Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the acquisition of nine additional A350-1000 aircraft, with purchase rights for five more, reinforcing the Philippine flag carrier’s commitment to long-haul growth and fleet modernization.
The agreement was announced during the Farnborough International Airshow by Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings, Inc., Richard Nuttall, President of Philippine Airlines, together with Lars Wagner, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
The order will increase PAL’s A350-1000 fleet and position the aircraft as the airline’s flagship for long-haul operations. “The A350-1000 will continue to define the future of our international operations for many years to come,” said Lucio C. Tan III in a statement datelined Farnborough, United Kingdom. “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 Airbus A350-1000 on key long-haul routes, including nonstop flights from Manila to New York and Toronto, and seven more from the batch ordered in 2023 are expected to be delivered by 2028.
“We are proud that PAL is strongly expanding its A350-1000 flagship fleet, flying the flag of the Philippines across the world,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry. “This agreement marks an important milestone in deepening our partnership with Philippine Airlines. Being the long-range leader, the A350-1000 is the perfect platform for the airline to build its future long-haul network and meet continued growth, especially in competitive premium transpacific markets. We look forward to finalizing this new order soon.”
Configured in a three-class layout, PAL’s A350-1000 offers a premium onboard experience featuring Business Class suites with privacy doors, a dedicated Premium Economy cabin, and an enhanced Economy Class product, complemented by the latest inflight entertainment and connectivity systems.
The aircraft also supports PAL’s sustainability objectives. The A350-1000 incorporates advanced composite materials and next-generation aerodynamics, delivering significant reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft.
The purchase rights for five additional aircraft provide PAL with flexibility to support future fleet requirements and market opportunities.
PAL expects this second batch of Airbus A350-1000 orders to be delivered from 2034 to 2036.
