Airlines in the Philippines

[Arianespace]

And this is how JJB confirms the next batch.

“We ordered six of these aircraft.  The second will be delivered next month and two more within the year. The last two will be in the first quarter of 2019.  We have also options for another six aircraft which we can convert into A350-1000 series.  This will allow us to have more seats.  The initial discussion that we have with Airbus is we will have 370 seats,” said Bautista.

http://thestandard.com.ph/business/biz-plus/270482/pal-aims-for-five-star-rating-with-modern-tri-class-aircraft.html

Sometimes, they can be caught if you ask the right question.

[Solblanc]

If PAL had to pick one and only one new route to Europe, Brussels is actually an effective way to serve both Paris and Amsterdam in one go. Looking at the numbers, it isn't bad. They're right below FCO/MXP. Perfect for a NEO. Paris has better potential, though.

And I wonder when PAL will finally firm up those A350 options. No announcements planned during Farnborough?

[B77Wflyer]

“We ordered six of these aircraft.  The second will be delivered next month and two more within the year. The last two will be in the first quarter of 2019.  We have also options for another six aircraft which we can convert into A350-1000 series.  This will allow us to have more seats.  The initial discussion that we have with Airbus is we will have 370 seats,” said Bautista.

370-seats in A350-1000 sounds kind of a stretch considering the aircraft maximum capacity is 369-seats. However is not impossible by simply doing some modifications liked introducing slimer lavatories and eliminating the mid-galley at doors 3 and re-architecture of the rear galley area,  you can get it to 387-seats
 3
Image Courtesy of: Leehan Compamy,Inc.

[seven13]

Are the -1000 intended to replace the B77Ws?

[idp5601]

Odd, I was always under the assumption that the A350-1000s was going to be the middle option between the A359 and the 77W for long-haul ops. A 370 seater would mean that they'd have the same seats as their current triple sevens (which isn't exactly a configuration apt for an aspiring 5-star airline).

[seven13]

If the -1000is intended to fly ULH flights in lieu of 359s unavailability, unistalling the galley by L/R 3 is not an option.

[Arianespace]

Dmitrivich wrote

Philippine Airlines to introduce Manila-Sapporo route starting Sept. 10, 2018.
PR406 0450H Dep MWF
PR405 1740H Arr

PAL is already flying Sapporo. Or was that charters? Or maybe referring to A321N service?

[Arianespace]

B77Wflyer wrote

370-seats in A350-1000 sounds kind of a stretch considering the aircraft maximum capacity is 369-seats. However is not impossible by simply doing some modifications liked introducing slimer lavatories and eliminating the mid-galley at doors 3 and re-architecture of the rear galley area,  you can get it to 387-seats
 3

Image Courtesy of: Leehan Compamy,Inc.

I can almost see their configuration there. First 5 rows is I believe premium @ 8 seats a row. Surprisingly its 370 and its doesn't need slimmer lavs.

[seven13]

Those were charter flights.
The upcoming ones will be regular service.

[B77Wflyer]

I found another reference layout for the A350-1000 however this one is 369-seats version which is 18 seats less compared to Leeham version and also feature a Galley between Doors 3 which is similar to what PAL has on there A359.

A350-1000 Reference layout 369-seats.


Here is Leeham Company Reference layout enlarged  387-seat:

[Solblanc]

You can fit 32 Thompson Vantage XL seats (8 rows, 4-abreast at 45") and 24 Premium economy seats (3 rows, 8-abreast at 38") between doors 1 and 2. That's 56 seats. If you combine that with the basic 315 Y seats keeping all of the galleys intact, 32+24+315 = 371 seats. That wasn't so difficult now, was it?

[Arianespace]

idp5601 wrote

Odd, I was always under the assumption that the A350-1000s was going to be the middle option between the A359 and the 77W for long-haul ops. A 370 seater would mean that they'd have the same seats as their current triple sevens (which isn't exactly a configuration apt for an aspiring 5-star airline).

Odd indeed. While the A35k has that capacity that's not gonna work for a five star airline on long haul. Its gonna be tight and unpleasant. More like going backwards.

I also believe its the in-between between the A359 and B77w. So I think there was a misquote there. The ball park figure should be around 320-340. What I know about the 370 figure is from the B779. Probably a mixed up. JJB has plenty of those.

[idp5601]

Arianespace wrote

idp5601 wrote

Odd, I was always under the assumption that the A350-1000s was going to be the middle option between the A359 and the 77W for long-haul ops. A 370 seater would mean that they'd have the same seats as their current triple sevens (which isn't exactly a configuration apt for an aspiring 5-star airline).

Odd indeed. While the A35k has that capacity that's not gonna work for a five star airline on long haul. Its gonna be tight and unpleasant. More like going backwards.

I also believe its the in-between between the A359 and B77w. So I think there was a misquote there. The ball park figure should be around 320-340. What I know about the 370 figure is from the B779. Probably a mixed up. JJB has plenty of those.

Are PAL contemplating on ordering the 779?

[Arianespace]

Yes. They made that desire as early as 2014 as the new VLA long haul.

[oninBadz]

Which is best for PAL the A35K or the B777X? Or should they get both in the future?

[arema]

I just watched Sam Chui vlog of CX A350-1000. The CX plane has 334 seats = 46 J, 32 Y+, 256 Y. If PAL decides on the same plane, they can configure it to 366 seats = 32 J, 24 Y+, 310 Y without giving up much legroom?

[Arianespace]

oninBadz wrote

Which is best for PAL the A35K or the B777X? Or should they get both in the future?

I heard them saying they'll get both. As to which one is best, we really don't know as the 77x is still a paper plane. Even the experts debate endlessly about its merits.

[Arianespace]

arema wrote

I just watched Sam Chui vlog of CX A350-1000. The CX plane has 334 seats = 46 J, 32 Y+, 256 Y. If PAL decides on the same plane, they can configure it to 366 seats = 32 J, 24 Y+, 310 Y without giving up much legroom?

But then it will be bad for long haul which is inconsistent with being a better airline. The 77x has 8% better efficiency than A35k and 14% better efficiency than 77w passenger wise, considering that it is bigger and longer (+/-3 meters more)

[Arianespace]

Some interesting news today. Cathay Pacific opens Manila-Seattle joining Delta, ANA, Eva, Asiana, and Korean Air.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/07/19/cathay-pacific-seattle-hong-kong-non-stops-launch-april/799350002/

We all know that PAL is rearing to fly this route next year taking a cue from the volume of one-stop operators. This is one big market and CX is the latest to join the cue for a slice of the pie.

I don't know what that makes of the airline's plan now. MNL-SEA traffic is well documented as the most sought-after unserved direct route by flightscanner.



Their one stop plan to Israel with A321N was also pre-empted by Air India which started the route from New Delhi in March this year with  B787. So much for planning and late planes. To discourage PAL they are adding new flights.

[Solblanc]

If PAL wants to put its hat in the SEA ring, their advantage for now is that the CX flight won’t be daily, so they have a good chance at getting market share. Also, PAL is unaligned and could try getting feed from DL or AS by negotiating a good codeshare or even JV. Also, the CX flight starts in April, so there’s plenty of time for PAL to announce something.

Wouldn’t PAL still be able to do the 321N flight to TLV via BOM, as it’s a separate market altogether from the DEL-TLV flights? It’s a good way to grow both routes for a year or two.

Anyway, there is still one city in the US that CX wants to serve that PAL could preempt. That’s MIA. CX will serve it eventually, but when the YVR tags are dropped in October, PAL could send the 77W to MIA (MNL-YVR-MIA). CX is already in IAD.