Struggling To Grow? The Fleet Of Philippine Airlines In 2024

On the surface, not much has changed with the fleet of Philippine Airlines since our last deep dive into this carrier and its collection of aircraft. When we put out a video in October 2022 on this airline, it had 76 aircraft. Now, about one and a half years later, it has 79. Since the last Philippine Airlines fleet examination, we’ve seen the airline log its first post-pandemic profit. No doubt good news for executives working in Manila!

At the same time, however, we’ve also seen reports that the airline was facing difficulties in finding available Airbus A350 or Boeing 777 aircraft to meet the post-pandemic demand. As a result of the struggle, it has placed an order for brand new A350-1000s while reportedly considering newer replacements for its A330 fleet in the next few years.

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[brakinglate]

PAL's biggest mistake was selling some of its A350s to Lufthansa. Because of this it uses ancient A330s with cramped interiors.

[darylp]

I don't know but after recovering from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, PAL seems to be very cautious if not outright hesitant in expanding and modernizing its fleet. Hope they reconsider and add more A330 neos and A350's as well.

[inspecktorf]

I work as ticketing agent for South East Asia region. PR has always been easy airline to work with. Mabuhay

Philippine Airlines have the best pilots in the world. They land so smooth you barely notice we’ve already landed.

[Rasscasse]

The pandemic hit some of the Asian airlines are really hard, like Cathay for example, so PAL have done well to survive.
Having to wait a little bit longer for planes is unfortunate, but at least the business is still going.
I’m happy to see Cathay Pacific getting stronger now and it’s good news to hear that PAL have made a decent profit and have good prospects too. Onwards and upwards 👍

[CoSmicGoesRacing]

It’s nice to see PAL featured.

I hope that they start considering their next order to replace a few of their older A330ceos. (PAL has a mix of newer and older A330ceos)

It’s rumoured that PAL is looking at both the A330neo and 787 for that. We should expect the orders to be announced in the next 2-3 years.

Both the A330neo and 787 have their pros and cons in relation to PAL’s operations.

The A330neo would be an obvious no-brainer if PAL seeks to continue with fleet commonality. The A330 is proven type and if anything, forms a major backbone of PAL’s international network, mainly for Middle Eastern and most of its Asia-Pacific and Oceanic routes. The neo shares a lot in common with the ceo, and PAL doesn’t have to spend a lot on retraining pilots and maintenance crews. The disadvantage is that the A330 is an older design and it wouldn’t be as efficient as the 787.

The 787 on the other hand, would be a new type for PAL. Being a clean sheet design, It would allow greater operational flexibility as the plane would not only fulfill the A330ceo’s role perfectly, but its exceptional range and efficiency has the potential to allow PAL to expand into ultra long-haul markets in North America and Europe that dont see enough demand to justify using the 777 or A350. (Destinations like Istanbul, Las Vegas, and Rome) The disadvantage is that being a new type for PAL, the airline would have to spend quite a bit on retraining. The 787 does share a type rating with the 777… but PAL has a mostly Airbus fleet so it would factor in. In addition, PAL would need to hire new maintenance people specific to the 787, which would also cost a lot.

[AnAussieMallu]

I travelled on PR211 from Manila to Sydney on 25.04 (yesterday). It was a 330-300, the aircraft was super clean and absolutely love it and crew was so very friendly ❤.

But I was disappointed with flight delay and chaos on Manila Airport there is on escalator or lift, carrying the hand luggage and climbing the steps from one gate to another gate was like 😢😔.

[francistcp]

Excellent excellent update. Your coverage on multiple aspects of the airline industry, not just on operational news, is what makes your channel outstanding. Please post more updates like this on other airlines, especially those not frequently mentioned ones.

[minhyukleesbebe]

I'm really hopeful that PR will improve in the coming years, though I can pinpoint quite a bit of negative stuff as a consumer and a business student, they are still the airline that I would really love to work with in the future when I start my journey to entering the service industry.

[PhilippinesTravelFan]

As a Filipino, PAL will now expansion next year through additional aircraft like A350-1000, and soon for the Philippine Airlines will purchase Boeing 777X once New Manila Interational Airport completed

In my opinion, PAL does not purchase A330neo because Cebu Pacific has already ordered. PAL still flying A330ceo. In 2015 or 2014: PAL President and CEO Ramon S. Ang was reported from ABS-CBN NEWS in Manila, PAL planning to buy Boeing 787's maybe -8, -9, or -10

[jacobnathanielzpayag]

Letting go of the A350s was definitely a hard decision for the management but it had to be done to keep the arline afloat. Unfortunately, the cabin experience on older aircraft (particularly the A330) is severely lacking especially compared to the competition serving the same routes where the A330 is deployed.

[YuunaAndCuddles]

I have ridden PAL from MNL to TAG lately. On our return trip home, PR2777 was mega delayed, since it had to return to MNL for repairs. We managed to get home safely though. I've noticed too that the A320-214s need some good TLC, since most of them are 'middle aged'. I've even noticed scratches on the outside of the windows.

[kadabarVIM]

I guess stability for now is good for PAL.

As for their new A350Ks... Some sources say they're planning a 10-abreast configuration for the economy class. Wouldn't that be crammed? 😕

[nurrizadjatmiko]

Adding 2 Ex-Garuda Indonesia 777 to it's fleet is a pretty good idea because i am from Indonesia

[rmnvldz_]

Love to see my flag carrier get featured and recognize even with its small progress. It is indeed exciting to see PAL order the A35K, and having the same excitement on what PAL will replace its A330ceos. Hoping for the new A330neos!

[teresal]

Thanks for featuring PAL! Still has one of the handsomest liveries in the world!

[aeromtb]

my nephew just started flying the the dash 8 for them hopefully he progresses fast

[Gregory-Masovutch]

The prices of Philippine airlines is totally unaffordable today compared to a few years ago. Promos don't exist anymore. Delays are very common.

[emigratednorwegian]

I understand PAL is planning to establish a service to/from Paris during 2025. But realizing any such to/from Paris service requires that PAL has enough of aircrafts. As far as i know, the airline is not so sure about just that.
And what i have picked up: AirFrance starts operation PAR - MNL v v as of December to come. But will there be any coop PAL/AF somehow - like as code-share partners?. I do wish it were. And even better PAL joined the alliance Skyteam which AF is a member of. However likely to believe no coop other than PAL as a AF's handling agent.

[jlmarc]

Like PAL, but hard to travel with so many older folks and always crowded with its high prices