Philippine Airlines (PAL | PR) has formally executed definitive agreements with Airbus and Rolls-Royce, cementing a multi-party partnership designed to propel the flag carrier’s next stage of long-haul fleet development. Under the finalized contracts, the airline has placed a firm order for nine (09) additional Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft, accompanied by purchase rights for five (05) more units, as well as Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 powerplants. This decisive transaction translates the preliminary Memoranda of Understanding previously revealed at the Farnborough International Airshow in July into a firm contract, expanding Philippine Airlines’ total commitment for the flagship A350-1000 model to 18 aircraft.
The flag carrier currently holds the distinction of being the first and only operator in Southeast Asia to fly the A350-1000. Passengers currently experience the type on non-stop services connecting the Philippines to destinations across the East and West Coasts of the United States as well as Canada. As deliveries materialize, the incoming aircraft will expand the A350-1000 operational footprint across more sectors of the airline’s international long-haul network, delivering updated aerodynamic efficiency and passenger comfort.
Highlighting the strategic value of the widebody platform, Lucio C. Tan III, PAL Chairman and PAL Holdings, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer, said, “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. For eight and a half decades, we have connected people, businesses and communities across the Philippines and around the world. As we honor that legacy, we must also prepare for the decades ahead, and today’s agreements are an important part of that preparation.”
From an engineering and passenger-wellbeing perspective, the A350-1000 integrates an array of environmental enhancements within the cabin environment. Travelers benefit from reduced ambient cabin noise, larger windows, an optimized lower cabin altitude, and increased humidity levels, which collectively mitigate the physical strain of long-haul travel so passengers arrive feeling more refreshed.
The onboard passenger experience across every class has been systematically refreshed with specialized seating and digital amenities. In Business Class, Philippine Airlines features its “Mabuhay Studios” suites, developed in collaboration with Lift Aero Design. This premium cabin houses 42 fully lie-flat suites arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, ensuring each guest receives direct aisle access along with sliding doors for enhanced privacy. Each Mabuhay Studio includes a 20-inch 4K high-definition monitor, wireless device charging, and complimentary full-flight Wi-Fi supporting web browsing, messaging, and streaming.
In the Premium Economy cabin, passengers have access to spacious recliner seating equipped with dedicated leg rests and footrests, paired with 13.3-inch 4K individual screens and complimentary messaging and browsing access. In the Economy cabin, travelers are seated at a 32-inch pitch with four-way adjustable headrests and integrated personal electronic device holders. Every seat across both Premium Economy and Economy cabins features dedicated in-flight entertainment screens alongside individual USB-A and USB-C power ports.
Expressing support for the airline’s expansion, Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales of the Airbus Commercial Aircraft Business, said: “We are proud that PAL is strongly expanding its A350-1000 flagship fleet, flying the flag of the Philippines across the world. 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.”
Every A350-1000 in the fleet is driven exclusively by the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97, an advanced turbofan engineered specifically for fuel burn reduction and operational reliability. To safeguard dispatch reliability and performance, the transaction incorporates Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare service agreement, an engine maintenance program designed to ensure airframe availability and operational predictability.
Ewen McDonald, Chief Customer Officer at Rolls-Royce, highlighted the significance of the contract, “We are delighted to take this next step with Philippine Airlines and finalize the agreement we announced at Farnborough International Air Show earlier this year. Our partnership goes back many years, and this order highlights Philippine Airline’s continued confidence in the Trent XWB-97’s proven reliability and efficiency. Along with TotalCare support, Philippine Airlines can be confident in its growing A350-1000 fleet as it expands its connections between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.”
At present, Philippine Airlines operates an active fleet of 86 aircraft, of which 65 originate from Airbus. The ongoing induction of these next-generation widebody jets represents an integral element in the carrier’s broader fleet modernization, granting passengers expanded route options and smoother travel while facilitating the global deployment of the flag carrier’s signature Filipino hospitality.