Philippine Airlines Finalizes Order for Nine Airbus A350-1000s

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has finalized its purchase agreement with Airbus for nine A350-1000 long-range aircraft. The agreement was signed during the Paris Air Show by representatives from both companies. The A350-1000 will be used for non-stop flights from Manila to North America, including the East Coast of the US and Canada. PAL already has two A350-900s in service.

The A350-1000 will feature a three-class layout with separate cabins for Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. The economy cabin will have 10-abreast seating. The twinjets will be configured with a total of 380 seats in three classes, including 24 in the premium-economy cabin and 42 in business. The new aircraft will replace the airline’s Boeing 777-300ERs on long-haul routes to North America and Europe and will join the two A350-900s that already fly for the Philippine flag carrier.

According to Captain Stanley K. Ng, President and COO of PAL, the A350-1000 will provide the airline with the capability to closely match capacity to demand on long routes while reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The purchase of these modern aircraft aligns with PAL’s commitment to offer passengers the best travel experience.

Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, expressed gratitude for PAL’s ongoing confidence in Airbus and stated that the A350 has set new standards for efficiency, passenger comfort, and sustainability. The A350 family has received nearly 1,000 orders from 50 customers, with 450 already delivered and in service with 28 airlines worldwide.

The A350-1000 is the largest member of the A350 family, featuring a maximum take-off weight of 319 tonnes and a range of up to 8,700 nautical miles. It is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, known for their reliability and efficiency.

The acquisition of these nine A350-1000 aircraft will further enhance PAL’s widebody fleet and enable the airline to expand its network and connect the world while contributing to the Philippine economy and society.