Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing Co. to acquire up to 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, signaling its biggest direct widebody deal with the manufacturer in decades as the flag carrier upgrades its long-haul fleet.
Announced on Monday, July 20, at the Farnborough International Airshow in London, the memorandum of understanding includes 15 firm orders for the Boeing 787-10—the largest variant in the Dreamliner family—alongside options to purchase five additional units.
If all options are exercised, the multibillion-peso investment by PAL Holdings Inc. will bolster the airline’s capabilities to capture rising international travel demand throughout Asia and transpacific routes.
The twin-engine 787-10, designed to seat 300 to 375 passengers with a operational range of up to 7,500 nautical miles, is slated to complement PAL’s current fleet of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs. The newer models are projected to deliver a 25 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to aging aircraft.
This fleet modernization aligns with PAL’s long-term growth strategy, coinciding with ongoing airport infrastructure developments around Metro Manila aimed at expanding passenger capacity. The carrier was also recently invited to join the global oneworld airline alliance.
Upon delivery, the Dreamliners will serve medium- and long-haul routes linking the Philippines to North America, Australia, and major Asian hubs, effectively boosting seat capacity while trimming operating costs per passenger.