In June 2023, Philippine Airlines placed a major wide body aircraft order with Airbus. I want to provide an update, as deliveries are expected to start later this year, and the airline has just revealed what we can expect onboard these planes. There’s both good and bad news…
In this post:
Philippine Airlines has nine Airbus A350-1000s on order
Philippine Airlines has nine Airbus A350-1000s on order. The first jet is expected to be delivered in December 2025, and all nine planes should join the fleet by 2028.
This is part of the carrier’s ultra long haul fleet project, as the airline intends to use these planes to fly nonstop from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the United States and Canada. These are among the longest flights in the world.
The A350-1000 is the largest variant of Airbus’ A350 family. The plane has amazing economics and performance. It can fly up to 8,700 nautical miles nonstop, so it’s the longest range commercial jet in production today.
These nine aircraft will join Philippine Airlines’ existing Airbus A350 fleet, which consists of two A350-900s. Interestingly, Philippine Airlines actually shrunk its A350 fleet a few years back, so this is all very interesting.
In September 2021, Philippine Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection, given the rough state the industry was in. At the time, the airline had six Airbus A350-900s in its fleet, though it ended up getting rid of four of those jets in order to cut costs. Those planes ended up at Lufthansa, so Lufthansa has a subfleet of four A350s with a different configuration than usual.
So it’s noteworthy that less than two years later, the airline placed an order for a bunch of new A350-1000s. That obviously doesn’t seem very efficient, but then again, often bankruptcy protection happens to protect the short term survivability of a company. The A350s that were returned were leased rather than owned, which probably explains the decision.
At this point, Philippine Airlines’ wide body fleet consists of 11 Airbus A330-300s, two Airbus A350-900s, and 10 Boeing 777-300ERs. With the addition of the A350-1000, the carrier will have quite the varied long haul fleet.
If you’re curious about Philippine Airlines’ inflight product, read my A350-900 business class review and my 777-300ER business class review.
Philippine Airlines Airbus A350-1000s will have 382 seats
What can passenger expected onboard Philippine Airlines’ new Airbus A350-1000s? There’s both good and bad news (thanks to Mike O. for flagging this). The planes will be equipped with 382 seats, in a three cabin configuration, with business class, premium economy, and economy. This will be the highest density three cabin A350-1000 that you’ll find on any full service carrier.
In business class, Philippine Airlines will have 42 seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration. Specifically, the airline has selected the popular reverse herringbone Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat with a door. This is virtually identical to what you’ll find on Etihad’s A350-1000s.
Premium economy will be comprised of 24 seats, spread across three rows, in a 2-4-2 configuration. This looks like a pretty standard product. Now, here’s where it gets rough. Economy will boast 316 seats, in a 3-4-3 configuration. Philippine Airlines will be the first full service airline in the world to go 10 abreast in economy on the A350.
In fairness, the usable interior space of the A350 fuselage has been widened a bit thanks to the “new production standard” concept. However, this is still going to be a tight squeeze.
I’m happy to see the upgrades in business class, and I’m sure the economics of this plane will be great. However, executives at the airline might be stretching it a bit when they claim the planes will offer a “world-class experience,” at least in economy.
Bottom line
Philippine Airlines has placed an order for nine Airbus A350-1000s, which will be delivered between December 2025 and 2028. These planes will be used for ultra long haul routes, including to North America. As the delivery date for the first of these jets approaches, the airline has now revealed what we can expect from the cabin interiors.
A350-1000s will feature 382 seats, including business class suites with doors, premium economy, and a very tight economy product.
What do you make of Philippine Airlines’ A350-1000 plans?
Im not sure why people are making a fuss over 17" inch seat width. Most 777-300ers (including Emirates) havew 17" wide seats in economy. NO difference.
