Philippine Airlines orders nine A350-1000s

Philippine Airlines and Airbus have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of nine A350-1000 aircraft, aiming to bolster the airline’s non-stop US services and potentially resume flights to Europe.

Delivery of the ordered planes is expected to take place between the fourth quarter of 2025 and 2027. The airline confirmed that the A350-1000s would feature a three-class configuration, including business, premium economy, and economy classes. However, the exact number of seats was not disclosed.

These new A350-1000s will primarily serve routes to the United States and Canada, enabling non-stop flights to both the West and East Coast. Philippine Airlines stated, “These will include some of the longest commercial flights in the world, such as those linking the Philippines with New York and Toronto Pearson. With an expanded A350 fleet, PAL will have the ability to once again provide a direct link from the Philippines to Europe.”

The airline’s current North American network consists of flights from Manila Ninoy Aquino International to Los Angeles International (operated twice daily with 777-300ERs), New York JFK (four times weekly with A350-900s), San Francisco (daily with 777-300ERs), Toronto (twice weekly with A350-900s), Vancouver International (daily with 777-300ERs), and Honolulu (five times weekly with A330-300s). The flights to JFK and Toronto have outbound durations of around 16 hours and inbound durations of approximately 17 hours.

Philippine Airlines ceased its London Heathrow service in March 2022, which was previously operated utilizing A350-900s and 777-300ERs.

Before the pandemic, the airline had been assessing the A350-1000, but the subsequent crisis compelled them to abandon their plans for the larger model and reduce their A350-900 fleet. Out of the six leased aircraft, Philippine Airlines retired four between 2021 and 2022. Presently, their widebody fleet comprises two A350-900s, ten A330-300s, and nine 777-300ERs.