Farnborough, UK. Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for nine A350-1000 widebody aircraft. The agreement was announced during the Farnborough Air Show by Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings, Inc., Richard Nuttall, President of Philippine Airlines, together with Lars Wagner, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales of the Airbus Commercial Aircraft business.
Once finalised, the new contract will double the airline’s total orders for the A350-1000 to 18 aircraft, of which the first two have been delivered this year. Designated as the carrier’s new flagship, the A350-1000 will enable PAL to further develop its long haul network, primarily linking Manila with destinations in North America. These include non-stop services in both directions linking Manila with cities on the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada.
PAL has specified a three class configuration for its A350-1000 fleet, accommodating 382 passengers. The layout includes 42 suites in Business Class with privacy doors and fully flat beds, 24 seats in a spacious separate Premium Economy cabin and 316 seats in Economy class. All cabins feature the latest in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity.
“The A350-1000 will continue to define the future of our international operations for many years to come,” said Lucio C. Tan III. “As the first and currently the only airline in Southeast Asia to operate the Airbus A350-1000, Philippine Airlines has experienced firsthand the aircraft’s exceptional range, fuel efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort. It has expanded our reach across North America, while delivering the world-class travel experience our customers deserve.”
“We are proud that PAL is strongly expanding its A350-1000 flagship fleet, flying the flag of the Philippines across the world,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry. “This agreement marks an important milestone in deepening our partnership with Philippine Airlines. Being the long range leader, the A350-1000 is the perfect platform for the airline to build its future long haul network and meet continued growth, especially in competitive premium transpacific markets. We look forward to finalising this new order soon.”
Philippine Airlines operates various Airbus types on its full service network. In addition to the A350, PAL flies A330-300s to the Middle East, Australia and various points in Asia. The carrier also operates a fleet of A320 and A321 single-aisle aircraft on domestic and regional services.
The A350 is the world’s most modern widebody aircraft, designed to fly up to 9,700 nautical miles / 18,000 kilometres non-stop, setting new standards for intercontinental travel. The aircraft includes state-of-the-art technologies and aerodynamics delivering unmatched standards of efficiency and comfort. Its latest generation Rolls-Royce engines and use of lightweight materials bring a 25 per cent advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, compared to previous generation competitor aircraft. The A350’s unique Airspace cabin offers passengers and crews the latest modern in-flight products for a comfortable flying experience.
At the end of June 2026, the A350 Family had won 1,595 firm orders from 68 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.
