The Southeast Asian nation’s first airline is undergoing a $2 billion (£1.4 billion) expansion programme to make its fleet one of the youngest in Asia.

“It is one airplane we can consider. It is a bigger version of the A350-900,” Jaime Bautista, president of the airline’s operator, PAL Holdings Inc, told reporters before an A350-1000 test flight in the capital Manila.

There is commonality in spare parts between the A350-900 and the A350-1000 and Philippine Airlines’ pilots can fly both aircraft, Bautista added.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is interested in acquiring the new US$366-million Airbus A350-1000, which arrived in Manila for the first time yesterday for a series of demonstration flights, PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista told reporters.

rotating14 wrote:

I'm sorry but how does an aircraft they'd "consider", whether leasing or buying, equate to acquiring the aforementioned aircraft?

For all we know they might be considering the A35K in discussions with another RFP or otherwise.

LurveBus wrote:

rotating14 wrote:

I'm sorry but how does an aircraft they'd "consider", whether leasing or buying, equate to acquiring the aforementioned aircraft?

For all we know they might be considering the A35K in discussions with another RFP or otherwise.

Those with insider info claim that PAL fleet planners are very interested. Plus, PAL has 6 A350 options that it has yet to firm up.

I personally think that a young fleet of 10 77Ws would be better complemented by A359s as opposed to A35Ks, but that’s just me.

idp5601 wrote:

The A359 would be too small for LAX/SFO ops, especially given the premium-heavy (at least for PAL) 295 seat configuration they're going to install.

idp5601 wrote:

Sorry for reviving a moribund thread, but according to a very reliable source from another aviation forum, PAL are already talking to a lessor about the A350-1000.

SQ22 wrote:

So this would mean they are in talks with Air Lease Corporation. They are the only lessor with A350-1000 in the books (for the time being).

https://www.airleasecorp.com/press/air- ... o-aircraft

Devilfish wrote:

SQ22 wrote:

Maybe things have moved on since the dates in that article...it may be helpful to check their current portfolio. This could mean other lessors now have A35Ks for placement or about to order some.

SQ22 wrote:

No changes, there is only an order of two frames for (an) undisclosed customer(s) and I guess that is a bit small for a lessor.