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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider PAL expands Transpacific fleet with up to 14 Airbus A350-1000 jets

PAL expands Transpacific fleet with up to 14 Airbus A350-1000 jets

Published Jul 21, 2026 06:16 pm
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) signed an agreement to acquire as many as 14 additional Airbus SE A350-1000 widebody jets, doubling down on ultra-long-haul transpacific routes as Southeast Asia's aviation sector expands international connectivity.
The flag carrier executed a memorandum of understanding covering nine firm orders and purchase rights for five additional airframes during the Farnborough International Airshow. Deliveries for this second batch of jetliners are scheduled to take place between 2034 and 2036.
The commitment expands upon an initial agreement placed in 2023 for nine of the widebody twin-engine aircraft. The airline currently operates two A350-1000s on flagship non-stop services connecting the Philippine capital to major North American destinations, including New York and Toronto. Seven remaining aircraft from the original 2023 order are scheduled for delivery through 2028.
”The A350-1000 will continue to define the future of our international operations for many years to come,” Lucio C. Tan III, president and chief operating officer of parent firm PAL Holdings Inc., said in a statement.
Tan noted that the carrier remains the sole operator of the variant in Southeast Asia, leveraging the model’s extended range and operational efficiencies to deepen its footprint across North American markets.
The announcement was finalized alongside PAL President Richard Nuttall, Airbus Commercial Aircraft Chief Executive Officer Lars Wagner, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, executive vice president of sales for Airbus commercial aircraft.
Legacy carriers across the Asia-Pacific region are competing aggressively to capture premium long-haul passenger traffic while replacing older-generation widebodies. The A350-1000 incorporates advanced composite materials and refined aerodynamics, delivering substantial reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions compared with preceding long-range models.
Philippine Airlines plans to outfit the incoming aircraft in a premium three-class layout featuring business class suites with privacy doors, alongside dedicated premium economy and upgraded economy seating.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry noted that the aircraft serves as an ideal platform for the airline to strengthen its long-haul network, particularly across highly competitive transpacific corridors.
The included purchase rights for five additional planes provide flexibility for future capacity adjustments, allowing the carrier to adapt to evolving market demand and macroeconomic conditions over the next decade.

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