The difference would be the cabin width (19 ft 3" on a regular 777, 18 ft 5" for a regular A350, 18 ft 9" for a New Production Standard A350)
Cabin width doesn't mean much if an airline ends up putting the same 17" seats
I have seen airlines Qatar airways, Air France, Air Canada, United, American quote 16.7/16.8" for their B777
I agree, most 777 fly with a 10 abreast economy and 17 to 17,1 width. Except for japan airlines all 787 have the same width except for some airlines who made the aisle so narrow you dont date using them when people are asleep just to get to 17,2 width. Some Qatar airways mentionned a width of 16,8 in some 789 economy so why is everyone making such a fuss about the 350 going 10 abreast. Looks like sometimes there is some Airbus bashing
We (family trip) just flew a couple of weeks ago in Premium Economy on JL's B787. The 2-3-2 configuration is awesome. Though the A350 is wider, I'm still not sure if its worth flying in Economy Plus in that (2-4-2) configuration.
The width of JAL's A350 Premium Economy should be around 19 inches wide with improved technology like a 16 inch 4k screen and Bluetooth. The reclining function is operated by electric motors now as well (hope this helps)
KLM will have an even higher density a350-1000 at 391 pax
They have an "Economy Comfort" section which is basically a regular economy class seat with improved legroom over basic economy. So for regular economy, pitch will be about 31" while Economy Comfort will be "35".
They also don't have flights as long as Philippine Airlines so I can also see a reduction in galley space in favor of more seats.
I'm more curious as to why they choose to only fit 42 seats in that space.
With the seat version they choose, 46 seats can fit comfortably in there, (ETIHAD fits 44 of the same seats)
Secondly, going 10 Abreast only gives the additional 18-22 seats. Wonder the cost benefit behind this conclusion.
First cabin -- 42/46 business class
Second cabin -- 24 premium economy and 126 economy
Third cabin -- 168 economy class
Total seat 360/364
My guess is to keep the same number of seats standard or consistent along with their 777s (sans the 2 former Garuda frames) in case of any unexpected aircraft swaps down the line.
They're planning on reconfiguring the B777 at some point post pandemic 2023 I believe.
Ben, PR will not be the first airline with 3-4-3 seating .. French Bee has the same configuration with a seating capicity of 411 (!!) pax on the A350-900
French Bee and Air Caraibes are not full-service carriers and their A350s are not the New Production Standard variant (NPS) where the sidewalls are resculpted to allow for 10-abreast seating at 17". The former two are 10-abreast at 16.7".
Why would they need to go 10 abreast if they are just fitting 316 Y and 24 PY behind second doors ?
Ethiopian seats 349 Y seats there so you can remove 4 rows of Y to install 3 rows PY.
Etihad puts 327 Y seats including 5 rows of extra legroom and 2 lavs in the same space. PAL will have 2 less J seats so they can put the lavs ahead of second doors.
Similar to what I've above and below, they probably want to keep the experience consistent. The average frame of a typical Filipino is smaller than your typical Westerner. I guess they would rather sacrifice seat width than seat pitch which is consistent across their widebody fleet. Second, they also need the additional galley space for their longest flights.
These are Collins Elements suites - the same product that Aeroflot and Air India have on their A350s. Premium economy looks like the Collins MiQ product.
Aeroflot and Air India A350 feature Collins Horizon premier seats.
Starlux A350 and newer Etihad B787-9 feature the Collins Elements seats.
This isn't the Elements seats, though it looks like it was styled like one
It's probably the Elevation (formerly known as the Super Diamond). The Elements would be the second generation, upgrade over the Elevation.
Meh, layout is still the same from the same manufacturer. Does it really matter if it's the Elements or Elevation?! It does the same thing!
The Elements seat has improved ergonomics and more space for a bigger screen along with some modifications for the storage area along with some extra knee room.
Great aircraft but at some point you will need to fly via that horrendous airport called MNL - absolutely positively NO
But will it still be Philippine Airlines? No Thank you!
Airbus has bumped the range on the standard A350-1000 to 9,000nm now.... as much as the old A340-500s.
