Philippine Airlines – The first airline in Asia – Today in History : July 31, 1946
On July 31, 1946, the Philippine Airlines (PAL) claimed the official title of being the first Asian airline to cross the Pacific Ocean, departing from the then Nielson Airport in Makati to the U.S. mainland with a DC-4 aircraft.
After that, PAL started its official service between Manila and San Francisco in December 1946. Other international flights to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Taipei followed in April 1953.
Earlier, deeply involved in shaping the course of the country’s historic events, PAL began its flight on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model 18 aircraft, making one flight daily between Manila and Baguio, amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia’s first airline.
Now, PAL has become one of the most respected airlines around the world with a young and modern fleet of aircraft and a route network that spans 31 foreign cities and 30 domestic points.
