city footprint supports not just outbound leisure but inbound tourism, trade and visiting friends and relatives travel. The Philippines has become Australia’s fourth-largest inbound source market in Southeast Asia, while Sydney remains one of PAL’s strongest performing long-haul routes.
To mark the milestone, PAL launched an anniversary sale from 13–19 October 2025, offering return Sydney–Manila fares from $929 for travel from 1 February 2026. The campaign, themed “Create your Mabuhay Moment,” ties the airline’s heritage to a new generation of travellers.
The next chapter
Looking ahead, PAL plans to add six new international destinations in 2026, expand its loyalty program Mabuhay Miles, and deepen regional partnerships.
From that first DC-8 to a fleet of next-gen A350s, Philippine Airlines continues to evolve. For travel advisors, the opportunity is clear: new aircraft, more reliability, and digital distribution designed to make selling the Philippines, and beyond, easier than ever.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Philippine Airlines’ 60-year milestone signals more than history. It marks a reset for the Australian market. With improved reliability and NDC benefits, agents can expect sharper tools, more content and stronger reasons to sell the Philippines.
