Philippine Airlines just upgraded its long-haul swagger with a widebody statement piece carrying a list price of USD366.5 million.
At exactly 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, PAL’s most anticipated new aircraft—the Airbus A350-1000—arrived in Manila, making the Philippine flag carrier the first airline in Southeast Asia to operate Airbus’ newest-generation wide-body aircraft. PAL has clearly signaled that its global ambitions are accelerating.
The handover followed a formal delivery ceremony in Toulouse, France, led by PAL Holdings Inc. President Lucio Tan III, alongside senior executives including Board Adviser Kyle Tan, PAL President Richard Nuttall, and EVP and COO Carlos Luis Fernandez.
The aircraft is the first of nine A350-1000s ordered as part of PAL’s long-term fleet expansion. Airbus, notably, has been PAL’s partner for more than four decades.
Tan described the arrival as both symbolic and strategic. The A350-1000, widely regarded as the world’s most modern widebody aircraft, sets new benchmarks for comfort, efficiency, and sustainability. These features are important combination as airlines navigate rising costs and climate scrutiny.
Designed primarily for PAL’s transpacific routes, the aircraft features a spacious tri-class cabin for up to 382 passengers: 42 in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy, and 316 in Economy. Simply, it means more seats, better experience, longer reach.
The addition lifts PAL’s fleet count to 82 aircraft. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines—each delivering up to 97,000 pounds of thrust—the A350-1000 brings improved reliability and lower operating costs.
Just as crucial, it cuts fuel burn and carbon emissions by up to 25 percent versus older-generation aircraft and is certified to operate on sustainable aviation fuel. The newest addition to its Airbus fleet is PAL’s statement at 35,000 feet.
