PAL marks 85 years flight, unveils 1st Airbus A350-1000

PASAY CITY – The Philippine Airlines (PAL) marked its 85 years of flight with the unveiling of its first Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first airline in Southeast Asia to operate the long-range widebody.

“As Philippine Airlines continues its transformation, we remain mindful that our journey is inseparable from that of our country.  Our role as the flag carrier is not simply commercial. It is a responsibility that we take very seriously. We exist to connect people, support livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development, consistent with the ideals of Bagong Pilipinas,” said Lucio Tan, PAL Holdings, Inc. President, in a ceremony, January 18 at Macroasia Economic Zone, Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

Tan reaffirmed the airline’s commitment to supporting the country’s tourism growth and strengthening its competitiveness on the global stage, adding that the A350-1000 aircraft stands as a powerful symbol of PAL’s resurgence, representing its confidence to compete globally while remaining deeply rooted in who we are as Filipinos.

The arrival of the Airbus A350-1000 mirrors the Philippines today: resilient, forward-looking, and prepared to engage the world with confidence.   The new flagship features the airline’s iconic “Sunrise” livery accented with a commemorative “85 Years” decal, reflecting both its legacy and its forward-looking ambitions, Tan said.

Five A350-1000 aircraft are scheduled to join the fleet in 2026, with the remaining three arriving in 2027.

The ceremony held at Lufthansa Technik Philippines, Macroasia Economic Zone, Villamor Airbase, PAL Holdings, Inc. President Lucio C. Tan III welcomed President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, with top government officials and dignitaries, to witness the event.

President Marcos led guests in touring the state-of-the-art aircraft, which is set to elevate PAL’s long-haul transpacific services to the US Mainland and Canada. Configured in a spacious tri-class layout, the A350-1000 accommodates 382 passengers, with 42 seats in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy, and 316 in Economy. 

The cabin experience, developed in partnership with aircraft cabin design studio Lift Aero Design, places a strong emphasis on comfort, privacy, and functionality. The “Mabuhay Studios” Business Class features 42 full-flat suites with sliding doors for enhanced privacy, arranged in a 1-2-1 layout to ensure every passenger has direct aisle access. Each suite is equipped with a 20-inch 4K personal entertainment screen.

Complimentary full flight messaging, browsing, and streaming are available via inflight Wi-Fi. Additional amenities include in-seat power outlets, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and wireless charging docks.

Premium Economy features spacious recliner seats designed for enhanced comfort, each equipped with its own leg rest and footrest. Passengers enjoy the convenience of private mini-cocktail tables, multiple stowage options, in-seat power outlets, as well as both USB-A and USB-C charging ports to keep devices powered.

The 13.3-inch 4K personal entertainment screens offer a superior in-flight viewing experience. Additionally, complimentary full-flight messaging and browsing via inflight Wi-Fi ensure passengers stay connected from takeoff to landing.

Economy Class raises comfort standards with a 32-inch seat pitch, generous recline, adjustable four-way headrests, built-in personal mobile device holders, and both USB-A and USB-C charging ports. These thoughtful ergonomic features help make long-haul travel more restful and enjoyable.

Beyond the cabin, the A350-1000 sets a new benchmark in sustainable aviation, delivering up to a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft and offering compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Enhanced cargo capacity further strengthens PAL’s logistics and freight operations.

Recognized as Asia Pacific’s Most On-Time Airline for 2025, PAL continues to demonstrate operational excellence. The milestone event was also marked by the launch of a new jingle—performed by Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, and Martin Nievera—capturing the spirit of 85 years of shaping Philippine aviation.

With the addition of the A350-1000, PAL’s fleet now stands at 82 aircraft. The acquisition underscores the airline’s ongoing focus on fleet modernization and network expansion, as it positions itself for greater efficiency, connectivity, and competitiveness in the global aviation landscape. (Photos: PAL)

 

 

MCIA welcomes PAL’s new route to Calbayog, and Cebu Pacific’s route to El Nido

LAPULAPU CITY – The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) welcomed new flight routes of Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) direct service connecting Cebu (CEB) and Calbayog (CYP) and Cebu Pacific Air daily direct flight from Cebu to El Nido with both airlines launching their respective maiden flights on October 26, significantly enhancing the connection between the Visayas and the province of Samar and Palawan thus strengthening regional connectivity.