That was done by giving the aircraft the same 322tonne MTOW (up from 319t) of the "Sunrise" aircraft that will be used by Qantas for its ULH flights. The standard version will not be given the additional rear...
Airbus has bumped the range on the standard A350-1000 to 9,000nm now.... as much as the old A340-500s.
That was done by giving the aircraft the same 322tonne MTOW (up from 319t) of the "Sunrise" aircraft that will be used by Qantas for its ULH flights. The standard version will not be given the additional rear center tank however.
There's also a few software adjustments that contribute to this as well.
Makes me wonder if Singapore is thinking about upgauging their ULRs or they're happy with theirs.
Sadly, Singapore hasn't (publicly) shown any interest in the A350-1000 at all. Of course that can change, but for now, their incoming huge aircraft is the 777-9.
They did say that they'll be adding a First cabin to their A350-900ULRs though, even though it won't be completed for several years. Seems like they want those to stay on the New York flights, even though the A350-1000 can now do that as well.
Not the -1000. but Singapore was looking at the -1100/-2000 as well as a hypothetical 777-10X about a decade ago.
https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1347199
I remember PR were quite innovative when they had their 747-200s. With 14 real beds on the upper deck. PR called them "Skybeds"; these were also certified for use during take-off and landing. Unfortunately PR have since deteriorated. Lets hope for a renaissance with these new A350-1000s and new routes.
Looolll. Ethiopian Airlines A350-1000s seat 395 in total.
The business class seat seems to be the Collins' Aerospace Elements seat and not the Super Diamond from the same manufacturer.
MNL for connectivity is an abysmal experience. Still, given I need to go to MNL directly a few times a year, I would use PAL IF they would eventually join an alliance or partner with a U.S. airline for mileage earning. It's a hard pass otherwise.
They do partner with American & Alaska.
As I have read in the past it is only on codeshare flights and they are very limited.
10 seats abreast in economy that means instead of a seat width of 18" it should be 17" or less ouch. 8.7K miles range was the previous version the new 322 t its 9,000 nautical miles.
Until the abhorrent excuse for a transit experience that is on offer at MNL is completely replaced with something more modern than the present circa 1948 experience, the lower fares offered by PR are a false saving.
The amount one surrenders in terms of stress, delays, frustration, and awhile treatment massively outweighs the lower price that is paid for the actual flights.
100% agree. And god forbid you have to change terminals, or have a layover that's long enough that you might fool yourself into thinking you should spend a night in the city. MNL airport itself has worse traffic than most actual cities in the world.
Still one of the worst airlines in the world, with one of the worst hubs (MNL) in the world. Country is a toilet too, minus a few good beaches. It'll be a pass for me.
The size of a typical Filipino is average if not small compared to your typical Westerner. And Filipinos tend to either choose the cheapest option down to the last cent or the most convenient option. So going 10-abreast does make sense with the demographic they're going after. Pitch will be at 33" which will be better than average and somewhat make up for the 10-abreast cabin.
I'm surprised they went with a reverse herringbone configuration....
The size of a typical Filipino is average if not small compared to your typical Westerner. And Filipinos tend to either choose the cheapest option down to the last cent or the most convenient option. So going 10-abreast does make sense with the demographic they're going after. Pitch will be at 33" which will be better than average and somewhat make up for the 10-abreast cabin.
I'm surprised they went with a reverse herringbone configuration. I was expecting the staggered configuration they have now but with the addition of a door, so I'm curious to know why they went in a different direction. The list of carriers that have never used a herringbone configuration dwindles. The only carriers that I can think of that have never went with some form of a herringbone configuration would be ANA, Emirates, Qantas, Singapore, Air India, Turkish.
I'm curious as well as to what vendor they chose for the IFE.
Their 777s and some A330s can certainly use a tip-to-tail refresh, as they still have plenty of life left in them, but with their cabins already a generation or two old.