THE APEX TIMES
Philippine Airlines weighs a split widebody order of Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s ahead of Farnborough
A Bloomberg-reported plan would mark Philippine Airlines’ first direct Boeing aircraft order in nearly two decades, potentially positioning Boeing more strongly against Airbus in a long-haul market where Airbus has had momentum.
Philippine Airlines is considering a long-haul fleet expansion that could involve a roughly 20-aircraft widebody purchase split between Boeing and Airbus, according to a Bloomberg News report cited by InsiderPH. The carrier is reportedly leaning toward about 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Airbus A350s, with the announcement potentially timed for the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, which opens July 20.
The reported plan, if finalized, would represent Philippine Airlines’ first direct order for Boeing aircraft since 2007, the report says. It also indicates a potential shift in procurement strategy for a carrier that has historically worked with both manufacturers but would be seeking to rebalance future capacity across two competing platforms rather than committing entirely to one supplier.
Bloomberg’s account, again as relayed by InsiderPH, described the deal as still in the process of being finalized, with no guarantee that the exact composition would remain unchanged. The report also said representatives for Philippine Airlines, Boeing, and Airbus declined to comment when approached through Bloomberg.
A Philippine Airlines executive quoted by InsiderPH indicated the airline has not yet locked in the details. Chief Operating Officer Carlu Fernandez said Philippine Airlines has yet to finalize its plans, underscoring that the reported numbers and mix may be subject to change before any formal commitment.
The widebody aircraft at the center of the discussion are both designed for long-haul routes and are typically used for routes that require more capacity and range than a narrowbody can deliver. For Boeing, the 787 Dreamliner is a long-range twin-aisle jet positioned for efficient point-to-point flying, while Airbus’s A350 is the European manufacturer’s comparable long-range twin-aisle offering. For a carrier like Philippine Airlines, the choice affects fleet commonality, maintenance planning, pilot training, and long-term economics across multiple route networks.
The timing matters because air shows such as Farnborough are major deal windows for airlines placing new firm orders and options. Aircraft announcements made at these events can quickly become commercially significant even when aircraft deliveries occur years later, because orders shape production slots and supplier relationships at both Boeing and Airbus.
From Boeing’s perspective, a Philippine Airlines commitment would be more than a symbolic win. The report described it as Boeing’s first direct sale to Philippine Airlines in nearly two decades, a gap that matters for market share and for Boeing’s ability to win future renewals in the Philippines and across regional long-haul routes.
Even so, several key elements remain undisclosed. The reporting does not specify whether the prospective order would include options as opposed to only firm commitments, what the delivery schedule would be, or how the airline plans to route the new aircraft once delivered. It also does not detail why Philippine Airlines is considering a split between the 787 and A350 rather than taking a unified fleet approach. Until Philippine Airlines and either manufacturer confirm the terms, the reported composition should be treated as a work-in-progress rather than a finalized contract.
Why It Matters
- A confirmed split order could influence Boeing and Airbus competitive positioning in long-haul aircraft used for high-capacity international routes.
- The Farnborough timing suggests the airline may seek production leverage and commercial certainty during a peak ordering period.
- If the order is finalized, it would mark a return for Boeing in a specific airline relationship it has not held directly for nearly two decades.
- A mixed manufacturer approach can affect how the airline manages training, spares, and operating costs, making the final configuration important for implementation.
Key Facts
- Philippine Airlines is reportedly considering a widebody order of about 20 aircraft.
- The reported split is roughly 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 10 Airbus A350s.
- The potential announcement is tied to the Farnborough International Airshow opening July 20.
- If completed, the deal would be Philippine Airlines’ first direct Boeing order since 2007, per the report.
- Philippine Airlines Chief Operating Officer Carlu Fernandez said the airline has not finalized its plans.
- Boeing and Airbus reportedly declined to comment via Bloomberg when approached.
Defense Related
Eli Lilly to buy Merida Biosciences for $2.88 billion, setting off investor focus on the deal’s strategic fit
The U.S. drugmaker said it will acquire Merida Biosciences in a transaction valued at $2.88 billion, a move that is drawing attention to how Lilly is expanding its pipeline and capabilities.
Apple says it has evidence a former employee destroyed material after learning of an investigation
The dispute, reported by Yahoo Finance, centers on claims that an ex-employee allegedly took and used company data tied to OpenAI, and Apple says it has proof related to the alleged cover-up.
Telecom comparison turns on profitability pace versus leverage: AT&T’s margin jump, Verizon’s debt load
A recent market comparison highlights how AT&T and Verizon can reach investor appeal through different routes, with AT&T showing a sharp boost in net margin while Verizon carries heavier balance-sheet leverage, even as both distribute dividends.
Anthropic agrees to a $35 billion cloud computing deal tied to Nvidia-backed Lambda, report says
Anthropic PBC is reportedly moving to lock in large-scale compute capacity through a major multi-year arrangement with Lambda, a cloud provider backed by Nvidia. Terms and timelines were not fully disclosed in the report.
AMD has tended to fall in September, but market history is only part of the story
A review of the past decade points to a recurring pattern for AMD in September. The stock has declined in eight of the last 10 Septembers, though broader market seasonality appears to explain only some of the weakness.
Duolingo shares jump after results point to steady user momentum, according to Yahoo Finance
A Yahoo Finance report highlighted that Duolingo’s second-quarter revenue rose 18% year over year, using the framing of a “Netflix-like comeback” after a period of volatility in the online learning category.
Netflix confirms production of Korean series “Materesa (WT),” led by “Queen of Tears” director and writers behind “The East Palace”
The streamer says its next Korean mystery drama, centered on a cold-blooded criminal psychologist who probes unsolved murders, is in production and has set a cast for “Materesa (WT).”
FTC and 22 States Sue Amazon, Alleging It Secretly Marked Up Ads Shown to Marketplace Sellers
The federal competition regulator and a coalition of states claim Amazon undercut third-party sellers on its platform by allegedly embedding surcharges into advertising terms.
Deere shares gained as market focused on a jump in profits
Investors appeared to bid up Deere & Company after a market report pointed to sharply higher profit expectations, underscoring how quickly sentiment can turn in farm equipment when earnings outlooks move.
Baird lifts Deere to Outperform, citing potential agricultural recovery and raises target to $800
The firm upgraded Deere & Company to Outperform from Neutral and increased its price target to $800 from $640, pointing to improving conditions in agriculture as a key catalyst.