To commemorate both launches, a departure ceremony was also given to passengers departing for Calbayog in the morning and to El Nido in the evening with cake-cutting ceremonies and water cannon salutes to celebrate new flights.

Philippine Airlines will operate the Cebu-Calbayog service four times weekly and is designed for convenient morning travel, allowing passengers to make the most of their day:  PR2668: Cebu (CEB) to Calbayog (CYP) | ETD: 0730H (7:30 am) and PR2669: Calbayog (CYP) to Cebu (CEB) | ETA: 1000H (10:00 am).

"This new link reinforces MCIA's role as the premier regional transfer hub, creating vital bridges between Cebu and other key destinations in the country.  This is a vital route that bridges the Visayas with Samar, opening up significant opportunities for regional economic development, tourism, and trade,” Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) said at the event today.

Cebu Pacfic Air on the other hand launched its first flight on October 26 at 6:50 pm to 8:35 pm, Cebu to El Nido, complementing the existing services by AirSwift and to offer more frequency and options and enhancing connectivity within the Philippines.

Cebu Pacific will now operate the Cebu-El Nido service once daily, with a convenient evening schedule perfect for travelers with DG6254: Cebu (CEB) to El Nido (ENI) | ETD: 1850H (6:50 PM) and DG6081: El Nido (ENI) to Cebu (CEB) | ETA: 1825H (6:25 PM).

“This maiden flight event underscored Cebu Pacific's role in linking key Palawan destinations, including Coron, Puerto Princesa, San Vicente, and now El Nido, from Cebu. The initiative aims to boost tourism in secondary cities, benefit local businesses, and provide affordable travel options, with fares starting as low as PHP3,200,” Michelle Eve de Guzman, marketing director of Cebu Pacific Air said at the launching event.

The expansion was celebrated with partners and stakeholders, highlighting the airline's commitment to regional growth and accessibility, de Guzman said that Cebu Pacific announced its huge expansion of its Cebu hub with 108 additional flights to 16 destinations plus the launching of the Cebu–El Nido route starting October 26, perfect timing for the holidays with more flights coming this December and January.

De Guzman highlighted the importance of the new route in making it easier for passengers to experience the natural wonders of Palawan from a single strategic hub, MCIA.  The new route connects Cebu directly to four key Palawan areas, Coron, Puerto Princesa, San Vicente, and El Nido, enhancing Cebu Pacific's presence in the region.

"We are delighted to support our partners at ACAC and Philippine Airlines in launching this new direct flight to Calbayog and Cebu Pacific Air direct flight to El Nido.  We are thrilled to welcome these new routes,” Julius Neri, Jr., General Manager and CEO of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) said.

Neri added that this expansion is a testament to MCIAA’s shared commitment to enhancing domestic connectivity and solidifying MCIA's role as the primary gateway for the southern and central Philippines.

With the addition of these new routes, MCIA is connected to 28 domestic destinations and 13 international destinations with five Philippine-based and 16 foreign airline partners. The launch of the Cebu-El Nido service underscores MCIA's continuous efforts to expand its network, providing passengers with direct access to key leisure destinations across the country.

 According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) here, these new direct flight routes create positive impact to tourism and local businesses in tourism-dependent communities like Samar and Palawan and the spread of tourism more evenly across regions in the Philippines. (Photos: MBCNewman/MCIA-ACAC)

 

 

 

PAL now flies Cebu-Catarman, more flights to Siargao on March 1

CEBU CITY -- Philippine Airlines (PAL) introduces a new Cebu-Catarman route on March 1, 2025 pioneering a thrice weekly service to link Cebu with Catarman City, the capital of Northern Samar and one of the leading commercial and educational centers in Eastern Visayas, and also mounting more frequent flights between Cebu and Siargao.

To promote the new Cebu-Catarman-Cebu service, PAL offers a special introductory base fare as low as PHP 698 which is available until January 31 and for travel from March 1.

For the Cebu-Siargao services, PAL adds midmorning flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, for a total of 18 weekly flights between Cebu and Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines and home to pristine beaches, white sand islets and hidden lagoons.  

“Philippine Airlines is happy to upgrade services to Catarman through this new link from Cebu. Samar residents and travelers will now have better access to Cebu, and the new route will also give Cebuanos more options to visit Northern Samar,”  PAL Express President  Rabbi Ang said.

 The new Cebu hub services to Catarman and Siargao are part of PAL’s continuing commitment to enhance inter-island connectivity, boosting tourism and stimulating business, Ang added.

