Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to acquire nine additional A350-1000 aircraft, with purchase rights for five more, the carrier announced Tuesday. The agreement, reported by BusinessWorld, marks a significant step in PAL's long-haul expansion and fleet renewal.
The A350-1000 is the largest variant of Airbus's twin-engine wide-body family, capable of carrying over 350 passengers on routes up to 16,000 kilometers. PAL currently operates a mixed fleet of A330s, A321s, and earlier A350 variants, and the new jets will replace older aircraft while opening new long-haul destinations from Manila.
The deal underscores PAL's commitment to strengthening its position in the competitive transpacific market, where it serves cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Delivery timelines and additional route plans are expected to be finalized as the MoU progresses toward a firm order.