PAL brings PH aviation to latest technology level
Published Jul 16, 2018 12:00 am
By LORETO D. CABAÑES
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) brings Philippine aviation to new and up-to-date technology level at par with global peers with the milestone delivery of its first Airbus A350 900 XWB at a special event in Toulouse, France last Saturday, becoming the first local carrier and the 19th airline to operate the “world’s most modern and efficient long range airliner.”
MANILA TOUCHDOWN FOR 1ST PAL A350 – The first Airbus A350-900 jet of Philippine Airlines touches down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport July 15 to a water salute welcome after a 10-hour non-stop flight from Blagnac Airbus Delivery Center, Toulouse, France. In photo (from second left) are: Ismael Augusto S. Gozon, PAL VP for operations; LT Group President Michael G. Tan; PAL President Jaime J. Bautista and Mrs. Josefina “Jojie” Bautista, PAL VP for corporate planning Lito A. Alvarez and cabin attendants wave their hands to mark the successful ferry flight of the aircraft.
PAL will mark the rollout of its first A350-900 and A321neo jets today on the occasion of the 82nd birthday of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Lucio C. Tan.
PAL has ordered six A350-900s costing over $300 million each, which will be deployed on non-stop services to Europe and North America. These will include the carrier’s longest route starting this coming October to New York, which the A350-900 can operate non-stop all year round. With a distance of over 8,000 nautical miles, the 17-hour one-way journey from New York to Manila, currently on Boeing 777, involves a technical stop in Vancouver.
Three more A350-900s will be delivered to PAL this year while the remaining two will be delivered early next year. It has an option to order six more and PAL said it may opt for the longer A350-1000 to add more capacity and service much longer routes.
PAL also ordered 21 Airbus A321neos, two of which are now in service. The rest will be delivered in the next two years. This fleet of new Airbus planes is also more fuel efficient (up to 25 percent savings) and is seen to improve PAL’s profitability in the long run.
PAL officials said new routes in the United States like Houston and Chicago and in Europe like Paris, and Frankfurt may be served once the other A350-900s are delivered.
PAL has configured its A350-900s with a premium three-class layout seating 295 passengers in three classes. This includes 30 seats that convert to fully flat beds in Business Class, 24 offering extra space in Premium Economy and 241 18-inch wide seats in the main cabin.
PAL said the A350-900 aircraft features the award-winning Airspace by Airbus cabin, with more personal space and full connectivity throughout. The cabin is the quietest of any twin aisle aircraft and features the latest mood lighting and air conditioning systems. Higher humidity levels and a lower cabin altitude all contribute to added well-being on board, especially for long range flights.
“The arrival of the A350 XWB will see PAL offer new levels of comfort on our long haul flights,” said Jaime J. Bautista, President & COO of Philippine Airlines. “At the same time we will benefit from the A350 XWB’s new generation efficiency, with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs. We believe that the A350 XWB will be a game changer for PAL as we compete with the best in the premium long haul market.”
“We are pleased to welcome Philippine Airlines as the latest operator of the A350 XWB,” said Eric Schulz, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus. “The A350 XWB has set new standards for long haul flights, combining extra-long range capability with the lowest possible operating costs and the highest standards of comfort. We are confident that the A350 XWB will be a great success with Philippine Airlines and will enable the airline to reinforce its position as one of Asia’s leading international carriers.”
The A350 XWB is an all-new family of mid-size wide-body long-haul airliners shaping the future of air travel. The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fiber fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption and significantly lower maintenance costs.
At the end of June, 2018, Airbus has recorded 882 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 46 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever. 182 A350 XWBs have been delivered to 19 airlines worldwide.
The A350 XWB joins an existing Airbus fleet at Philippine Airlines that currently includes 27 A320 Family aircraft, 15 A330s and four A340s.
MANILA TOUCHDOWN FOR 1ST PAL A350 – The first Airbus A350-900 jet of Philippine Airlines touches down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport July 15 to a water salute welcome after a 10-hour non-stop flight from Blagnac Airbus Delivery Center, Toulouse, France. In photo (from second left) are: Ismael Augusto S. Gozon, PAL VP for operations; LT Group President Michael G. Tan; PAL President Jaime J. Bautista and Mrs. Josefina “Jojie” Bautista, PAL VP for corporate planning Lito A. Alvarez and cabin attendants wave their hands to mark the successful ferry flight of the aircraft.
PAL will mark the rollout of its first A350-900 and A321neo jets today on the occasion of the 82nd birthday of its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Lucio C. Tan.
PAL has ordered six A350-900s costing over $300 million each, which will be deployed on non-stop services to Europe and North America. These will include the carrier’s longest route starting this coming October to New York, which the A350-900 can operate non-stop all year round. With a distance of over 8,000 nautical miles, the 17-hour one-way journey from New York to Manila, currently on Boeing 777, involves a technical stop in Vancouver.
Three more A350-900s will be delivered to PAL this year while the remaining two will be delivered early next year. It has an option to order six more and PAL said it may opt for the longer A350-1000 to add more capacity and service much longer routes.
PAL also ordered 21 Airbus A321neos, two of which are now in service. The rest will be delivered in the next two years. This fleet of new Airbus planes is also more fuel efficient (up to 25 percent savings) and is seen to improve PAL’s profitability in the long run.
PAL officials said new routes in the United States like Houston and Chicago and in Europe like Paris, and Frankfurt may be served once the other A350-900s are delivered.
PAL has configured its A350-900s with a premium three-class layout seating 295 passengers in three classes. This includes 30 seats that convert to fully flat beds in Business Class, 24 offering extra space in Premium Economy and 241 18-inch wide seats in the main cabin.
PAL said the A350-900 aircraft features the award-winning Airspace by Airbus cabin, with more personal space and full connectivity throughout. The cabin is the quietest of any twin aisle aircraft and features the latest mood lighting and air conditioning systems. Higher humidity levels and a lower cabin altitude all contribute to added well-being on board, especially for long range flights.
“The arrival of the A350 XWB will see PAL offer new levels of comfort on our long haul flights,” said Jaime J. Bautista, President & COO of Philippine Airlines. “At the same time we will benefit from the A350 XWB’s new generation efficiency, with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs. We believe that the A350 XWB will be a game changer for PAL as we compete with the best in the premium long haul market.”
“We are pleased to welcome Philippine Airlines as the latest operator of the A350 XWB,” said Eric Schulz, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus. “The A350 XWB has set new standards for long haul flights, combining extra-long range capability with the lowest possible operating costs and the highest standards of comfort. We are confident that the A350 XWB will be a great success with Philippine Airlines and will enable the airline to reinforce its position as one of Asia’s leading international carriers.”
The A350 XWB is an all-new family of mid-size wide-body long-haul airliners shaping the future of air travel. The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fiber fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption and significantly lower maintenance costs.
At the end of June, 2018, Airbus has recorded 882 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 46 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever. 182 A350 XWBs have been delivered to 19 airlines worldwide.
The A350 XWB joins an existing Airbus fleet at Philippine Airlines that currently includes 27 A320 Family aircraft, 15 A330s and four A340s.