Philippine Airlines is significantly expanding its long haul fleet, after shedding some of its wide body aircraft during bankruptcy…
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Philippine Airlines orders nine Airbus A350s
Philippine Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of nine A350-1000s. These planes are expected to be delivered starting in 2025, so that’s only a couple of years down the road.
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.
These nine aircraft will join Philippine Airlines’ existing Airbus A350 fleet, which consists of two A350-900s. The new A350-1000s are expected to be in a three cabin configuration, featuring business class, premium economy, and economy.
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.
Philippine Airlines just shrunk its A350 fleet during bankruptcy
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 now interesting to see that less than two years later, the airline is placing 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.
At this point, Philippine Airlines’ wide body fleet consists of 10 Airbus A330-300s, two Airbus A350-900s, and nine 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.
Bottom line
Philippine Airlines has placed an order for nine Airbus A350-1000s, which will be delivered starting in 2025. These planes will be used for ultra long haul routes, including to North America.
I’m excited to learn more details about the inflight product that Philippine Airlines intends to have on these jets. Hopefully there’s a new business class, since the carrier often has attractive transpacific pricing.
It’s interesting to see this order less than two years after Philippine Airlines had to dump two-thirds of its A350-900 fleet due to bankruptcy protection.
What do you make of Philippine Airlines’ A350-1000 order?
I remember checking in at the counter in Manila and there was a fat rat standing up on the baggage checkin belt just staring at us on its hind legs totally unbothered by our presence
Good news of course, but it depends on the fitout the airline opts for. Even the best aircraft model can be a pig if not handled well at this stage.
Any news on the PAL/AA codeshare that was announced Pre-Covid?
that is good as dead, it literally only made headlines in 2002 and nothing else after that
I think this will be great for PAL's global expansion. I think there is a lot of potential for new routes to Europe like MNL-CDG, MNL-FRA, etc. I wonder if they will do anything special in the cabin like a relaxation area given how long the flights to the Philippines are. I am curious if they have plans to retrofit their 777s from the terrible 2-3-2 seats to the new direct-aisle seats on the A350-900s and some A330-300s.
Correct. Of note, though, "Philippine Airlines" is how it's spoken. The world over.
Philippines Airlines, said no one. Ever.
Is it "Philippine Airlines" or "Philippines Airlines"?
Either you've got the airline name wrong, or the guy who painted the planes did.
It is, in fact, Philippine Airlines; presumably they have Philippines with an 's' as that's the name of the country. I do not know why they paint this on the side instead of the name of the airline.
Yes, but.... Manila.
Morgan, you beat me to it. I wouldn't mind flying PAL, but the thought of Manila, or more specifically Manila Airport is...frightening. There are only two airports I totally avoid: Manila and Lagos. Experienced travellers will know the myriad reasons why. Kabul airport is preferable, and I'm NOT even joking.
Well the good news is that a new airport is under construction. It'll be similar to Istanbul in terms of they layout and it'll be operated by Incheon Airport. It'll be open in 3 years time.
They got rid of their A350s b/c they were leased and not owned. I'm guessing these 9 1000s will be owned.
I think the A35Ks will partly replace the 77Ws, at least RP-C7776 and RP-C7777, the two oldest in the PAL fleet. I predict PAL will keep the newer 77Ws (those acquired in 2016 and later) to service LAX, which needs the capacity that aircraft offers.
They should have got rid of 777s instead of 350 but I guess 350 was in more demand and could earn more than 777s.