Before making the switch to Airbus aircraft, Philippine Airlines (PAL) predominantly flew a fleet of Boeing planes, including the popular 737 model, Boeing’s top-seller. PAL utilized two versions of this aircraft, the 737-300 and 737-400, from 1989 until 2006. Some of these planes were even passed on to Air Philippines’ fleet. Currently, the Airbus A320 family is in the process of replacing the 737s, leaving us curious about the fate of PAL’s former 737 jets and whether they are still operational.
The Boeing 737 served as a key component of PAL’s fleet for domestic and short international routes. These aircraft were a familiar sight in our skies until 2005, which marked the beginning of PAL’s shift towards Airbus for their narrowbody fleet requirements. This move came at a time when Cebu Pacific started to introduce a fleet of brand new A320s and A319s, presenting an opportune moment for PAL to upgrade to more modern and fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft. This strategic update was crucial for PAL to stay competitive and maintain a more youthful fleet.
Although PAL no longer operates any 737s, neither as passenger nor cargo planes, several of these former PAL 737s continue to serve with other carriers, both as passenger and full freighter aircraft. PAL once operated a fleet of 18 Boeing 737s, comprising 15 units of the 737-300 model and three of the 737-400 variant. Out of the original 18, six are still active today, including five 737-300s and two 737-400s that once flew under the PAL banner.
Ex-PAL 737 Still Active
Exploring the current status of the ex-PAL Boeing 737 aircraft reveals that 5 out of the 15 former PAL 737-300s remain operational. The rest of the 737-300 fleet has been either stored, scrapped, or, in one unfortunate case, was written off following an explosion in 1989. Remarkably, all of the former PAL 737-400 aircraft have managed to stay in service. Given their age, these 737s, on average, must be over 30 years old now, showcasing the durability and longevity of the Boeing 737 series even beyond their initial service with Philippine Airlines.
737-300
- RP-C4011 now with Bluebird Airways as passenger aircraft but status is stored
- RP-C4010 now with European Aviation
- RP-C4007 now with Tarco Air as passenger aircraft
- RP-C4005 now with Sideral Air Cargo as cargo aircraft
- EI-BZH now with West Atlantic as cargo aircraft
737-400
- EI-CVO now with Fuerza Aerea Colombiana as cargo aircraft
- EI-CVN now with the Indonesian Air Force
It’s indeed interesting to see former PAL 737 jets still in operation. Regarding the potential for PAL to reintegrate Boeing 737 aircraft into their fleet, such as the 737 MAX, the likelihood seems low. For years, PAL has favored Airbus A320 family aircraft for its narrowbody fleet needs. Furthermore, a significant number of commercial pilots in the Philippines are already certified to fly the Airbus A320. Airbus’s strategy of cockpit commonality across its models offers a cost-effective advantage for airlines, as it simplifies pilot training when transitioning between different Airbus aircraft.
Currently, the only Boeing aircraft in PAL’s fleet is the 777-300ER, which has proven to be a reliable aircraft for the airline’s long-haul routes. This reliance on the Airbus fleet for narrowbody operations and the specific use of Boeing for long-haul flights reflects PAL’s strategic choices in fleet composition and pilot training efficiency.
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