Philippine Airlines (PAL)has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)with Rolls-Royce for 18 Trent XWB-97 engines, enough to power nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, along with engines to cover up to five more aircraft under PAL’s existing purchase rights.
The agreement was announced July 21, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Alongside the engine order, PAL also signed on to Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare service program, which will manage the health and maintenance of the airline’s engine fleet.
Backing PAL’s long-haul ambitions
The Trent XWB-97 is the exclusive engine for the A350-1000, built to deliver strong fuel efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance. Lucio C. Tan III, President and Chief Operating Officer of PAL Holdings, said the investment reflects confidence in the airline’s future, adding that the A350-1000 paired with the Trent XWB-97 will continue to define PAL’s flagship long-haul operations for years to come.
Tan also pointed to the value of the TotalCare agreement, saying the maintenance support helps maximize fleet availability while giving the airline more confidence in long-term planning and cost predictability as it grows its widebody operations.
A strong track record for the Trent XWB-97
Rob Watson, President of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, said the company is proud to deepen its long-standing relationship with Philippine Airlines. He described the Trent XWB-97 as an exceptional engine known for its reliability and efficiency, noting it has been Rolls-Royce’s best-selling engine over the past 18 months. Watson added that combined with TotalCare’s operational support, the new order should help PAL maximize performance as it continues expanding its A350-1000 fleet.
The agreement follows PAL’s broader push to modernize its long-haul fleet, building on its recent commitment to nine additional A350-1000 aircraft from Airbus, as the airline works to keep its widebody operations fuel-efficient and reliable for years ahead.