Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of nine A350-1000s worth around $3.204 billion for its future Ultra Long Haul Fleet serving non-stop routes from Manila to North America, including the East Coast of the US and Canada.

The aircraft, with a list price $356 million each, is the latest and largest version of the A350 Family of long-range jetliners.

The range of the A350-1000 would enable the flag carrier to fly non-stop transpacific and transpolar routes in both directions all year, according to Captain Stanley K. Ng, PAL President and Chief Operating OfficeR.

These will include some of the longest commercial flights in the world, such as those linking the Philippines with New York and Toronto.

With an expanded A350 fleet, PAL will have the ability to once again provide a direct link from the Philippines to Europe.

“The A350-1000 combines greater range capability with the higher capacity we need to serve future demand. It’s the perfect aircraft to enable PAL to meet its expansion plans in a sustainable way, while offering passengers the highest levels of onboard comfort," he explained.

The new aircraft will join two A350-900s already in service with PAL and currently flying to destinations in North America, Asia and Australia.

As with the A350-900, the PAL A350-1000s will be configured in a premium layout with separate Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class cabins.

PAL has likewise secured purchase rights on three additional A350-1000s to allow future expansion to new long haul destinations.

The first of the nine A350-1000s is slated to be delivered to PAL by the fourth quarter of 2025, with deliveries continuing until 2027.

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and has set new standards for intercontinental travel.

It offers the longest range capability of any commercial airliner in production today and is capable of flying 8,700 nautical miles or 16,100 kilometers non-stop.

At the end of March 2023, the A350 Family had won 928 firm orders from 54 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever.

Over 520 aircraft are currently in the fleets of 39 airlines, flying primarily on long haul routes.

PAL operates various Airbus types on its full service network. In addition to the A350 on long-haul intercontinental routes, PAL flies A330-300s on services to the Middle East, Australia and various points in Asia.

The flag carrier also operates a fleet of A320 and A321 single aisle aircraft on its extensive domestic and regional network out of hubs in Manila and Cebu.