Philippines Sees A Travel Boom As Business And Economy-Class Ticket Sales Surge With More Filipino Passengers Flying To The United States, Hong Kong And Thailand

Philippines sees a surge in business and economy-class travel as more Filipinos fly to the United States, Hong Kong, and Thailand amid rising tourism and upgrades.

Filipino Travelers Increasingly Opt for Business-Class Flights as Demand for U.S. and Asian Destinations Surges

MANILA, Philippines — While economy class remains the top choice for Filipino airline passengers traveling to the United States and key Asian destinations, an increasing number of travelers are now splurging on business-class seats, according to a recent report by travel company Trevolution Group.

Strong Growth in Airfare Sales Across All Classes
Trevolution’s latest data reveals that economy-class ticket sales, which made up 94 percent of total bookings, surged by 36 percent last year, reaching $200.19 million. Meanwhile, business-class ticket sales climbed by 10.5 percent, generating $12.56 million over the same period.

The most popular international destinations for Filipino travelers remained the United States, Hong Kong, and Thailand, with family vacations, adventure tourism, cultural experiences, and long weekend getaways driving increased travel activity.

Changing Travel Patterns and Extended Stays
Round-trip tickets accounted for 87.3 percent of total bookings in 2024, slightly lower than 90.1 percent in 2023, while one-way ticket sales saw a significant jump—32 percent for outbound flights and 39 percent for return flights. Filipino travelers also tended to extend their stays, averaging up to 36 days at their destinations.

Philippines Strengthens Tourism Ties and Expands Infrastructure
The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently signed a cooperation agreement with Thailand to enhance travel between the two countries, focusing on joint tourism promotions, sustainable tourism initiatives, and cultural heritage exchanges.

On the infrastructure front, the Philippine government continues to upgrade airport facilities to accommodate increasing passenger volumes. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is now under the management of a San Miguel Corp.-led consortium, ensuring improved operations and efficiency. Meanwhile, Aboitiz Group is spearheading developments at Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport, further enhancing the country’s aviation sector.

With these developments, Filipino travelers can expect enhanced travel experiences, better connectivity, and more options for both economy and business-class flights in the years ahead.