London to Manila is a long haul with a real choice: Philippine Airlines flies non-stop from Heathrow in around 14 hours, or you can save money on a one-stop itinerary through the Gulf or Singapore. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in pounds, and when to book for the best price.
Route: London (LHR) → Manila, Ninoy Aquino International (MNL)
Distance: approximately 10,770 km (6,690 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 13h 50m – 14h 10m eastbound
Direct flights: Yes — Philippine Airlines flies non-stop from Heathrow, several times a week. One-stop options are cheaper, but not the ones usually recommended: in our fare check the low fares were China Southern from Gatwick via Guangzhou at £418–£941 and Air China from £414, while Qatar was £954.
Fares from London to Manila (GBP)
Manila is a year-round destination, but fares track the Philippine seasons and the big holidays. The dry season (roughly November to April) and the Christmas peak — when overseas Filipinos travel home — are the priciest; the wet season (June to October) is the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds; the lowest are usually one-stop itineraries, with the Heathrow non-stop sitting toward the higher end.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high |
| February | — | medium-high |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium-high |
| May | — | medium |
| June | — | low |
| July | — | medium (school holidays) |
| August | — | medium |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | low-medium |
| November | — | medium-high |
| December | — | very high (holidays) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, this page’s core anchors hold: a strong one-stop fare lands around £400–£480 (the floor is £414), a typical fair price is roughly £500 (the median is £494) and anything under about £480 is worth booking quickly. Two corrections: nothing sells in the £300s, and the carriers that reach those low fares are China Southern via Guangzhou and Air China, both out of Gatwick — not the Gulf airlines, which were £869–£954.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 14 hours):
- Philippine Airlines — the only non-stop, Heathrow → Manila on the Boeing 777 / Airbus A350, several times a week; direct in both directions.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 16–20 hours total):
- China Southern from Gatwick via Guangzhou — four fifths of the cheapest fares at £418–£941, and the quickest one-stop we found at about 15h 35m.
- Air China via Beijing or Chengdu — the outright floor at £414–£443, on a longer 19- to 21-hour routing.
- Turkish Airlines from Stansted via Istanbul — £869–£888 when we checked, roughly double the median rather than among the lowest fares.
- Qatar Airways via Doha — frequent and highly rated, but the dearest fare in our check at £954.
- Emirates via Dubai, Singapore Airlines via Changi and Etihad via Abu Dhabi — comfortable ways to break the journey, though none appeared among the cheapest fares we found.
The one-stop carriers do undercut the non-stop, though no Philippine Airlines fare appeared among the hundred cheapest we checked, so we will not put a figure on the gap. If time and simplicity matter most, book the Philippine Airlines non-stop; if price is the priority, a single stop through Doha, Dubai or Singapore is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; long-haul fares to Manila rarely improve at the last minute.
- Avoid the Christmas peak — December is by far the busiest and most expensive time, as overseas Filipinos fly home for the holidays; book several months out if you must travel then.
- Travel in the wet season (June–October) for the lowest fares; the rain usually comes in short heavy bursts rather than all day.
- Check checked-bag rules: full-service and Gulf carriers to Manila usually include 25–30 kg, but the cheapest “light” fares may not — compare the all-in price.
- Consider onward domestic flights: if you’re heading to Cebu, Palawan or Boracay, booking the international and domestic legs together can simplify baggage and connections.
Arriving in Manila
You land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), about 7 km south of Makati and the main business districts. It has several terminals — Philippine Airlines uses its own international terminal, so check which one your ticket and any onward flight use, as they’re a short shuttle or taxi apart. The simplest way into the city is an airport taxi or a ride-hailing car (roughly £8–£15 to Makati, more in heavy traffic), or the official coupon-taxi desks. Manila traffic is notoriously slow, so allow plenty of time — the short distance can still take an hour at busy periods.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Manila?
The non-stop flight from London Heathrow to Manila takes about 13 hours 50 minutes to 14 hours 10 minutes eastbound, and a little longer coming back. One-stop itineraries through Doha, Dubai or Singapore typically take 16 to 20 hours in total, depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from London to Manila?
Yes. Philippine Airlines flies non-stop from London Heathrow to Manila, several times a week, in both directions. It’s the only carrier operating the route direct — and if you’d rather save money, the cheap connections in our fare check were Air China from £414 and China Southern from Gatwick via Guangzhou at £418, which is also the quickest one-stop at about 15h 35m. The Gulf carriers were the expensive option, at £869–£954.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Manila?
A typical economy return runs about £490–£869, median £494, with the fares we could price spanning £414–£954. The best one-stop deals start at £414 on Air China and £418 on China Southern in the wet season (June–October). The Gulf and Istanbul routings were the expensive end at £869–£954, and the December holiday peak pushes everything up.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Manila?
June and September are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns started at £414. Avoid December, which is the busiest and most expensive month as overseas Filipinos travel home for Christmas.
Which airlines fly from London to Manila?
Non-stop: Philippine Airlines from Heathrow. One-stop, cheapest first in our fare data: Air China from Gatwick or Heathrow via Beijing or Chengdu (£414–£443, the floor), China Southern from Gatwick via Guangzhou (£418–£941, four fifths of the cheapest fares and the quickest routing at about 15h 35m), Turkish Airlines from Stansted via Istanbul (£869–£888) and Qatar Airways via Doha (£954). Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Etihad also connect the route but none of them appeared among the cheapest when we checked. Note that the Gulf and Istanbul routings were the dearest here, not the cheapest.
Which airport do I fly into in Manila?
You arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), about 7 km from Makati. It has multiple terminals, so check which one your flight (and any onward domestic connection) uses — they’re linked by shuttle and short taxi rides, but you’ll want to know before you land.
How far in advance should I book London to Manila flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead. Long-haul fares to Manila tend to rise closer to departure, especially around the November–April dry season and the Christmas peak, so early booking almost always saves money.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday-to-Sunday flights, and flying out and back midweek can save £40–£100 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