PAL is glad to partner with the Northern Samar government authorities and the local community in helping build up air travel to support the success of this new route to Catarman, to operate with the 86-seater De Havilland Dash 8 Series 400 Next Generation aircraft.

Travelers from Catarman City may use PAL’s Cebu hub to connect conveniently to Caticlan (Boracay), Clark, Busuanga (Coron), Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Siargao.   PAL also serves Catarman with four weekly flights to and from Manila.

The flag carrier also serves Siargao with two daily flights to and from Manila, and three weekly flights from Clark.

For flight reservations and other inquiries, travelers may visit the PAL website at www.philippineairlines.com, contact the PAL Hotline at (+632) 8855-8888, visit the PAL mobile app, or reach out to their preferred ticketing offices or travel agents. (PR/Photo: PAL)

 

PAL relaunches Cebu-Osaka comeback flights, December 22

​CEBU CITY—  Philippine Airlines (PAL) relaunches its Cebu-Osaka market with its regular nonstop flights between Mactan-Cebu and Osaka Kansai beginning December 22 to boost tourism growth in both places as well as marking an expansion of the PAL’s network in Japan, the country’s 4th largest source of tourist visitors and home to over 300,000 overseas Filipinos.

“We are delighted to make our comeback in the Cebu-Osaka market, just in time for the Christmas holiday season. Our direct flights from Mactan to Kansai will help us promote the tourism industry and local businesses in Cebu and the Visayas region, and deepen both bilateral relations and cultural ties with our Japanese counterparts,” PAL President & COO Captain Stanley Ng said. 

Ng went on that the Philippine Airlines looks forward to giving travelers from Western Japan the opportunity to experience the outstanding resorts and heritage experiences that Cebu is famous for, or to reunite with loved ones in the Philippines.

Cebu is also a favored choice for both leisure and English as a Second Language (ESL) destination by Japanese travelers.

PAL is deploying a 199-seater Airbus A321 CEO for the Cebu-Osaka service.

The resumption of Cebu-Osaka services complements PAL’s twice daily flights between Manila and Osaka Kansai and daily flights between Cebu and Tokyo Narita. 

Osaka is known for its rich history, culture, food and vibrant shopping districts and is the gateway to the old imperial capital of Kyoto as well as to Nara, Kobe and other popular districts around the Kansai Bay area. Osaka City is also home to the fabled Osaka Castle, the Dotonbori shopping and dining haven, and Universal Studios Japan.

Travelers from Osaka may connect seamlessly in Cebu with PAL’s flights to various domestic points, including Bacolod, Borongan, Busuanga (Coron), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan (Boracay), Clark, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Tacloban and Zamboanga.

Altogether, PAL offers the largest network of flights on multiple routes linking the Philippines and Japan, with nonstop services to Osaka Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita.  PAL also offers other international links from Cebu, with daily flights to Seoul (Incheon) and thrice weekly flights to Bangkok.

The three weekly PAL flights provide direct access to Cebu and the central Philippines for tourists and business travelers from the western regions of Japan.   By February 26, 2025, the airline will add an extra weekly frequency to accommodate the growing number of travelers.

FACTS ON THE NEW CEBU-OSAKA SERVICE

Starting December 22, the Cebu-Osaka (Kansai)-Cebu route will operate three times weekly:

• - PR 410 Cebu-Osaka – every Monday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Mactan-Cebu at 11:45 AM, arriving in Osaka Kansai at 05:00 PM
• - PR 409 Osaka-Cebu – every Monday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Osaka Kansai at 06:00 PM, arriving in Mactan-Cebu at 09:40 PM
• 
  

PAL will offer one additional weekly Cebu-Osaka-Cebu service from February 26th, 2025, increasing frequency to four times weekly. Full schedule below:

• - PR 410 Cebu-Osaka – every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Mactan-Cebu at 11:45 AM, arriving in Osaka Kansai at 05:00 PM
• - PR 409 Osaka-Cebu – every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing Osaka Kansai at 06:00 PM, arriving in Mactan-Cebu at 09:40 PM
• 
  

For flight reservations and other inquiries, travelers may contact the PAL Hotline at (+632) 8855-8888, visit the PAL mobile app, the PAL website atwww.philippineairlines.com, or reach out to their preferred travel agents. (Photos: PAL)