Philippine Airlines takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

Philippine Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 on December 20, becoming the tenth airline globally and the first in Southeast Asia to operate the largest variant of the widebody.

This delivery is the first of nine A350-1000s scheduled for arrival by 2027 as part of the airline’s fleet expansion program. The new aircraft will operate alongside existing A350-900s, supporting the carrier’s plans to expand services to the United States.

“The arrival of the A350-1000 marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fleet modernisation and network growth. It will be a source of Filipino pride and a transformational step for our airline,” said Lucio Tan III, President of PAL Holdings.

The A350-1000 for Philippine Airlines features a three-class configuration with 382 seats, including 42 in business class, 24 in premium economy, and 316 in economy. The new aircraft will be used primarily on the carrier’s North American network and will gradually replace its older Boeing 777-300ERs.

Philippine Airlines confirmed its order for nine A350-1000s at the Paris Air Show in 2023, following an earlier memorandum of understanding signed in May. The aircraft are intended for routes such as Manila-New York and Manila-Toronto.

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