PAL soars with its new intelligent, eco-efficient, powerful, comfortable, jet lag-fighting A350 900 XWB

What does it mean to experience the future of air travel?

Philippine Airlines just defined it for us: it’s traveling on an aircraft that is intelligent, eco-efficient, quiet and comfortable, robust and powerful but romantic, wide-bodied but beautiful. And for those of us who cross time zones to reach those places in our hearts, it is a jet lag fighter.

The high-ceilinged Business Class is extra spacious and comfortable. A full LED ambient lighting with 16.7 colors fosters wellbeing for passengers, creating natural sunrise and sunset hues to help passengers reduce the effects of jet lag. The seats are wide and made more comfy with lumbar massage.

We’re talking about the A350 900 XWB aircraft by Airbus, which PAL recently fetched from Toulouse, France, which is the hub of the aviation industry, supplying half of the world’s aircraft needs. XWB means extra-wide body, and it also means extra-wide advantages. Meaning also, huge high-tech features.

“This Airbus will become the new flagship of the young and trendsetting Philippine Airlines fleet — raising the standards for cabin comfort for our beloved passengers especially for long flights,” says PAL president and COO Jaime J. Bautista.

With its new A350 900 XWB, PAL can now claim to have among the best, if not the best, seats in the airline industry for Business, Premium Economy and Economy classes.. The triclass aircraft features wider screens (left) designed with 4th-generation systems.

The launch of this Airbus, was held last July 17 in Manila to coincide with the birthday celebration of Dr. Lucio C. Tan, who has been PAL CEO and chairman since 1995. “As the PAL family works harder to achieve our dream of becoming a five-star carrier, we are in the midst of a fleet modernization program. We are also focused on expanding our route network,” explains Tan.

PAL was recently elevated to 4-Star level by Skytrax, the international rating organization. And on the day of the A350 launch in Manila, PAL was declared part of the honor roll as 49th of the Top 50 World’s Best Airlines.

Stowage bins are designed to efficiently hold handcarry luggage . Passengers enjoy panoramic windows. Top air quality ensures their well-being.

This is the first of six A350 900 XWB aircraft that PAL has purchased for use in its Manila-New York JFK direct flights starting late October 2018, as well as its existing Manila-London Heathrow route.

What qualities make this Airbus the best in comfort, wellbeing and technology?

Toulouse is the center of the European aerospace industry, providing 120,000 jobs in its aeronatutics, space, electronics, information technology and biotechnology. At thesame time, it is rich in history. The Place de Capitole (above) showcases the classic architecture of Toulouse. The Pont Neuf (below) was constructed in the XVIth century.

INTELLIGENT with an airframe using advanced materials combining composites, titanium and modern aluminum alloys that are fatigue-free, lightweight and corrosion-resistant.

ECO-EFFICIENT with its state-of-the-art aerodynamics including a morphing wing that optimizes wing loading, reduces drag and lowers the fuel burn as well as the operating costs.

President Rodrigo Duterte receives a replica of the A350 from Dr. Lucio Tan, Jaime Bautista and Airbus general manager for Asia Fabrice Espinosa during the launch . “I wish you more success and a thousand more years,” the President told Tan whose birthday was also celebrated that day.

QUIETER cabin with four times less noise, making it the quietest of all twin-aisle airplanes.

JET LAG FIGHTER because it is quiet (yes, noise does contribute to jet lag). Its LED lighting with a choice from among 16.7 million colors can create romantic natural sunrise and sunset scenarios to reduce the effects of jet lag.

Sharon Tan and Timmy Tan and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

COMFORTABLE because cabin air is renewed every two to three minutes in a draft-free environment, with 20 percent more fresh air. And let's not forget that PAL now has soft, snuggly duvets.

POWERFUL with the new Rolls-Royce Trend XWB engines, the world’s most efficient large aero engine flying today.

PAL chairman and CEO Dr. Lucio Tan and wife Carmen Tan

BEAUTIFUL with its interiors by aero expert Daniel Baron who put the soul of the Filipino in our flag carrier’s design by taking details from our barong, as well as our textile weaves. “The turquoise and orange hues reflect our seas and sunsets, while the blues give a calming atmosphere,” says Baron who has been traveling around the Philippines since 2007.

XNext in command: Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr., Philippine Airlines vice chairman, stands with his father, PAL chairman and CEO Dr.Lucio Tan , and his sister Irene Tan-Luy. Hardworking dynamo Bong says: “My father taught us to be humble always. And to never leave anything unfinished for tomorrow. Do what you can today.”

The aircraft’s tri-class features are wonderful.

The Business Class has 30 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, so that every passenger has direct access to the aisle. Seat pitch is at 44 inches, and can recline to a full-flat bed 78 inches long, with lumbar massage features, adjustable air cushion, and additional storage.

Premium Economy’s 24 seats on a 2-4-2 configuration with pitch at 38 inches with a recline of up to eight inches provides ample leg- and footrest area.

PAL and Airbus officials at the mock-up center of the A350. From left (back): VP-corporate communications Josen Perez de Tagle, AVP-product research and development Debbie Cuyegkeng, former DOTr Undersecretary Bobby Lim, LTG guest Bernard Go, SVPairline operations Nicky Gozon, VP-corporate finance JB Tan, Airbus general manager for Asia Fabrice Espinosa, SVP-corporate planning Lito Alvarez; (front): VP-marketing Ria Domingo, LTG guest Winston Damarillo, president and COO Jaime Bautista, LTG president Michael Tan, chief financial adviser Ian Reid, and Airbus airline marketing manager Carles Raventos.

Economy’s 241 seats on a roomy 3-3-3 configuration have a seat pitch at 33 inches and a recline of up to six inches, and a four-way headrest.

On all three classes, there are power ports, reading lights, bigger personal TV screens where passengers can also pair their screens with their mobile devices via myPAL Player app to view content. Wi-Fi service is offered free for all passengers with affordable renewal plans.

PAL spokesperson and external corporate communications head Cielo Villaluna (right) with corporate communications specialist Paeng Evangelista.

The cost of the A350 900? The average list price is US$317.4 million. Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital which financed PAL’s A350-900 XWB, notes: “The Asia Pacific region is one of the fastest growing markets in air travel, and we are delighted to expand our footprint here with the delivery of the first two A350s to PAL.”

Buong Pusong Alaga from the Philippine Airlines crew: Purser Rex Abelo( center) with flight attendants Joseph Que, Marj Aquino, Jill Odulio, Bamba Lozada, Ellaine Lazaro and Rachelle Baliao.

PAL has ordered six of this aircraft with options for an additional six A350s. Possible routes to Seattle, Chicago and a point in Western Europe are also in the plans.

PAL is also proud of its new A321neos, which are now flying nonstop to Brisbane, and will pioneer PAL’s new Sapporo route in September, with Sydney and other destinations to follow.

“We are confident that the new A350 will enable PAL to reinforce its position as one of Asia’s leading international air carriers,” says Eric Schulz, Airbus chief commercial officer.  Airbus, by the way, has a presence in the Philippine industrial sector, with local suppliers manufacturing equipment for the aircraft, providing employment for about 1,700 skilled Filipinos. This business is valued at $300M per year.

Jaime Bautista with wife Joji (right), their daughter Jaime B. Garcia and grandchildren Elle and Sef.

“Through these new airplanes, we hope to reclaim our stature as one of the world’s best airlines — to be a beacon of hope that Filipinos can set the standard of excellence. This is the legacy of PAL to our country,” emphasizes Bautista.

Lofty words. But matched with action as Philippine Airlines aims for the stars — rather its fifth star.