PAL Takes Both Sides: Boeing and Airbus in Philippines' Widebody Order

Philippine Airlines has made a bold move in its aircraft procurement strategy by ordering a mix of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s. The airline, which is based in Manila, is reportedly finalizing an order for around 20 widebody jets, split evenly between the two manufacturers.

This decision marks a significant shift for PAL, which has not placed a fresh Boeing order since roughly 2007. The current fleet consists of ten aging Boeing 777-300ERs, but with this new order, Boeing will be returning to the fold after nearly two decades.

The mixed-fleet approach allows PAL to right-size its aircraft to specific routes, taking advantage of the unique strengths of each model. For example, both the 787 and A350 excel on long thin sectors from Manila to North America and Europe.

A formal announcement is expected at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026. If confirmed, this order will be one of the most strategically interesting airline deals of the year.