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.

Lessor SMBC Aviation Capital added the A350 XWB to its overall fleet, the first to go to new customer PAL on sale and leaseback and the seventh of the type to be financed by SMBC. Its Airspace by Airbus cabin is configured with 30 seats convertible to fully flat beds in business class, 24 premium economy seats with extra space, and 241 eighteen-inch-wide seats in the main cabin. The cabin is the quietest in the two-aisle class and has the latest air conditioning and mood lighting, according to Airbus. It also features enhanced humidity levels and lower cabin altitudes for passenger comfort. Full connectivity is also built in.

According to Philippine Airlines president and COO Jaime Bautista, “We will benefit from the A350 XWB’s new-generation efficiency, with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs. We believe that the A350 XWB will be a game changer for PAL as we compete with the best in the premium long-haul market.”

“We are confident that the A350 XWB will be a great success with Philippine Airlines,” said Airbus chief commercial officer Eric Schultz, “and will enable the airline to reinforce its position as one of Asia’s leading international carriers.” PAL is the 19^th airline to operate the A350 XWB.