Why flights from US to the Philippines are getting cheaper
FLUSHING, N.Y. – When Philippine Airlines launched its service in New York beginning in March 2015, most carriers flying to the Philippines lowered their prices.
Usually costing more than a thousand dollars, a roundtrip ticket to the Philippines now averages $800.
Eva Air, Japanese Air, Korean Air, and Asiana all dropped rates from Feb. 6 to May 15 to catch up in the price race.
“Most of the airlines that fly to the Philippines from the US really lowered their prices. It came to a point where flights from the east coast were lower compared to flights from the west coast,” Mango Tours’ Earl Francisco said.
Francisco added that the airlines’ competition to attract Filipino passengers has only one winner – the Filipino passenger.
“Before when you went home to the Philippines, you’d be left without any pocket money after paying for the ticket,” Francisco said. “Now you can have extra pocket money to share with your family.”
The competition continues with Korean Air announcing its latest ticket price drop: $366 for a one way ticket to Manila beginning Friday.
But according to travel experts, these huge drops in airline ticket prices may only be temporary.
Those lower fares will gradually rise again, but possibly not as high as they had been.
“It will still apply even after the peak season,” Francisco said. “So those who have plans to go home for Christmas, if they buy now it will be cheaper.
Travel experts say, the more competition, the better for the Filipino balikbayan flyers.
Read more on Balitang America.
