PAL Boosts North America Flights with New Airbus A350-1000 Fleet Expansion

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) yesterday landed the third of its nine Airbus A350-1000s, expanding its widebody fleet to support long-range flights to Canada and the US. The delivery marked the second A350-1000 PAL received this year, with the aircraft given a registry number of RP-C3512. The A350-1000 arrived in Manila from the Airbus Delivery Center in Toulouse, France. PAL is now working on its operational preparations and regulatory processing. Once cleared for takeoff, the aircraft will make its debut on Aug. 5, flying between Manila and San Francisco. Initially, the A350-1000 will be deployed for Tuesday, Friday and Sunday flights, but will transition to daily usage by September. For PAL, the expansion of its A350-1000 fleet allows it to scale up fuel efficiency for long-range flights, specifically for Canada and the US. The airline splits the A350-1000 into three cabins for a total of 382 seats: business class, premium economy and economy cabin. The aircraft is also considered one of the most cost-efficient widebody aircraft, capable of flying as far as 16,700 kilometers at 25 percent less fuel burn. PAL is so impressed with the A350-1000 it placed an order for nine more, with purchase rights for five units, at the Farnborough International Airshow last week. The order is on top of the nine A350-1000s that the airline signed up for in 2023, and 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner that it also ordered at the same airshow. Regularly, PAL relies on the A350-1000 to reach its farthest destinations in North America, such as New York and Toronto. It plans to do the same for the second batch of A350-1000s, which are scheduled for delivery from 2034 to 2036. At times, PAL assigns the A350-1000 for high-demand services locally. The airline is deploying the aircraft for Manila flights to Davao on Aug. 13 and 16 in time for the Kadayawan Festival, which draws thousands of visitors every year. PAL vice president for sales and distribution Justin Warby said the airline also wants local guests to experience the comfort of flying with the A350-1000. “Bringing our newest flagship aircraft to Davao for this occasion is our way of joining festivities in true PAL fashion — giving our passengers a flight experience as memorable as the destination itself,” Warby said.