Airlines In The Philippines III

[ewh1]

Do you have a link?

[Evodesire]

All A321ceo Collins Pinnacle seats will be made in the Philippines.

[filipinoavgeek]

I know, but I was hoping that even the A35Ks would have gone all-Collins too so they could go all-in.

[seven13]

3 of PR’s A21Ns now equipped with Inmarsat’s wifi.
9930, 33 and 36. Hopefully the 777 gets them just before the holiday rush

[filipinoavgeek]

Does PAL have no plans to get Starlink or a competitor service for their WiFi? It would make their WiFi faster and also make free  full-flight WiFi more feasible, instead of the current WiFi where it's only free up to a limit.

[seven13]

The newly installed wifi is already unlimited across all class of service. Decent for basic browsing and chatting (messenger, viber, whatsapp, ig).

[Solblanc]

Once you’ve experienced starlink in the air, though… you really can’t go back. It’s amazing. Internet faster than on the ground. You can doomscroll. Watch TikTok or Netflix. Feels like the future

[poipoi]

Is it unlimited with a fee, or free internet access for all passengers?

[seven13]

poipoi wrote

Is it unlimited with a fee, or free internet access for all passengers?

It is unlimited and free for all passengers

[JNC03]

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is planning to refurbish its current fleet of long-range jets, a project that could cost as much as $315 million based on initial estimates.

After unveiling the refurbishment plan for its Airbus A321ceos, PAL is pushing ahead with the renovation of widebody planes A330-300s and Boeing 777-300ERs, which are assigned to fly to long-haul routes.

PAL president Richard Nuttall said the airline may have to invest at least $15 million to refurbish each of its A330s and 777s, totaling 11 and 10 in its fleet right now, respectively.


https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/10/13/2479381/pal-preparing-315-million-aircraft-refurbishment

[JNC03]

PAL president Richard Nuttall said the carrier is eyeing to acquire more widebody jets over the next decade, as it goes all-in on connecting Manila to all sides of the US.

However, Nuttall said PAL is keeping its doors open to purchasing from either Airbus or Boeing in spite of its recent history of ordering from the European planemaker.

“We now have to go through the process with various manufacturers and engine guys to see who gives the best deals, and then we make the decision of whether it is the Boeing 777, Airbus A350 or A330, or Boeing 787,” Nuttall said.


https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/10/13/2479385/airbus-lands-over-110-aircraft-orders-pal-cebu-pacific

[ewh1]

I guess its confirmed straight from the horses mouth. PAL is keeping the B777s until they can order and receive brand new frames. Probably the smart choice considering the supply chain issues that continue to plague manufacturers and their backlog.

Thus, It does suck that this refurbishment is 3 years away because of supply chain, but I guess it might not be too bad once PAL replaces their flagship routes with the A350-1000s and the B777s are relegated to secondary cities and/or other new destinations. In the meantime, some of those 2009-10 era aircraft could use a reupholster, at the very least, to freshen up the cabins.  


ALSO This is telling:

"Nuttall said he has received approval from PAL’s board of directors for this fleet expansion, and the airline will soon engage aircraft and engine makers to survey the best rates."

I guess they needed an experienced airline executive for the BoD to finally approve a new aircraft acquisition.

[JNC03]

Boeing 777? 77X?
Boeing 787s we know what it is -9 and -10
A350? A350-900 I think
A330? We know its the neo

[Arianespace]

You can safely scratch out the top list

[Arianespace]

ewh1 wrote

I guess they needed an experienced airline executive for the BoD to finally approve a new aircraft acquisition.

Not really. Stan was saying these things before. Definitive statement now was to refurbish the long haulers and the rest of the medium haulers. It was not there before.

[JNC03]

Since he mentioned fleet expansion

In reality PAL can order from both manufacturers

[Arianespace]

Yes. It was a general statement. A safe one. Stan got "bukol" when he was starting to make it more particular.

[filipinoavgeek]

I believe that PR will order the A330neos, they would be perfect for their Asia and Middle Eastern routes. The issue is that the A330neos are inadequate for North America and Europe, and the A35Ks may be too much plane. Unless they plan to keep the refurbished 777s for longer, they really need more aircraft like more A359s or even ordering the 787 to take up the slack. But if they do get the A330neo, that makes the case for the 787 less compelling. Are there airlines that operate both the 787 and A330neo? I'm sure there is at least one out there, but none are coming to mind at the moment.

[JNC03]

If it will serve different purpose then they will

A330-900neo can be used for regular tourist and OFWs to Asia and Middle East. It can also reach Australia

787 can be used by business travellers and tourist with deep pockets for transpacific flights and connecting Visayas directly to the United States

[poipoi]

Philippine Airlines could really use a fleet refresh soon.

Replace the older A330-300s with the A330-900neo for Middle East and Australia routes where demand is medium to high but does not require the capacity of the 777.

Use the 787-9 or the current A350-900 for long, thin transpacific and other low-yield long-haul sectors. The 787-9/A350-900 provides an ideal balance of range, capacity, and fuel efficiency for transpacific flights that do not need the 777’s larger cargo and seat capacity. (Like East coast flights, CEBU-LAX or LHR flight)

The A350-1000 orders will probably replace PAL’s 777s on high-yield transpacific routes, with the option to add more aircraft if these routes continue to perform well.