Philippine Airlines to Order 9 Airbus A350s.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for nine A350-1000 widebody aircraft has been signed by Philippine Airlines (PAL). Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings, Inc., Richard Nuttall, President of Philippine Airlines, Lars Wagner, CEO of Airbus’s Commercial Aircraft division, and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales of the Airbus Commercial Aircraft division, announced the deal at the Farnborough Air Show.
The airline’s total orders for the A350-1000 will increase to 18 once the new contract is finalised; the first two have already been delivered this year. The A350-1000, designated as the airline’s new flagship, will help PAL expand its long-haul network, mainly connecting Manila with North American destinations. These include nonstop services that connect Manila with cities on the East Coast of the United States and Canada in both directions.
For its fleet of A350-1000 aircraft, PAL has requested a three-class layout that can hold 382 passengers. There are 316 seats in Economy class, 24 seats in a large separate Premium Economy cabin, and 42 Business Class suites with privacy doors and completely flat beds. The newest connection and in-flight entertainment systems are available in every cabin.
“As the first and only airline in Southeast Asia to operate the Airbus A350-1000, Philippine Airlines has firsthand experience with the aircraft’s exceptional range, fuel efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort. In addition to providing our clients with the top-notch travel experience they deserve, it has increased our reach throughout North America,” Tan III stated
“This deal represents a significant turning point in strengthening our collaboration with Philippine Airlines. The A350-1000, the long-range leader, is the ideal platform for the airline to develop its long-haul network of the future and meet ongoing growth, particularly in competitive premium transpacific markets. We anticipate completing this new order shortly,” Saint-Exupéry stated.
On its full-service network, Philippine Airlines employs a variety of Airbus models. PAL operates A330-300 aircraft in addition to the A350 to the Middle East, Australia, and other locations in Asia. Additionally, the airline offers domestic and regional flights using a fleet of A320 and A321 single-aisle aircraft.
A contemporary widebody aircraft, the A350 can travel up to 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 kilometres) nonstop. Compared to competing aircraft from earlier generations, it has a 25% advantage in fuel consumption, operational expenses, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions thanks to its most recent generation Rolls-Royce engines and usage of lightweight materials.
