Philippine Airlines is expected to unveil an upgraded business class experience at the end of this year when the Manila-based airline takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000.
Nine of the long-range jets are due to join the PAL fleet through to 2027.
Under the airline’s Ultra Long Haul Fleet project, those jets “will be operated on non-stop services from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the US and Canada” with cities such as New York and Toronto.
Options on an further three A350-1000s will “allow future expansion to new long haul destinations” including “a direct link from the Philippines to Europe,” Philippine Airlines President Captain Stanley K. Ng has said.
“The A350-1000 combines greater range capability with the higher capacity we need 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.”
Ng added the airline would invest in “improved cabins” for the A350-1000s, which would certainly represent a shift from the current A350-900 and A330 business class.
This relies on the popular Vantage XL platform from Thompson Aero, albeit in a less customised form than the Qantas, LATAM and Virgin Atlantic iterations.
Thompson has since evolved its Vantage XL line to include a more refined appearance and optional suite doors…
… while the all-new Vantage Nova brings together the latest business class trends in a elegant design with residential-style cues.
Of course, PAL has plenty of options to choose from – and by now will have made that choice, with the possibility of a formal announcement and launch in April at the annual Aircraft Interiors Expo held in Hamburg, Germany.
Also read: ET reviews Malaysia Airlines’ A330neo business class