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Philippine Airlines received its first Airbus A350-1000, which arrived in Manila on December 20
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PAL becomes the first carrier in Southeast Asia to operate the next-generation widebody aircraft
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Delivery ceremony held in Toulouse, France, led by PAL Holdings president Lucio Tan III and top executives
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The new aircraft is the first of nine A350-1000s PAL ordered under its fleet expansion program
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Aircraft expected to serve PAL’s transpacific routes and features tri-class cabin layout: 42 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy, 316 Economy seats (total 382 passengers)
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Acquisition raises PAL’s fleet to 82 aircraft
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It is capable of operating with sustainable aviation fuel, reinforcing PAL’s sustainability goals
Philippine Airlines (PAL) on December 20 took delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first airline in Southeast Asia to operate the next-generation widebody aircraft.
The aircraft arrived in Manila at 4:43 p.m., following a delivery ceremony in Toulouse, France, led by PAL Holdings Inc. president Lucio Tan III, PAL announced in a press release.
Tan was joined by senior company officials, including PAL board adviser Kyle Tan, PAL president Richard Nuttall, and executive vice president and chief operating officer Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez.
The delivery is the first of nine A350-1000s PAL ordered as part of its fleet expansion program, bringing the airline’s total fleet to 82 aircraft.
READ: PAL books 62% higher income in Q3 2025
The aircraft, expected to serve PAL’s transpacific routes, features a tri-class cabin layout with 42 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 316 Economy seats, accommodating up to 382 passengers.
Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 turbofan engines, each capable of delivering up to 97,000 pounds of thrust, the A350-1000 offers enhanced efficiency and reliability.
It also sets new standards in sustainable aviation, with up to a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft, and the capability to operate with sustainable aviation fuel or SAF.
READ: PAL expands international flights, capacity for December holidays
Tan expressed gratitude to Airbus, PAL’s partner for more than four decades, and underscored the significance of the milestone.
“The arrival of the A350-1000 marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fleet modernization and network growth. It will be a source of Filipino pride and a transformational step for our airline,” Tan said.
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