As Philippine Airlines (PAL) looks to expand its long-haul routes and strengthen its position in the global aviation market, there has been a lot of speculation among aviation enthusiasts about which planes the airline might choose. With PAL’s current long-range fleet consisting of the 370-seater Boeing 777-300ER and the 295-seater A350-900, it seems that the airline could use another long-range aircraft to offer more flexibility in servicing long-haul routes. Enter the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a plane that could provide PAL with the perfect balance of passenger capacity, cargo revenue, and operational flexibility.
While these are still speculations, and the airline has not yet announced any aircraft orders, let’s explore why the Boeing 787-9 might be the ideal addition to PAL’s future fleet.
During its 82nd anniversary celebration, PAL announced plans to enhance its cargo operations by introducing new cargo services. It’s possible that PAL may open new cargo routes in markets with lower passenger demand. At the moment, PAL’s long-range aircraft include the Boeing 777-300ER, which seats over 300 passengers, and the A350-900, which accommodates 295. Although PAL also operates the A330-300 with a seating capacity of 307 passengers in a tri-class configuration, this aircraft lacks the range needed for non-stop flights between Manila and the United States.
Why Add the Boeing 787-9?
The idea of PAL operating a Boeing 787-9 in the future comes to mind after comparing it to the Airbus A330-900neo. PAL would certainly be interested in connecting far-flung markets with large numbers of OFWs and Filipino tourists. However, operating the Boeing 777-300ER and the A350-900 on these routes might be too large. A smaller-capacity aircraft with a high payload could fit the bill, and that’s where the 787-9 comes in.
So, why not just choose the A330-900neo and configure it for long-haul flights? After all, transitioning from the A330-300 to the A330-900neo would be a breeze for pilots. Let’s take a look at this comparison between both aircraft to better understand their differences.
| Specification | Boeing 787-9 | Airbus A330-900neo |
|---|---|---|
| Pilots | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum Passengers (2-class) | 290 | 260-300 |
| Maximum Passengers (single class) | 406 | 460 |
| Length | 206 ft 1 in (62.8 m) | 208 ft 10 in (63.66 m) |
| Cabin Width | 18 ft (5.49 m) | 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m) |
| Wing Span | 197 ft 3 in (60.12 m) | 210 ft (64 m) |
| Engines | General Electric GEnx-1B / | Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 |
| Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 | ||
| Thrust | 71,000 lbf (316 kN) | 72,000 lbf (320 kN) |
| Speed | Mach 0.85 (567 mph, 913 km/h) | Mach 0.86 (567 mph, 913 km/h) |
| Range | 7,635 nautical miles (14,140 km) | 7,200 nautical miles (13,334 km) |
| Payload | 116,000 lbs (52,616 kg) | 101,999 lbs (46,267 kg) |
| Operating Empty Weight | 284,000 lbs (128,850 kg) | 286,601 lbs (130,000 kg) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) | 561,000 lbs (254,474 kg) | 553,000 lbs (250,836 kg) |
| Price (as of 2021) | $292.5 million | $296.4 million |
Based on the chart above, let’s discuss why the Boeing 787-9 might be an excellent addition to PAL’s future long-haul fleet. I’m not suggesting that the A330 should be phased out; rather, both aircraft could work in tandem. The A330neo could serve PAL’s dense Middle East routes, while the Boeing 787-9 could cater to long-haul routes with lower passenger demand and higher cargo revenue potential.
Flexibility in Cargo and Passenger Capacity
A key objective for PAL is increasing cargo revenue and expanding cargo flights. With a payload capacity of 116,000 lbs, the Boeing 787-9 surpasses the Airbus A330-900neo’s 101,999 lbs, enabling PAL to transport more cargo per flight. This boosts revenue and enhances efficiency. Additionally, the 787-9’s passenger capacity of up to 290 in a two-class configuration offers flexibility for routes with lower passenger load factors, optimizing fleet usage by deploying larger A350 and 777 aircraft on high-demand routes and the 787-9 on less crowded ones.
Extended Range for Long-Haul Routes
The 787-9 boasts an impressive range of 7,635 nautical miles, making it ideal for long-haul flights connecting Manila and Cebu to key destinations in Europe and the United States. Not only does it have a longer range than the A330-900neo, but it also has a higher payload capacity, giving PAL more flexibility to service routes with lower passenger demand but high cargo demand. This aligns well with the airline’s goal of increasing cargo revenue.
With the 787-9’s range, PAL can explore new routes like Manila to Milan, Manila to Frankfurt, Manila to Chicago, Cebu to Los Angeles, Cebu to San Francisco, Manila to Paris, Cebu to Vancouver, and Manila to Rome. These fresh routes can help PAL tap into underserved markets, attract more passengers, and fuel the airline’s growth.
Launching long-haul flights to U.S. mainland destinations like Los Angeles and San Francisco from Cebu could be another game-changer for PAL, as long-haul flights have always been their bread and butter.
While PAL’s current A330s, with more than 300 seats, are perfect for the airline’s Middle East routes, they lack the range and payload capacity required for long-haul ambitions. The 787-9 offers significant improvements in range and payload while still maintaining a profitable passenger capacity, allowing PAL to cater to long-haul routes more effectively.
Cost Efficiency and Operational Advantages
The Boeing 787-9’s price of $292.5 million (as of 2021) is slightly lower than the Airbus A330-900neo’s $296.4 million, making it a more cost-effective option for PAL. Additionally, the 787-9 is known for its fuel efficiency, thanks to its advanced aerodynamics, materials, and engines. This can result in significant fuel savings, further enhancing PAL’s profitability.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that airline fleet planners consider numerous factors when deciding to purchase an aircraft. The points I’ve shared above are based on my personal perspective and may not align with the fleet planner’s considerations. If you’re interested in learning more about how airlines select planes for their fleet, I recommend reading this.
Ultimately, the best course of action is to wait for an official announcement from PAL. As of now, aviation forums predict that the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 787-9 are the most likely candidates to join PAL’s long-haul fleet. However, these are merely speculations and may change once PAL reveals its aircraft orders.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
