Philippine Airlines Welcomes Its First A350-1000

‍MANILA / TOULOUSE — Philippine Airlines (PR) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first airline in Southeast Asia to operate the type and marking a major milestone in its long-haul fleet renewal strategy.

The aircraft arrived in Manila at 4:30 p.m. following a delivery ceremony in Toulouse, France, and is the first of nine A350-1000s on order as part of PAL’s expansion program. Configured with a tri-class cabin for up to 382 passengers, the aircraft is expected to serve the carrier’s transpacific routes.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the A350-1000 delivers up to 25% lower fuel burn and CO₂ emissions compared with previous-generation aircraft and is certified to operate with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends. The addition brings Philippine Airlines’ total fleet to 82 aircraft.

PAL executives describe the arrival as a transformational step in modernizing the airline’s long-haul offering and strengthening its global competitiveness.

What This Means for the Market‍

The A350-1000’s entry into Southeast Asia underscores continued airline demand for ultra-efficient, long-range widebodies that combine fleet renewal, sustainability gains, and network flexibility in a single platform