Philippine Airlines (PAL) has sealed deals with Airbus and Rolls-Royce to acquire nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, moving forward with its major long-haul fleet expansion. The deal also includes purchase rights for five more planes and a supply of Trent XWB-97 engines, bringing PAL’s total commitment for this aircraft model to 18 units.
Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings Inc., said the new aircraft will drive the airline’s long-term growth and open up more international destinations. “We have seen what this aircraft can do. It has allowed us to fly nonstop to North America with better fuel efficiency and a better experience for our passengers,” Tan stated. He added that these agreements are central to PAL’s next growth chapter, building on the carrier’s 85-year legacy of linking the Philippines to the world.
PAL is currently the first and only airline in Southeast Asia operating the A350-1000, which it already uses for nonstop flights to both the East and West Coasts of the United States and Canada. With these additional planes, the airline will be able to deploy the A350-1000 to more routes across its entire long-haul network, meaning more direct flight options for travelers heading further abroad.
For passengers and tourists, the A350-1000 brings real improvements to long-distance travel. The jet offers a quieter cabin, larger windows, lower cabin altitude, and higher humidity—all designed to make those lengthy international flights feel more comfortable and less tiring.
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Commercial Aircraft Executive Vice President for Sales, welcomed the deal as a key milestone in Airbus’ partnership with PAL. He noted that the A350-1000 is perfectly suited to help PAL grow its international network, especially in the competitive transpacific market where quality and range matter most to travelers.
Each aircraft will be fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, purpose-built specifically for this model. The agreement also covers Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare service program, which handles engine maintenance and technical support—helping keep the fleet reliable, on schedule, and ready for passengers every day. Ewen McDonald, Rolls-Royce Chief Customer Officer, said the order shows PAL’s ongoing trust in the Trent XWB-97’s performance and efficiency.
PAL currently operates a fleet of 86 aircraft, 65 of which are Airbus planes. This ongoing fleet modernization means more than just new planes for the airline—it means more travel choices, better comfort, and wider international connections for Filipino travelers, tourists visiting the country, and everyone flying with PAL across the globe.
