The finalized deal between Philippine Airlines and Airbus, which includes the purchase of nine A350-1000 widebody jets, was a highlight of the 2023 Paris Air Show. With the agreement signed and sealed, PAL is gearing up to welcome these new aircraft into their fleet. One standout feature of this deal is that the A350-1000 jets will be equipped with a total of 380 seats, giving them an edge over PAL’s existing Boeing 777-300ER jets, which offer 10 seats less.
A Peek Inside the New Airbus A350-1000
A closer look at the seating layout of the A350-1000 reveals a tri-class configuration. It’s set to include 42 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and a substantial economy section accommodating 314 passengers. Though this configuration is less dense than Qatar Airways’ A350-1000, which boasts room for 395 passengers, it does stir curiosity among aviation enthusiasts. Many are intrigued about the comfort and experience the 3-4-3 abreast seating arrangement in the economy class will provide.
In contrast, PAL’s current A350-900 offers an economy class with a 3-3-3 abreast seating configuration, which is already hailed for its comfort. As such, the upcoming change in the seating arrangement is sure to keep the airline’s patrons and aviation geeks alike in eager anticipation.
Future Developments in PAL’s Fleet
Stanley Ng, the chief executive of PAL, reveals that the airline, having taken its first Airbus (an A300B4) more than 40 years ago, is contemplating further changes to its fleet. The airline is “exploring options” to replace its ten A330-300s “in about three or four years’ time”. On their radar are the Boeing 787-9 and the Airbus A330neo.
The newly acquired A350s are slated to gradually replace the Boeing 777-300ERs between 2025 and 2027.
Reflections and Expectations
Taking a trip down memory lane, I recall the skepticism in 2009 before PAL received its Boeing 777-300ER. There were doubts about the 3-4-3 abreast economy class configuration since most airlines were only configuring them with a 3-3-3 abreast. However, once I had the chance to fly on the PAL 777s, I found the seats notably comfortable.
Looking ahead, I can’t wait to see what type of seats they’ll install in the new 380 seater PAL Airbus A350-1000. I’m crossing my fingers, hoping that the shoulder room width of the seats doesn’t dip below the ideal 18 inches.
The finalized deal between Philippine Airlines and Airbus marks a significant milestone in the Philippine aviation industry. This strategic move shows PAL’s commitment to enhancing their passengers’ comfort and overall flying experience. As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the new Airbus A350-1000s, I can’t help but look forward to what the future holds for PAL. I just hope they return the Skytrax initiatives they had started in 2015.
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!
