Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced plans to acquire up to 14 additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft as part of a broader effort to modernize its long-haul fleet. The agreement includes a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for nine firm orders and purchase rights for five more aircraft, although the financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The announcement on Tuesday follows the carrier’s recent move to order up to 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner jets, marking its first purchase from the U.S. manufacturer in nearly two decades. The new A350-1000s are expected to reinforce PAL’s position in long-haul international travel, complementing the existing fleet.

Currently, PAL operates two Airbus A350-1000s on critical long-haul routes such as non-stop flights between Manila and cities including New York and Toronto. An additional seven aircraft from a prior order placed in 2023 are scheduled for delivery by 2028, further expanding the airline’s wide-body capacity.

Lucio Tan, president and chief operating officer of PAL Holdings Inc., emphasized the strategic importance of the A350-1000 to the airline’s international operations, stating that the model “will continue to define the future” of its long-haul services for many years. The latest batch of A350-1000s is projected for delivery between 2034 and 2036.

This fleet expansion aligns with PAL’s ongoing plans to upgrade its aircraft lineup to meet growing passenger demand and enhance operational efficiency on international routes.