The new addition to Philippine Airlines' aircraft fleet widens its flight route network: A350-1000. This Ultra Long Haul Fleet would carry more passengers and fly on non-stop services from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the US and Canada as PAL promises the best possible travel experience.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has finalized a purchase agreement with Airbus for the firm order of nine A350-1000 long-range aircraft to augment the airline's current fleet.
The A350 is the world's most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and has set new standards for intercontinental travel. It offers the longest range capability of any commercial airliner in production today and is capable of flying 9,700 nautical miles or 18,000 kilometers non-stop.
According to PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, the A350-1000 has been selected under the Philippine carrier's Ultra Long Haul Fleet project and will fly on non-stop services from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the US and Canada. The new aircraft will join two A350-900s already in service at the airline.
"At present, we have 69 aircraft on our fleet. Prior to the pandemic, we had 98 planes. The 9 brand new orders will bring the fleet count to close to 80. That will address the current need for more planes and widen our flight route network," Villaluna said in a Viber message.
PAL's A350-1000 fleet will be able to accommodate 380 passengers in a three-class layout, with separate cabins for Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class.
Villaluna said the purchase agreement was signed during the Paris Air Show by Captain Stanley K. Ng, president and chief operating officer of Philippine Airlines, and Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, in the presence of Lucio C. Tan III, president & chief operating officer of PAL Holdings, Inc.
"This order will see PAL operating one of the youngest and most modern widebody fleets in Asia. We selected the A350-1000 to give PAL the power to match capacity closely to predicted demand on both the very longest routes to the North American East Coast but also on our prime trunk routes to the West Coast and potentially to Europe as well. At the same time the aircraft will use significantly less fuel than older aircraft of a similar size, which also brings an important reduction in carbon emissions," Ng said.
"At PAL, we are committed to offering our passengers the best possible travel experience. These state-of-the-art aircraft will enable us to give them the convenience of non-stop flights on long range routes in a comfortable passenger cabin where our cabin crew can do what they do best - extend gracious service and world-class Filipino hospitality. The A350-1000 is our "Mission Aircraft" to connect the world and boost the Philippine economy and society,"
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