In June 2023, Philippine Airlines made a notable procurement of nine Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The initial jet, designated as RP-C3510, was handed over in December 2025, positioning Philippine Airlines as the inaugural Southeast Asian carrier to acquire this aircraft type. The A350-1000 is renowned for its extended-range capabilities, capable of flying up to 8,700 nautical miles without stopping, making it perfect for ultra-long-haul flights from Manila to North America, including the U.S. East Coast and Canada.
This acquisition is a part of Philippine Airlines’ plan to broaden its ultra-long-haul fleet. The airline’s existing wide-body fleet consists of 11 Airbus A330-300s, two Airbus A350-900s, and 10 Boeing 777-300ERs. The introduction of the A350-1000 will diversify and enhance the airline’s long-haul operational capacity.
The A350-1000 is designed with 382 seats across three cabin classes: business, premium economy, and economy. The business class features 42 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats, providing 42 inches of pitch along with modern conveniences such as USB ports and wireless charging. Premium economy consists of 24 seats in a 2-4-2 layout, offering 38 inches of pitch. In contrast, the economy class is more closely packed with 316 seats in a 3-4-3 configuration, making Philippine Airlines the first full-service airline to employ this arrangement on the A350.
While the business class delivers a high-quality experience, the cramped economy class configuration might pose challenges to the airline’s assertion of providing a “world-class experience.” Nonetheless, the advanced economics and performance of the A350-1000 are anticipated to substantially enhance the airline’s long-haul operations.