Philippine Airlines to order 15 Boeing 787-10s and 9 Airbus A350-1000s at Farnborough

Summary

Philippine Airlines is poised to order 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and nine additional Airbus A350-1000s at the Farnborough Airshow on July 14, 2026 — a combined deal that would introduce the 787-10 to its fleet for the first time while expanding its A350-1000 fleet to a total of 18 aircraft.

The A350-1000 already operates Manila–JFK with door-equipped business suites, but the 787-10 delivery timeline — likely starting 2028 — means the full transformation remains years away. The formal announcement could trigger shifts in award availability and schedule planning on key transpacific routes.

The Farnborough Airshow opens next week with Philippine Airlines set to make the biggest fleet statement in its 85-year history. Industry sources confirm the flag carrier will announce a dual widebody order from Airbus and Boeing, replacing aging long-haul aircraft with two of the most modern types in the air.

Already in service on the Manila–JFK route, the A350-1000 features 42 Collins Aerospace Super Diamond suites with privacy doors — a product leap that vaulted PAL into the top tier of Southeast Asian premium cabins. The 15 additional A350-1000s and nine 787-10s will phase out the 777-300ER fleet, expanding the carrier’s reach to new nonstop routes in North America and Australia.

For premium travelers, the dual-type strategy means more aircraft equipped with lie-flat suites on long-haul sectors, but also a split cabin experience as the airline juggles three widebody families during the transition. The A350-1000’s 1-2-1 business class with 20.25-inch seat width and full-flat recline will eventually become the common standard, though 787-10 specifications remain unconfirmed.

The fleet renewal timeline

The Airbus delivery log shows the first A350-1000 arrived in December 2025, followed by a second on May 29, 2026. Five more are scheduled through the rest of 2026, with the final three by 2027, completing the original nine-aircraft order. The Farnborough agreement would add nine more A350-1000s to the backlog alongside the entirely new Boeing commitment.

PAL has never operated the 787 — a gap that will disappear with this order. The 787-10 is expected to serve longer-thin routes where the A350-1000’s capacity is too large, unlocking direct services to Sydney, Vancouver, and secondary U.S. cities.

Where this fits in Asia-Pacific’s premium surge

The dual-source strategy mirrors the Lufthansa Group’s $7.7 billion order for 10 A350-900s and 10 787-9s in May 2026—an industry pattern that balances range versus capacity. Air Traveler Club’s coverage of APAC premium travel expansion confirms this wave of investment is reshaping long-haul corridors across the region, with PAL joining carriers betting that business-class demand will stay robust.

The A350-1000 already competes directly with Singapore Airlines’ doorless A350-10 on Manila–North America connections. PAL’s door-equipped suites provide a privacy advantage that the 777-300ER’s open-shell cabin never could—and that gap will only widen as the 787-10 enters service.

What the Farnborough order means for booking now

The A350-1000 already flies Manila–JFK with award space available through Mabuhay Miles and partner programs—but inventory remains tight on this premium-heavy route. The upcoming order won’t change near-term availability, but if PAL confirms additional A350-1000 deliveries accelerating into 2027, expect an increase in award seats on North America routes. Watch for the official announcement during the airshow; if the 787-10 commitment includes a specific delivery schedule, new route launches could be mapped as early as Q1 2027, with first flights in 2028-2029. No immediate booking action is required, but travelers targeting Manila–Sydney or Manila–Vancouver in the late 2020s should track PAL’s fleet updates for direct-service potential.

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