Heads Up: PAL Is Resuming Nonstop Flights to Sapporo This November

(SPOT.ph) We’re somehow already nearing the halfway point of 2026 (seriously, where did the year go?), which means it’s time to start locking in those well-deserved holiday plans. And as we all know, Japan is always a good idea. If you’ve been dreaming of a snowy Christmas vacation, then you’re in luck: Philippine Airlines (PAL) is officially bringing back its seasonal, nonstop flights between Manila and Sapporo starting this November.

Here is everything to know about PAL’s Manila-Sapporo flights coming back at the end of the year. (And how you can book starting now.)

From November 23, 2026, to March 26, 2027, travelers can fly nonstop flights between Manila and New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, Hokkaido, for Japan’s winter season. The seasonal route runs three times a week throughout the winter. Flights clock in at roughly five and a half hours between Manila and Sapporo, while the return trip takes closer to six hours.

The best part? The flight schedules were designed to make the most of every moment of your well-deserved vacation. Flights leave Manila in the morning and touch down in Sapporo by midday, so you arrive exactly in time to check into your hotel and immediately start sightseeing in the afternoon. On the other hand, returning flights leave Sapporo just past noon, giving you plenty of time to enjoy one final, leisurely breakfast before heading to the airport.

For these flights, PAL is deploying its Airbus A321neo, which offers full-service perks such as curated onboard meals, in-flight entertainment, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

• Manila to Sapporo (PR 406)

  • Departure from Manila: 6:30 a.m.

  • Arrival in Sapporo: 12:15 p.m.

  • Operating three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

• Sapporo to Manila (PR 405)

  • Departure from Sapporo: 1:15 p.m.

  • Arrival in Manila: 6:10 p.m.

  • Operating three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

PAL originally launched its direct link between Manila and Sapporo in 2018, but was forced to pause the service when travel halted during the pandemic. Thankfully, the airline officially revived it last year as a seasonal winter offering.

Standard one-way flights generally range between USD 438 and 615, or around P26,970. However, a quick search on the Philippine Airlines website reveals that you can score deals dropping as low as USD 303, which is approximately P18,657.

Depending on how much luggage you plan to take home, you can choose between Economy options ranging from Supersaver to Flex. Business Class is also up for grabs if you want to travel with premium perks like priority check-in and lounge access.

Sapporo is the fifth-largest city in Japan, the capital of Hokkaido known for its unspoiled natural scenery and thriving food scene. In winter, which runs from December through March, snow blankets the entire city in soft white powder and twinkling lights.

For Filipinos, it’s easily one of the best destinations to experience the picture-perfect White Christmas our inner children have been dreaming about for years. If you time your visit for February, you’ll catch the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival, an annual festival that takes over the city center with hundreds of massive, intricately carved snow and ice sculptures.

Sapporo is also a fantastic playground for trying skiing for the first time or indulging in a relaxing onsen between sightseeing.

Beyond the winter activities, Sapporo is also the perfect base for exploring the Hokkaido prefecture's culture and sights. History buffs can step back in time at the Historical Village of Hokkaido, while stops like Sapporo Beer Museum and Shiroi Koibito Park pay homage to beer and chocolate. For those willing to venture a little further out, you can take a dreamy day trip to see the surreal, frozen landscapes of Biei’s Blue Pond, or explore the dreamy canal town of Otaru.

As the airline with the largest network of flights between the Philippines and Japan, PAL has plenty of options to get you to your favorite cities. Aside from Sapporo, the flag carrier flies nonstop to Osaka Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Tokyo Haneda, and Tokyo Narita. The carrier also offers direct flights out of Cebu to both Osaka and Tokyo Narita.

For those preparing their travel plans for the latter part of 2026, expect even more options for the year-end holiday rush. PAL is also increasing its flight frequencies on both the Manila–Osaka and Manila–Narita routes. The added flights will run from December 19 to January 11, making it easier to lock in peak Christmas and New Year travel dates.

For more information, visit the Philippines Airlines website.

Also read: Sapporo Travel: Things to Do in and Around Hokkaido's Capital