(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor) Flag carrier Philippine Airlines
(PAL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for the purchase of nine A350-1000s for its ultra-long-haul fleet project.
The A350-1000 will be operated for non-stop services from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the US and Canada.
The new aircraft will join two A350-900s already in service and currently flying to destinations in North America, Asia and Australia.
As with the A350-900, the PAL A350-1000s will have separate Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class cabins.
Stanley Ng, president and chief operating officer of Philippine Airlines, said the range of the A350-1000 would enable the airline to fly non-stop transpacific and transpolar routes in both directions all year.
These will include some of the longest commercial flights in the world, such as those linking the Philippines with New York and Toronto. With an expanded A350 fleet, PAL will have the ability to once again provide a direct link from the Philippines to Europe.
“The A350-1000 combines greater range capability with the higher capacity needed to serve future demand. It's the perfect aircraft to enable PAL to meet its expansion plans in a sustainable way while offering passengers the highest levels of onboard comfort,” he said.
Best possible experience
We are committed to offering our passengers the best possible travel experience, and these state-of-the-art aircraft will enable us to do just that as we carry out our mission to connect the world, and grow trade and tourism.”
“Flying passengers farther and in greater comfort, the A350 brings a step-change in fuel efficiency and an immediate significant contribution to reduced emissions. We look forward to working closely with our long-standing customer Philippine Airlines as it moves forward with its long-haul fleet modernization program,”
Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer, said.
At the end of April 2023, the A350 Airbus line had won 928 firm orders from 54 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful wide-body aircraft ever.
Some 530 aircraft are currently in the fleets of 40 airlines, flying primarily on long-haul routes.
Philippine Airlines operates various Airbus types on its network. In addition to the A350 on long-haul intercontinental routes, PAL flies A330-300s on services to the Middle East.
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