Philippine Airlines Takes Delivery of Third Airbus A350-1000 Ahead of US Route Expansion
Key Takeaways
- •The newly delivered aircraft is PAL’s third Airbus A350-1000 and is registered as RP-C3512.
- •PAL plans to deploy the jet on its Manila–San Francisco route starting August 5, initially three times a week.
- •The airline expects to raise the Manila–San Francisco service to daily flights by September.
- •The aircraft is part of PAL’s original 2023 order for nine A350-1000s, with remaining deliveries scheduled through 2028.
- •PAL has also ordered nine more A350-1000s for 2034 to 2036 and secured purchase rights for five additional jets.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its third Airbus A350-1000, bolstering its long-haul fleet as the carrier prepares to expand services on its Manila–San Francisco route.
In a media release issued on Wednesday, the flag carrier said the newly delivered aircraft is part of its initial order for nine A350-1000s. The plane is expected to enter commercial service after completing all required regulatory and operational preparations.
PAL, operated by PAL Holdings, Inc., plans to deploy the aircraft on its Manila–San Francisco service beginning August 5. The airline said it will initially operate the route on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, before increasing to daily service by September. The San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the largest Filipino-American communities in the United States, making it one of PAL's most strategically important transpacific routes.
The Airbus A350-1000 is the largest variant in the A350 family, a long-haul widebody platform designed for high-capacity routes. PAL's A350-1000 is configured with business class, premium economy, and economy class cabins.
The delivered aircraft, registered as RP-C3512, is the third of nine A350-1000s originally ordered by PAL in 2023. The remaining aircraft from that initial order are scheduled for delivery through 2028.
Earlier this month, PAL announced an additional order for nine Airbus A350-1000s, with deliveries scheduled between 2034 and 2036. The airline also secured purchase rights for five more A350-1000 aircraft to support future fleet requirements and market opportunities. The combined orders reflect a long-term fleet strategy that extends well over a decade, positioning PAL to renew and expand its widebody capacity as competing Southeast Asian carriers also invest in next-generation long-haul aircraft.
Separately, PAL signed an agreement with GE Aerospace for GEnx-1B engines that will power 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners scheduled for delivery between 2031 and 2034, as part of its broader fleet modernization program.
The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner is the largest member of the 787 Dreamliner family and is designed for medium-to-long-haul routes. The GEnx-1B engine, produced by GE Aerospace, is one of the engine options available for the 787 family.
— Ashley Erika O. Jose