Philippine Airlines reveals new Airbus A350-1000 cabins with private business class suites
February 3, 2026
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has unveiled the cabin interiors of its first Airbus A350-1000, introducing a refreshed premium passenger experience designed for long-haul routes—including upgraded business class suites, premium economy recliners and enhanced economy seating.
The aircraft is the first of eight A350-1000s joining the carrier’s fleet, and PAL says the new flagship will play a key role in its long-range network plans as it marks its 85th year.
PAL’s first A350-1000: A milestone moment tied to the airline’s identity
The airline’s first A350-1000 was unveiled at a ceremony at Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ facility in Pasay City. Philippine Airlines has positioned the aircraft as its flagship for long-range travel.
In its statement on the A350-1000 introduction, PAL framed the aircraft as a turning point for its global ambitions in its milestone year, pairing passenger-facing upgrades with efficiency gains typical of the A350 family.
“The A350-1000 aircraft stands as a powerful symbol of our resurgence. It represents our confidence to compete globally, while remaining deeply rooted in who we are as Filipinos. In many ways, the arrival of the Airbus A350-1000 mirrors the Philippines today: resilient, forward-looking, and prepared to engage the world with confidence.” PAL Holdings President Lucio C. Tan III said during the unveiling ceremony.
“As Philippine Airlines continues its transformation, we remain mindful that our journey is inseparable from that of our country,” Tan added. “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.”
PAL’s A350-1000 will “Fly with Heart”
Separately, PAL marked the A350-1000 milestone with a brand-led LinkedIn post built around its “Fly With Heart” identity—with the aircraft’s arrival part of a broader emotional brand narrative about the airline connecting Filipinos at home and abroad.
The airline has embraced the theme, extending to its in-flight safety videos, with the most recent video presented in the popular narrative style of a romantic novela.
A cabin design evoking Filipino “warmth and understated elegance”
The Airbus A350-1000 cabin design was created in partnership with Tokyo-based design firm LIFT Aero Design. Daniel Baron, LIFT’s Managing Director, described the cabin design as “smart evolution meets tomorrow, underlining PAL’s dedication to raising the bar even further.”
LIFT has designed Philippine Airlines’ new cabins over the past two decades.
“Not many design studios have the honour of designing three generations of cabins over nearly twenty years, including two batches of 777s, A330, A321 and A350-900,” said Baron, crediting both the PAL team who oversaw the design and its completion, as well as the suppliers who provided the textiles, hardware and finishes which deliver on the design’s promise.
The firm describes the new “PAL Sunrise” design as on cabin partitions as framing “each seating area with the warmth and understated elegance that Filipinos are famous for.”
The aircraft’s new carpet features a “colours-of-a-tropical-sea” design and “seat styling draws on the carrier’s A350-900 and A321neo to maintain cross-fleet visual harmony.”
As with the airline’s Airbus A350-900, the business class seat trim and finish blend slate blue with champagne gold, with light wood-look inlays on the meal tables, creating a distinctive premium ambience.
The A350-1000 also features an emblem of pride in every cabin with the airline’s logo in brushed silver.
“Branding in the cabin is a powerful visual cue to aid differentiation and help airlines stand out in photos on social media,” Baron said.
22 mood lighting “scenes” bring a more immersive long-haul atmosphere
One of the most distinctive elements of the new interior is the aircraft’s programmed lighting suite, with PAL offering 22 cabin lighting “scenes” designed around specific onboard moments and themes.
Baron says these include, “Two ‘candlelight dining’ scenes for long-haul and regional flights, ‘ocean’ and ‘spa’ for zen-in-the-sky relaxation, ‘Valentine’s day,’ ‘head of state,’ ‘national flag’ for arrivals in Manila and ‘sustainability’ to build awareness of PAL’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.”
The ocean-inspired lighting scheme complements the aircraft’s new “colours of a tropical sea” carpet design.
A350-1000 new “Mabuhay Studios” business class suites
At the front of the aircraft, PAL’s new “Mabuhay Studios” business class introduces 42 full-flat suites arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, ensuring direct aisle access for every passenger. A key upgrade is the inclusion of suite walls designed to improve privacy from the aisle—an increasingly expected feature as airlines compete for premium long-haul travellers.
The visual design in business class blends deep tones with warm metallic accents, including slate blue and champagne gold, with pale wood-look detailing intended to keep the cabin feeling calm and modern on ultra-long sectors.
The “Mabuhay Studios” business class suite features:
- sliding doors for enhanced privacy
- 20-inch 4K personal entertainment screen
- in-seat power outlets, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and wireless charging docks
Complimentary full-flight messaging, browsing, and streaming are available with in-flight WiFi. For its incoming Airbus A350-1000 fleet, PAL offers connections via Airbus’ HBCplus connectivity package, linked to the Viasat satellite network.
Premium economy: 24 seats with legrests, footrests and “mini cocktail tables”
Behind business class, the A350-1000 features a dedicated 24-seat premium economy cabin, incorporating features that have quickly become baseline expectations for premium economy passengers across the market.
PAL’s premium economy seats add practical comfort touches for longer flights, including:
- legrest and footrest
- private mini-cocktail tables
- multiple stowage options
- in-seat power outlets, as well as both USB-A and USB-C charging ports
- 13.3-inch 4K in-flight entertainment screens
Passengers in premium economy also get complimentary full-flight messaging and browsing via in-flight WiFi.
Economy cabin: 316 seats optimised for long-haul flights
PAL’s A350-1000 is completed by a 316-seat economy cabin, designed for long-haul comfort.
The economy cabin features:
- 32-inch seat pitch
- generous recline
- adjustable four-way headrests
- in-flight entertainment screens
- built-in personal mobile device holders
- both USB-A and USB-C charging ports
PAL’s new Airbus A350-1000 interiors match premium passenger needs with a distinct Filipino identity
With its new A350-1000 interiors, Philippine Airlines is signalling a more confident long-haul strategy built around privacy, comfort and a distinctly Filipino design identity.
The airline’s move toward suite-style business class, a modern premium economy proposition and an increasingly connected onboard experience positions the A350-1000 as a true flagship for PAL’s next chapter.
This new cabin design suits the intensifying competition across Asia-Pacific and meets the expectations of premium travellers, who now want more than “just” a lie-flat bed.
