Philippine Airlines (PAL) has begun rolling out its newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo fleet, a modernization initiative aimed at elevating passenger comfort and operational efficiency on regional routes. The project builds on the legacy of the A321ceo aircraft in PAL’s fleet, which first entered service in August 2013 during the period when San Miguel Corporation (SMC) briefly held management control of the flag carrier.
The A321ceo has long been PAL’s workhorse for flights across ASEAN, Greater China, Japan, South Korea, and Guam. Originally configured with 187 Economy Class seats, the aircraft are now undergoing significant upgrades to introduce a more balanced dual-class layout. After retrofitting, each aircraft will carry 12 Business Class and 182 Economy Class seats, bringing the total to 194 passengers.
PAL’s A321ceo retrofit program officially kicked off two years ago and is being implemented in stages through 2027. The first refurbished aircraft, bearing registry RP-C9905, was completed at the Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) facility in Manila. The rollout timeline is structured to deliver three aircraft in 2025, nine in 2026, and the final six in 2027.
Upgraded Cabins for Better Comfort
Business Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo. 
Business Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo. 
Business Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo. 
Business Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo. 
Business Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo.
The Business Class cabin now features a 2-2 seating arrangement, offering more privacy and space. Each seat comes with in-seat power (sockets and USB-A ports), a mini cocktail table, and ample storage, complemented by a 13.3-inch in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen for an immersive viewing experience.
Economy Class has been reconfigured into a 3-3 layout with Collins Aerospace Pinnacle seats, manufactured in Batangas by Filipino workers. Each seat is equipped with a 10.1-inch IFE screen and USB-A charging port, enhancing convenience for travelers.
A First for Filipino Craftsmanship
Economy Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo. 
Economy Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo. 
Economy Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo. 
Economy Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo. 
Economy Class seats of PAL’s newly refurbished Airbus A321ceo.
One of the highlights of this program is the installation of Economy seats produced in the Philippines — the first time a local airline has adopted locally manufactured seats in its fleet. PAL emphasized that this achievement highlights the skill and craftsmanship of Filipino workers, who played vital roles in both the production and cabin reconfiguration.
Alvin Miranda, PAL Vice President for Marketing, said the program reflects the airline’s commitment to “world-class excellence and heartfelt care,” while also recognizing the contributions of the Filipino workforce.
Deployment on Key Routes
The refurbished A321ceo aircraft will initially serve routes to Tokyo (Haneda and Narita), Osaka, Jakarta, Bali, and Guam in 2025. By 2026, deployment will expand to other major Asian destinations in PAL’s growing regional network.
Once completed in 2027, the retrofit project will cover all 18 A321ceo aircraft in PAL’s fleet, solidifying the flag carrier’s position as a regional leader in passenger comfort while proudly showcasing Filipino innovation in aviation.