PAL to resume flights to Sapporo in November

MANILA, Philippines —  Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is returning to the winter wonderland of Sapporo, hoping to stir interest among Filipinos to visit one of Japan’s best snow places.

PAL yesterday announced that it is resuming its seasonal flights between Manila and Sapporo in November to offer travelers direct access to Japan’s winter paradise.

The flight schedule starts on Nov. 23 and will end on March 26, 2027. PAL will be running the service thrice weekly, with morning departures in Manila and midday arrivals in Sapporo.

PAL will deploy an Airbus A321neo for the flight, capable of seating up to 168 passengers – 12 in business class and 156 in economy cabin. The airline said business class travelers can expect a full-service offering of curated meals, in-flight entertainment and WiFi access.

The service lands directly at the New Chitose Airport, eliminating the need for guests headed to Sapporo to book multiple connections. Further, the flight allows travelers to maximize their day, as it arrives early in the afternoon.

Sapporo has become one of the most popular destinations in Japan during the winter season, as it offers a sleepy atmosphere beneath its snowy landscapes.

Moreover, Sapporo is home to the Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan’s premier winter festivity, held in February annually, gathering more than two million tourists for a seven-day event.

Sapporo is also the home of Japan’s oldest beer brand, so the city maintains a museum dedicated for brewery tasting and walking tours.

Apart from the resumption of Manila flights to Sapporo, PAL is increasing its flight frequency to Narita and Osaka from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11, 2027. Among overseas destinations, Japan is one of the most preferred countries by Filipinos to visit during the Christmas season.

PAL is the country’s biggest carrier flying between the Philippines and Japan. To date, the airline operates Manila services to Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo via Haneda and Narita.

PAL also sends out direct flights from Cebu to Osaka and Tokyo, enabling travelers from Visayas and Mindanao to reach Japan without flying through Manila.