Summary
Philippine Airlines is set to announce an order for 10 Airbus A350s and 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2026, marking its first Boeing purchase since 2007 and the largest widebody order in its history. The dual-supplier strategy will replace aging Airbus A330-300s, expand transpacific capacity, and align with the carrier’s upcoming entry into the oneworld alliance.
The order comes as PAL already deploys its flagship A350-1000 with privacy-door suites on routes to Vancouver, Toronto, and New York. A formal announcement is expected within days, with delivery timelines likely stretching from 2027 to 2030.
The order signals a decisive pivot for the Manila-based flag carrier. By splitting the purchase evenly between Boeing and Airbus, Philippine Airlines is hedging supply-chain risks while securing the two most advanced widebody platforms for its long-haul network. The Boeing 787 will return the American manufacturer to PAL’s order book after nearly two decades, while additional A350s extend a relationship that already includes the A350-1000 — a jet now flying with 42 business-class suites featuring full-flat beds and privacy doors.
For premium travelers, the fleet renewal means more consistent, next-generation cabins on the carrier’s most important corridors. PAL has already confirmed capacity increases on its Vancouver, Toronto, and New York routes for the upcoming winter season, and the new aircraft will underpin further expansion. The order coincides with the airline’s preparation to join the oneworld alliance, which will connect Mabuhay Miles members to over 1,000 destinations and unlock partner award space.
The A350-1000 currently offers a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access, 20.25-inch seat width, and 44 inches of pitch — a product that rivals Qatar Airways’ Qsuite and British Airways’ Club Suite. The incoming 787s are expected to feature similarly enclosed premium seating, a leap beyond PAL’s older 777-300ER business class, which lacks privacy doors. With the formal announcement anticipated at the Farnborough International Airshow from July 14 to 18, the carrier is poised to lock in its fleet strategy for the next decade.
The fleet order in detail
The planned acquisition comprises 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Airbus A350s, though the specific variant mix remains unconfirmed. Industry sources suggest the A350 portion will likely include additional -1000s, given PAL already operates two of the type and has seven more on firm order. The 787 order could include a mix of -9 and -10 models, optimized for transpacific and potential European routes.
The new jets will gradually replace PAL’s nine Airbus A330-300s, which currently serve medium-haul international routes with a dated business-class product. The A350-1000 already in service features a cabin with 42 business-class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 316 economy seats, as detailed on the airline’s official A350-1000 page. The 787 is expected to bring similar next-generation comfort, including larger windows, improved cabin pressure, and advanced LED lighting.
PAL’s last Boeing order was in 2007, when it purchased two 777-300ERs. Since then, its widebody fleet has leaned heavily toward Airbus, with A350-900s and A350-1000s forming the backbone of long-haul operations. The new Boeing commitment restores a dual-manufacturer balance and gives the airline operational flexibility across different route profiles.
| Aircraft | Seat product | Key specs | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| A350-1000 (current) | Mabuhay Class suite | 42 seats, 1-2-1, 20.25″ width, 44″ pitch, full-flat | Privacy doors |
| A350-900 (current) | Mabuhay Class | 30 seats, 1-2-1, 20″ width, full-flat | No doors |
| 777-300ER (current) | Mabuhay Class | 42 seats, 2-3-2, 20″ width, angled-flat | No doors |
| 787 (expected) | Next-gen suite | 1-2-1, full-flat, enhanced IFE, LED lighting | Privacy doors expected |
Flight deals most people never see
Our AI monitors 150+ airlines for pricing anomalies that traditional search engines miss. Air Traveler Club members save $650 per trip per person on average: see how it works.
Each deal saves 40–80% vs. regular fares:
Why the dual order matters for premium travelers
The split order isn’t just about fleet math — it’s a strategic bet on the North America–Southeast Asia corridor. PAL’s new A350-1000 already offers a business-class hard product that matches the best in the sky, and adding 787s will let the airline deploy premium-heavy cabins on thinner routes or secondary cities. Air Traveler Club’s analysis of United’s premium capacity doubling shows how fleet modernization directly reshapes award availability and elite upgrade chances — a pattern that will repeat as PAL’s new jets enter service.
The oneworld entry, expected later in 2026, amplifies the impact. Mabuhay Miles elite members will gain lounge access, priority boarding, and redemption opportunities across the alliance. Combined with the new aircraft, the loyalty proposition shifts from a niche program to a globally competitive one. For North American travelers, this means more consistent premium experiences whether flying PAL metal or connecting via Cathay Pacific or Japan Airlines.
How to position for PAL’s premium expansion
The fleet renewal and alliance entry create a window for premium travelers to lock in value before award pricing and availability shift. Here’s what to watch and act on:
- Book A350-1000 routes now for the best hard product. PAL’s privacy-door suites already operate on Vancouver, Toronto, and New York flights. Search for award space via Mabuhay Miles or partner programs — availability tends to be better on the airline’s own metal before oneworld integration floods demand.
- Monitor 787 deployment for new route possibilities. The 787’s lower trip costs could open nonstop service to secondary North American cities or European destinations. Early booking windows on new routes often feature promotional award pricing.
- Align elite status with oneworld entry. If you’re close to a Mabuhay Miles tier, consider a mileage run on PAL before the alliance switch. Post-entry, Gold status will grant lounge access across oneworld, a benefit that currently requires Platinum on PAL alone.
- Watch for partner award sweet spots. Once PAL joins oneworld, American Airlines AAdvantage and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members may gain access to PAL award space at favorable rates. Historically, new alliance members offer generous partner award availability in the first months.
- Don’t overlook premium economy. The A350-1000’s 24 premium economy seats at 19 inches wide and 38 inches of pitch rival many carriers’ older business class. On 15-hour flights, this cabin can be a sweet spot for comfort without the full business-class fare.
Watch for the formal order announcement at the Farnborough Airshow (July 14–18, 2026) — if confirmed, delivery timelines will clarify when the 787s start reshaping the network, likely from 2027 onward.
FAQ
When will Philippine Airlines receive the new A350s and 787s?
Delivery timelines have not been officially confirmed, but industry expectations point to a window between 2027 and 2030. PAL already has seven more A350-1000s arriving through 2027, so the additional A350s and 787s will likely follow in the late 2020s.
How will oneworld entry affect award bookings on Philippine Airlines?
Once PAL joins oneworld, partner programs like American Airlines AAdvantage and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan should gain access to PAL award space. Mabuhay Miles members will also be able to redeem on oneworld partners, expanding redemption options significantly. Expect initial partner award availability to be relatively generous as PAL integrates into the alliance.
Which routes will the Boeing 787 serve?
The 787s are expected to deploy primarily on transpacific routes to North America, complementing the A350-1000s. They could also open new nonstop services to secondary cities in the U.S. and Canada, and potentially European destinations, given the aircraft’s long range and lower operating costs.
Read more
