Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Philippine Airlines Unveils Airbus A350-1000 Flagship at 85th Anniversary
Philippine Airlines introduces the Airbus A350-1000 as its flagship, focusing on transpacific expansion and fleet modernization with nine aircraft ordered.
This article is based on an official press release from Philippine Airlines.
On January 17, 2026, Philippine Airlines (PAL) marked its 85th anniversary with a major fleet milestone, unveiling the Airbus A350-1000 as its new flagship aircraft. During a gala event held at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, the flag carrier announced that this acquisition signals a strategic “global turn,” moving the airline from a post-pandemic recovery phase into an era of aggressive modernization and network expansion.
According to the airline’s official announcement, the arrival of the A350-1000 represents a renewed focus on ultra-long-haul efficiency, specifically targeting high-yield transpacific routes to North America. The event was attended by key leadership figures, including PAL Holdings Inc. President Lucio Tan III and Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who underscored the airline’s role in national connectivity.
The centerpiece of the anniversary celebration was the first of nine ordered A350-1000 aircraft, bearing the registration RP-C3510. PAL confirmed that the first unit arrived in late December 2025. The carrier has outlined a delivery timeline for the remaining fleet, with five additional aircraft scheduled to arrive throughout 2026 and the final three expected by 2027.
PAL noted that the A350-1000 offers significant environmental benefits, citing a 25% reduction in fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft. The new flagship is also compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aligning with broader industry goals for decarbonization.
To support its premium positioning on long-haul sectors, PAL has configured the A350-1000 with a high-density, tri-class layout accommodating 382 passengers. The configuration details released by the airline include:
The airline emphasized that the cabin environment is engineered to mitigate jet lag, utilizing lower cabin altitude technology and advanced air filtration systems. Passengers across all cabins will have access to 4K in-flight entertainment screens and Wi-Fi connectivity.
PAL executives described the “global turn” strategy as a pivot toward quality and efficiency over sheer volume. The A350-1000 will serve as the backbone of the airline’s transpacific network, which includes non-stop routes to New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the recently launched service to Seattle.
In a statement regarding the airline’s direction, Lucio Tan III, President and COO of PAL Holdings Inc., highlighted the symbolic importance of the new fleet: “The new aircraft represents PAL’s renewed confidence on the global stage.”
Richard Nuttall, who was appointed President of Philippine Airlines in May 2025, echoed these sentiments. As the airline’s first foreign president, Nuttall is tasked with adding a “global dimension” to the carrier’s operations, ensuring the product competes effectively with top-tier international rivals.
The deployment of the A350-1000 marks a definitive conclusion to PAL’s restructuring era. Following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2021, the airline has focused heavily on financial rehabilitation. The investment in these nine wide-body aircraft, valued at over $300 million per unit at list prices, though airlines typically negotiate discounts, suggests a return to financial health and a willingness to invest capital in securing market share on lucrative US-Philippines routes.
By operating the A350-1000, PAL becomes the first Southeast Asian carrier to utilize this specific variant. This gives the airline a potential competitive advantage in terms of range and payload capability, allowing for non-stop flights that bypass traditional stopovers, a key selling point for business travelers and the extensive Filipino diaspora in North America.
When will the new A350-1000 enter service? How many A350-1000s has PAL ordered? What routes will the new aircraft fly?
Philippine Airlines Unveils A350-1000 Flagship at 85th Anniversary Gala
Fleet Modernization and Delivery Schedule
Cabin Configuration and Amenities
Strategic “Global Turn” to North America
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The first aircraft arrived in December 2025. While specific commercial flight dates were not detailed in the gala announcement, the aircraft is intended for immediate integration into the long-haul network in 2026.
Philippine Airlines has a firm order for nine (9) A350-1000 aircraft.
The fleet is designated for non-stop transpacific flights to the United States and Canada, including key destinations like New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
Sources
Photo Credit: Philippine Star