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Airfare

Cheap flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Manila in December 2026

Quick answer

The cheapest LAX to Manila round-trip fares in December 2026 run $1,000–$1,300 in early-month shoulder; Christmas-week peaks $1,400–$2,000. Philippine Airlines flies nonstop; one-stop options via Tokyo, Seoul, or Taipei price $100–$250 lower. Book 10–14 weeks ahead.

Last updated

Fare ranges by date window

Sample round-trip and one-way fare ranges by week, with common airlines and notes.
Date windowTrip typeSample fare rangeCommon airlinesNotes
Dec 1 – Dec 14, 2026Round-trip$1,000–$1,300Philippine Airlines, United, Korean AirCheapest window — early-December before Filipino-American diaspora travel ramps.
Dec 15 – Dec 22, 2026Round-trip$1,200–$1,500Philippine Airlines, JAL, ANAPre-Christmas demand window — book ≥4 weeks ahead.
Dec 23 – Dec 31, 2026Round-trip$1,400–$2,000Philippine Airlines, United, EVA AirChristmas/New Year peak — diaspora-visit demand stacks; nonstop seats sell first.
Jan 1 – Jan 5, 2027 (return)Round-trip$1,200–$1,600Philippine Airlines, Korean Air, JALPost-New-Year return window — outbound prices ease but return seats from MNL stay scarce.

When to search

One-way range
$540–$1,100
Round-trip range
$1,000–$2,000
Cheapest observed
$1,000 (round-trip, observed May 1, 2026)
Best window in the table
Dec 1 – Dec 14, 2026

Philippine Airlines runs the only LAX-MNL nonstop service in December 2026. Connecting itineraries via Tokyo (JAL/ANA), Seoul (Korean Air), Taipei (EVA Air), or Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific) typically save $100–$250 round-trip but add 4–7 hours of travel time and one mis-connection risk. Tokyo connections are usually the fastest non-direct option.

When to call

December LAX-MNL travel is dominated by Filipino-American diaspora visiting family during US holiday windows. The public search results are accurate for standard nonstop and connecting itineraries. Where calling 1-800-AIRFARE may help: when dates are fixed across Christmas/New Year (Dec 23 – Jan 2), when a family of four or more needs seats together on the long Pacific-leg flight, when baggage is heavy because of holiday gifts (Filipino diaspora travel notably runs heavy on baggage), or when a separate-tickets strategy via Tokyo or Seoul is being considered. Agents can also check group fares for 5+ travelers and combined-carrier routings that single-airport searches may not surface. Calling cannot guarantee a lower fare; it is about checking options that may not appear in a standard search.

Nearby airports worth pricing

  • San Francisco (SFO)348 mi away

    Alternative West Coast gateway — UA/PAL nonstop options sometimes price below LAX during peak weeks. Worth pricing if a domestic positioning leg is acceptable.

  • Santa Ana (SNA)35 mi away

    Domestic-only — useful only as a positioning leg under a separate-tickets strategy (SNA to a US hub, then hub to MNL on a separate ticket).

Typical connecting hubs

HND, NRT, ICN, TPE, HKG

Frequently asked questions

When are LAX to Manila flights cheapest in December 2026?
The first two weeks of December are cheapest — round-trip from $1,000 between Dec 1 and Dec 14. Pricing peaks Dec 23 – Jan 2 with diaspora-visit demand. Booking 10–14 weeks ahead typically lands the lower end.
Is there a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Manila?
Yes — Philippine Airlines operates LAX-MNL nonstop service in December 2026. Total flight time is approximately 14 hours. Connecting itineraries via Tokyo (JAL, ANA), Seoul (Korean Air), Taipei (EVA Air), or Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific) typically save $100–$250 but add 4–7 hours.
What baggage rules apply on LAX to Manila flights?
Philippine Airlines economy typically includes 2 checked bags up to 23 kg each on transpacific routes — generous for diaspora travelers carrying gifts. Connecting carriers (JAL, ANA, Korean Air) generally include 2 checked bags as well; basic-economy fares may include only carry-on. Always confirm on the operating airline.
Do U.S. citizens need a visa for the Philippines?
No — U.S. citizens may enter the Philippines visa-free for stays up to 30 days. Six months of passport validity beyond entry is required, plus proof of onward travel. Confirm the current rules before booking.
Why are December LAX to Manila flights so expensive in the last two weeks?
Filipino-American diaspora travel for Christmas and New Year stacks against high baseline US holiday demand. Round-trip fares run $400–$700 above early-December shoulder pricing on both nonstop and connecting itineraries. Returning Jan 5 or later instead of Jan 1–2 often saves $150–$250.
Can I get a refund if my December flight to Manila is cancelled?
Refundability depends on fare rules. Philippine Airlines and most connecting carriers (JAL, ANA, Korean Air) make economy fares non-refundable except for involuntary cancellations; basic-economy is non-refundable and non-changeable. If the airline cancels or significantly reschedules, you are typically entitled to a full refund or rebooking.