Philippine Airlines Deploys New Airbus A350-1000 on San
Philippine Airlines is using its new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to replace Boeing 777-300ERs on key long-haul routes, starting with San Francisco.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has received its fourth Airbus A350-1000. The aircraft is now operating on the carrier's route to San Francisco, gradually taking over from the Boeing 777-300ER.
The A350-1000 serves as PAL's new flagship for ultra-long-haul flights. The type is also used on services to New York and Toronto. More of these aircraft are incoming, enabling network revitalization.
While the A350-1000 assumes the flagship role, the airline's Boeing 777-300ERs are not being retired. These relatively young aircraft are expected to remain in the fleet long-term. The new Airbuses are primarily used for restoring capacity cut after the pandemic.
Fleet Strategy and Orders
Philippine Airlines first ordered nine Airbus A350-1000s in 2023. This followed the carrier's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing less than two years prior. The airline has already taken delivery of four of these jets.
In July 2026, PAL placed a follow-up order for another nine A350-1000s. This brings its total firm order to 18 aircraft. The report states the new planes are deployed on existing routes rather than launching new services.
The airline is not planning to retire any widebody aircraft as the A350-1000s arrive. Displaced aircraft like the A350-900s and 777-300ERs may be used for network expansion. The A350-1000's efficiency and range make it particularly suited for the airline's longest routes to New York and Toronto.
Cabin Configuration and Comfort
The A350-1000 introduces Philippine Airlines' latest cabin interiors. The business class features the Collins Aerospace Elevation seat, a reverse herringbone lie-flat model with sliding doors and direct aisle access.
Premium economy uses the Collins Aerospace MiQ seat, while economy class is fitted with the ZIM ZP230 model. The new aircraft have large screens and USB-C ports. The total seat count is 382, in a three-class layout.
| Class | Number of Seats |
|---|---|
| Business | 42 |
| Premium Economy | 24 |
| Economy | 316 |
This is one of the densest A350 configurations globally. Philippine Airlines configures its economy cabin with ten seats per row, a layout previously only used by two budget airlines. Airbus advertises that 17-inch wide seats are possible in this layout, comparable to a Boeing 777, though it requires narrower aisles.
Boeing 777-300ER's Evolving Role
Most of PAL's Boeing 777-300ERs are configured with 370 seats. The A350-1000's high-density layout allows it to carry a similar passenger count despite being a slightly smaller aircraft. Notably, the 777s currently lack a premium economy cabin.
The carrier plans to retrofit its 777-300ERs with new interiors. These will presumably include direct aisle access business class pods and a premium economy section. The fuel efficiency of the A350-1000 means it will take over the longest routes, while the 777s will be shifted to shorter services where fuel burn is less critical.
Currently, the 777-300ER is deployed to Vancouver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, alongside flights within Asia to Bangkok and Shanghai. It has also recently been deployed on a new nonstop service to Riyadh. This move is described as a competitive response to Riyadh Air, which will start its own Manila service using a Boeing 787.
The report notes that the switch to the 777 on the Riyadh route is more about improving the passenger product than increasing capacity. The 777 offers seatback entertainment and a larger business class cabin compared to the A330-300 aircraft it replaces on that route.
Future Fleet and Network Growth
Philippine Airlines' 18 Airbus A350-1000s will eventually fly alongside its ten Boeing 777s and two A350-900s. With the 777s being refurbished rather than retired, the airline is set for significant long-haul growth.
The carrier is increasing frequencies to New York, Vancouver, and Toronto. It will also launch a new service to Chicago O'Hare in November, operated by the A350-900. This will bring its North American destinations to eight.
The airline plans to retire its fleet of 11 Airbus A330-300 aircraft. These will be replaced by 15 Boeing 787-10s, with five additional options. The 787-10 has better range, potentially allowing it to operate on longer routes than the A330s currently serve.
In addition to the widebodies, PAL has outstanding orders for 13 Airbus A321neos. The report concludes that the influx of new aircraft will allow the carrier to expand frequencies across its network and grow its system, a process that is already underway.
