With the airline already having the distinction of being the first Southeast Asian carrier to operate the model.
At the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has continued its ongoing streak of deals in the past few days.
This time, the airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with another plane manufacturer, Airbus.
The contract is for the acquisition of nine additional A350-1000 aircraft, with purchase rights for five more.
These planes will be added to the original batch of nine aircraft that PAL ordered in 2023, where two are already delivered and operating in nonstop flights from Manila to New York and Toronto,
The PAL A350-1000 features Business Class suites with privacy doors, a dedicated Premium Economy cabin, and the Economy Class that features a 3-4-3 abreast seating layout, which are then complemented by the latest inflight entertainment and connectivity systems.
This order will also position the A350-1000 fleet as the airline’s flagship for long-haul operations, as well as reinforce the flag carrier’s “commitment to long-haul growth and fleet modernization,” it noted.
The agreement was announced PAL Holdings, Inc. President and COO Lucio Tan III, PAL President Richard Nuttall, Airbus Commercial Aircraft business CEO Lars Wagner, and Airbus Executive Vice President Sales – Commercial Aircraft Benoît de Saint-Exupéry,
“The A350-1000 will continue to define the future of our international operations for many years to come,” said Tan in a statement. “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.”
He also added that the plane has expanded the airline’s reach across North America and deliver the “world-class travel experience our customers deserve.”
Meanwhile, Saint-Exupéry said for his part, “We are proud that PAL is strongly expanding its A350-1000 flagship fleet, flying the flag of the Philippines across the world.”
The Airbus official also told, “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.”
The A350-1000 also incorporates advanced composite materials and next-generation aerodynamics, which the plane maker and airline said will significant reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, compared with previous-generation aircraft.
“The purchase rights for five additional aircraft provide PAL with flexibility to support future fleet requirements and market opportunities,” it also added.
PAL expects this second batch of Airbus A350-1000 orders to be delivered from 2034 to 2036.
DEAL WITH ROLLS-ROYCE FOR 18 TRENT XWB-97 ENGINES
Meanwhile, at the same airshow, PAL ALSO signed a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rolls-Royce for 18 Trent XWB-97 engines to power nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft that it had ordered, with an option to also cover five more planes included in PAL’s purchase rights.
The Trent XWB-97 is the exclusive engine for the Airbus A350-1000 model.
Another deal signed will also involve Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare service, which will cover the health and maintenance program of the fleet.
“This investment manifests our confidence in the future of Philippine Airlines. Together, the Airbus A350-1000 and the Trent XWB-97 engine will continue to define our flagship long-haul operations for many years to come,” said Lucio Tan III.
He added, “Our TotalCare agreement complements this investment by providing comprehensive maintenance support that helps maximize fleet availability while giving us greater confidence in long-term maintenance planning and cost predictability.”
Meanwhile, Rob Watson, President of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, expressed, “We are proud to continue strengthening our long-standing relationship with Philippine Airlines. The Trent XWB-97 is an exceptional engine, renowned for its proven reliability and efficiency, making it our best-selling engine over the past 18 months.“
The company official also said, “Combined with the comprehensive operational support provided by TotalCare, this order will enable Philippine Airlines to maximize their operational performance as they continue expanding their A350-1000 fleet.”
Earlier in the week, PAL also purchased 20 units of the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, which will be delivered between 2031 and 2034.
Aside from these two plane types, Philippine Airlines also has A320s, A321s, A330s, A350-900, and Boeing 777 in its fleet.
PAL currently operates scheduled nonstop flights from its hubs in Manila and Cebu to 29 destinations across the Philippines and 40 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.