PAL doubles down after Boeing deal with order for 9 more Airbus A350-1000 jets

Insider Spotlight

• Back-to-back deals: PAL followed its commitment to acquire up to 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners with an order for nine more Airbus A350-1000s at Farnborough.
• Long-term growth: The new A350-1000s are scheduled for delivery from 2034 to 2036, with purchase rights for five more aircraft.
• Flagship fleet: The A350-1000 will remain PAL’s flagship for ultra long-haul routes as it expands its international network.

Philippine Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, a day after announcing plans to acquire up to 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, accelerating one of the airline’s biggest long-haul fleet renewal programs in years.

The agreement also includes purchase rights for five more A350-1000s, with the second batch scheduled for delivery between 2034 and 2036, extending the carrier’s fleet expansion well into the next decade.

The deal was announced Tuesday at the Farnborough International Airshow by PAL Holdings president and chief operating officer Lucio C. Tan III, Philippine Airlines president Richard Nuttall, Airbus Commercial Aircraft chief executive Lars Wagner and Airbus executive vice president for sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry.

A350 remains PAL’s flagship

“The A350-1000 will continue to define the future of our international operations for many years to come,” Tan said.

“As the first and currently the only airline in Southeast Asia to operate the Airbus A350-1000, Philippine Airlines has experienced firsthand the aircraft’s exceptional range, fuel efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort. It has expanded our reach across North America, while delivering the world-class travel experience our customers deserve.”

PAL currently operates two A350-1000 aircraft on nonstop flights from Manila to New York and Toronto, while seven more from its 2023 order are scheduled for delivery by 2028.

The latest agreement will further expand the A350-1000 fleet, cementing the aircraft as the airline’s flagship for ultra long-haul operations while complementing its planned Boeing 787-10 fleet.

Premium transpacific push

Configured in a three-class layout, the A350-1000 features business class suites with privacy doors, a dedicated premium economy cabin and an upgraded economy class product, alongside the latest inflight entertainment and connectivity systems.

The aircraft also supports PAL’s sustainability goals through advanced composite materials and next-generation aerodynamics that reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft.

Airbus executive vice president for sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry said the agreement deepens Airbus’ partnership with Philippine Airlines and positions the A350-1000 to support the carrier’s continued growth, particularly in competitive premium transpacific markets.

—Edited by Miguel R. Camus