Philippine Airlines Orders Up to 20 Boeing 787s, Ending a 19-Year Drought
Philippine Airlines committed to buying up to 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026 — the carrier's first new Boeing order since 2007 and the largest widebody commitment in its 85-year history. The deal covers 15 firm aircraft plus options for five more, with deliveries running from 2031 through 2034, and it lands amid a broader wave of dealmaking that saw Boeing collect nearly 150 orders on the show's opening day alone.
What Philippine Airlines Actually Signed
Firm order: 15 Boeing 787-10s · Options: 5 more · Deliveries: 2031-2034
The memorandum of understanding was announced jointly by Boeing and PAL Holdings at Farnborough, and covers the 787-10 variant specifically rather than a mix of Dreamliner sizes, according to the official Boeing announcement. Long lead times between order and delivery are now standard across the widebody market, reflecting production backlogs at both Boeing and Airbus.
Why a Single Airline Order Is a Big Deal
Last Boeing order: 2007 · Current PAL widebody fleet: 10 Boeing 777s
PAL had not placed a fresh order with Boeing in nearly two decades, a gap detailed in coverage of the Farnborough deal, so the order signals real confidence in long-haul demand recovery rather than a routine fleet top-up. PAL Holdings president Lucio C. Tan III said the investment “manifests our confidence in the future of Philippine Airlines and the continued growth of air travel,” a quote carried in Forbes' report on the billionaire-controlled carrier.
What the 787-10 Brings to the Network
Fuel savings: ~25% less burn than older widebodies · Range/capacity: up to 7,500 nautical miles, 300-375 passengers
The 787-10's composite airframe and range make it suited to PAL's medium- and long-haul routes across North America, the Middle East, and Australia, complementing rather than replacing the airline's existing 777 fleet, per Simple Flying's breakdown of the order. The aircraft also arrives as PAL pursues accession to the oneworld alliance, a move that will lean heavily on expanded widebody capacity.
Part of a Bigger Farnborough Order Wave
Boeing day-one orders: ~150 · Other major deals: SMBC's 100 737 MAX jets, SMBC's 100 A320neo-family jets, Riyadh Air's 787s and A350s
PAL's commitment landed alongside a flurry of other announcements, with Bloomberg reporting nearly 150 Boeing orders logged on opening day and leasing giant SMBC Aviation Capital splitting a combined 200 narrowbody jets between Boeing and Airbus, as detailed in Simple Flying's coverage of the SMBC deal. Industry analysts still expect the show's total tally to fall short of the roughly 800 aircraft some had forecast, given ongoing supply-chain constraints at both manufacturers.
What It Means for Flyers
oneworld accession: pending · North America expansion: underway
For travelers, the order points toward more nonstop long-haul options out of Manila in the early 2030s and a modernized cabin experience once deliveries begin, a trajectory One Mile at a Time frames as part of PAL's broader fleet renewal push. It also cements Boeing's continued relationship with the carrier, which Airways Magazine notes is celebrating 80 years of partnership with the manufacturer this year, alongside PAL's own 85th anniversary as Asia's oldest airline still operating under its original name.
People Also Ask
How many Boeing 787s did Philippine Airlines order?
Philippine Airlines committed to 15 firm Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners with options for five more, for a total of up to 20 aircraft. The deal was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026.
When will Philippine Airlines receive its new Boeing 787s?
Deliveries are scheduled to run from 2031 through 2034. That multi-year window reflects current production backlogs affecting most widebody orders across the industry, not anything specific to PAL's contract.
Why is this order significant for Philippine Airlines?
It's PAL's first new Boeing order since 2007 and the largest widebody commitment in the airline's 85-year history. It signals confidence in long-haul travel demand and supports the carrier's push to join the oneworld alliance.
What routes will the Boeing 787-10 fly for Philippine Airlines?
The 787-10 is expected to serve PAL's medium- and long-haul network, complementing its existing Boeing 777 fleet on routes to North America, the Middle East, and Australia. Specific route assignments have not yet been announced.
How does this fit into the wider 2026 Farnborough Airshow orders?
Boeing logged close to 150 orders on the show's opening day, including major narrowbody deals with lessor SMBC Aviation Capital and widebody orders from Riyadh Air. PAL's Dreamliner commitment was one of the show's headline widebody announcements.
Facts checked against airline, manufacturer, and industry news sources as of July 21, 2026. Order terms, delivery schedules, and route plans can change; confirm current details with Philippine Airlines or Boeing before relying on them.
