Aircraft
Philippine Airlines Takes its First A350 XWB
Now able to connect New York and Manila non-stop, year 'round, the airline stakes its claim among elite Asian carriers.
With the addition of the Airbus A350 XWB twin-aisle, Philippine Airlines can now connect Manila with New York, non-stop, in both directions year 'round. (Photo: Airbus)
With the addition of the Airbus A350 XWB twin-aisle, Philippine Airlines can now connect Manila with New York, non-stop, in both directions year 'round. (Photo: Airbus)

Airbus delivered the first of six Rolls-Royce-powered A350 XWB widebodies to Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Saturday at Toulouse, France. The aircraft will be operated primarily on nonstop services linking the island nation with North America. The longest route, connecting Manila with New York, becomes a nonstop flight, with the A350-900 able to cover more than 8,000 nautical miles in both directions under year-round wind conditions. The New York-to-Manila segment previously required a fuel stop in Vancouver.