United Airlines flight UA191 arrived more than an hour ahead of schedule at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday morning, its first inaugural direct journey from San Francisco, carrying 325 passengers on board.
The new non-stop service between Manila and San Francisco, using Boeing B777-300ER aircraft, received a warm reception as a water cannon salute greeted the arrival of the Boeing B777ER at the country's main gateway.
This new daily and direct flight service makes "this route more accessible and convenient for tourists, business travelers, and returning overseas Filipinos."
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Department of Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim, Department of Tourism Regional Director Sharlene Batin and American Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe with United Airlines executives warmly welcomed UA191 flight crew and celebrate the inaugural flight at the airport's boarding gate, shortly before UA190 departs from NAIA Terminal 3 to San Francisco.
The aircraft has 60 seats in the United Polaris business cabin, 24 seats in the United Plus cabin, and 266 seats in the United Economy cabin.
The Chicago-based carrier's new route becomes the only US airline to fly between the contiguous US and the Philippines, although it is actually the airline's second route to Manila. United already flies daily to Manila from its Micronesian base at Guam International Airport on Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles.
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