Philippine Airlines (PAL) will begin updating its A321ceo aircraft in May 2025, as mentioned in its 2024 annual report filed with the Philippines Stock Exchange. The airline continues to face increasing passenger demand, and its current aircraft capacity has been stretched to match growing travel needs. The planned refurbishments will bring improved onboard services across short-haul international routes.
The fleet renewal will focus on enhancing the cabin experience, as reported by Ch-Aviation. The changes will include new seating and upgraded inflight entertainment, as well as improvements to WiFi. The goal is to better serve passengers on international routes served by the A321ceo, especially in Eastern and Northern Asia.
PAL currently has eighteen A321ceos in operation. PAL Express, its subsidiary, uses four more of the same model. Only the aircraft under the mainline PAL fleet will undergo upgrades, while those flown by PAL Express will remain unchanged.
These narrowbody aircraft handle various short-haul international flights. As of now, the airline uses the A321ceos to fly to 24 airports across Asia. The updated planes will continue to support these routes, helping meet rising demand and offering better passenger comfort. PAL did not issue an official statement when asked about the details of the refurbishment plan.
The airline is also pushing ahead with its expansion strategy. According to PAL President and COO Stanley Ng, passenger traffic could grow by as much as 20 percent within the next year. Speaking during a media briefing held in Manila, he shared, “We’ve recovered some of our grounded aircraft. That will really help grow the passenger volume.”
Fleet Growth and International Expansion
PAL has 79 aircraft in use and plans to add two more by the end of 2025. Based on data from ch-aviation, the airline has placed orders for thirteen A321neos and nine A350-1000s. PAL expects to receive its first A350-1000s later this year, after a slight delay from its earlier mid-2025 schedule. These long-range planes will be used on North American routes. The airline is also planning to expand into Europe.
The A321neo aircraft on order are expected to arrive starting in 2026. Aside from the A321ceo, PAL’s current fleet includes eight A321neo, eleven A330-300s, two A350-900s, and ten Boeing 777-300ERs.
Along with aircraft improvements, PAL is also expanding both local and international operations. The airline recently launched new international flights, including a Cebu to Ho Chi Minh City route that started on May 2, and a new Manila to Da Nang service that begins on July 1. It is also adding more flights within the country, especially from its Cebu hub.
Passenger Growth Drives Fleet Improvements
Philippine Airlines reported a net income of PHP10.22 billion or USD180.4 million in 2024, marking its fourth straight profitable year. The airline flew 15.6 million passengers during that period. PAL expects to carry around 18 million passengers in 2025.
Ng attributed this performance to better efficiency, improved flight schedules, and consistent service across routes.
As PAL looks ahead, it plans to continue expanding capacity and improving the passenger experience through both fleet investments and new destinations. The upgrades to the A321ceo aircraft will support the airline’s growth while addressing the steady increase in travel demand.
