Bautista: Philippine Airlines Still Deciding Long Haul Aircraft

Amidst reports from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation surfacing that Philippine Airlines decided to go with six Airbus A350-900s, the company's President Jaime Bautista said to Reuters that they have yet to do so, instead maintaining that their decision is expected to come out before the year ends.

Image by: Angelo Agcamaran/PPSG

Moreover, instead of the eight long-haul aircraft they originally asked for, Bautista also indicated that they are increasing the number they need to up to 12.  Six of these orders are slated for delivery by 2018 and with an option for another six for delivery by 2020.  

Bautista said that the increased orders is fuelled by increasing demand for long-haul flights to the United States and Europe.  According to the flag carrier's president, they will either go with the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787.  In addition to one of these types of aircrafts, Philippine Airlines will also receive two Boeing 777-300ERs starting late 2016.  

The flag carrier currently has 6 Boeing 777-300ERs, 6 Airbus A340-300s, and 15 Airbus A330-300s capable of serving medium and long-haul destinations.  The 777s usually serve key destinations in North America, the Airbus A340-300s also serve North America as well as London, whilst the Airbus A330s serve Australia and the Middle East.  

Since the United States' Federal Aviation Administration restored a Category 1 status, Philippine Airlines wasted no time in expanding and upgrading its service offerings on its US flights.  In addition to reallocating its 777s to US destinations, Asia's first airline also reopened service to New York.  As new aircrafts will enter the fleet in the coming years, it also hinted out that non-stop flights to the east coast of North America may be possible subject to market conditions and negotiation for air traffic rights over the north pole.  

Source: ABS-CBN News

15 comments:

  1. Pal Should go for the B777LR if they want range without payload restrictions....

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    1. No payload restrictions on the 787 if you reduce a few seats which is what is done on the 777LR as it is basically a -200 with extra fuel...Now the 350 that really shows lack of range when SIA knows they can only sell it as full business at 178 passengers....POC

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    2. you both have absolutely no clue what your talking about, your indeed spending too mych time on google and internet.

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  2. If it ain't Boeing....clearly Boeing would be a better choice even if most airlines have squeezed in one more economy class seat across the cabin than should be the case.

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    1. I agree 100% The 777 is the best airplane in their fleet. The 747 WAS their best airplane, the 737 long ago had better reliability than the 320. The 340 is considered a dog in the industry. Go 787 it is proven and the 350 is likely to meet the expectations of the other Airbus fleet....

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    2. I agree I think b787 is the right choice than the airbus 350

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    3. you have absolutely no clue what your talking about, The 787 Dreamliner needs ground maintenance every 6th flight. It maybe the most fuel efficient, but the highest per seat most expensive to maintain. many of the Boeing Technology is that of other countries and airlines. Boeing is just an assembly plant that outsource its parts now. The Airbus 350 is presently replacing all aging 767,777. THATS A FACT!

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  3. Simple economics: Either "no hay dinero" or drag on to utilize PAL's infamous ex-Iberia A340s with lots of problems due to old age! Just buy half Boeing and half Airbus. Let's see what Bautista would do (as a result of all pressures from all directions of the business world!

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    1. Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic have disposed of their A340s and now are utilizing B787 and/or A350 aircrafts. Why PAL's Bautista is unable to make a snap decision has to do with pressures from Europe (Airbus) and USA (Boeing). What a dilemma; hopefully Bautista will not have a heart attack!, he he he he he he

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  4. Please go for B787 /Dreamliner... pls, pls, pls....pretty pls!

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  5. If they can't decidr if a350 or 787 they just purchase 6 a350's and 6 787's

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  6. Please not go for 787, a very cramped aircraft!

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  7. I cant believed when i flew Pal B777 last sunday dec.20 from Yyz-Yvr-Mnl it was a fully booked flight that pal customer service asking passengers voluntarily with hand carry baggage to have free of charged check in..but one thing it really give my attention inside the plane that some food tray in the evonomy seats are broken..and some seat covers are torn up..hope pal will fix all this interior problems inside its B777ER

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  9. A350 is the best aircraft in terms of space, quietness and comfort. This is the best aircraft from Airbus of course the A380 if PAL can afford to buy a $428 Million aircraft. They have also A350-900ULR which is currently on production and was ordered by Singapore Airlines for their SIN-JFK or Newark, New York route. If PAL will choose A350, they will attract more customers but it should depends on their services. I heard they are aiming to be on Five Star status, then PAL should carefully review their inflight services and all other services that they are offering.

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