Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced on Tuesday that the airline is temporarily unable to accept non-immigrant visitors to the United States (US) who are traveling under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) pursuant to Title 8, U.S.C. § 1187(a)(5). The airline is currently in coordination with US Customs Border Protection regarding this matter.
According to PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, the majority of PAL passengers, in particular Filipinos with valid US visas and US citizens or residents, are unaffected and they are permitted to board their flights to the United States.
For VWP passengers traveling to the US under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), PAL will assist them (via email notification or guidance) to ensure that they fly to their destination via alternative flights, with the following options:
Primary Option: Transfer to Another Airline
"We are prepared to assist you in identifying suitable alternative flights with other airlines that are able to carry VWP passengers at this time. Kindly note that we strongly advise against purchasing tickets independently from another airline; PAL will manage the transfer process for you," PAL stated.
Alternative Option: Travel Credits or Refund:
"As an alternative, you may opt to refund your tickets or convert the value of your tickets into travel credits, which will be valid for future ticket purchases for a period of two years. Rest assured that we are continuing to work with the U.S. authorities on the full renewal of our VWP arrangement," PAL added.
Villaluna further said that passengers may also reach PAL through https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/about-us/contact-us/global-reservation-hotline.
