New Boeing 777s to boost PAL's long-haul service Options

[Telstar]

By Zinnia B. Dela Peña (The Philippine Star) Updated September 12, 2009 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is acquiring four Boeing 777-300ERs—the most technologically advanced and fuel cost efficient aircraft – for around $1 billion as part of efforts to boost its long-haul service.
In a press briefing yesterday, Cesar Chong, PAL senior assistant vice-president for financing, said PAL will be taking in a total of six Boeing 777 aircraft, four of which will be directly purchased while two would be leased over a 12-year period.
Chong said the airline has received preliminary commitment from the Export-Import Bank for the funding of the four new aircraft which are scheduled to arrive in June 2012, November 2012, April 2013 and November 2013.
Chong said each aircraft would cost around $250 million each. He declined to say how much PAL was leasing the two other aircraft which will arrive starting November. The other one will come on stream in January next year.
He said PAL was originally looking at purchasing just two new aircraft but decided to buy two more to position itself on the anticipated recovery of the aviation market.
“With the 777-300ER, PAL can fly across the Pacific or to Australia with lesser fuel than the four-engine B747-400 or Airbus A340-300 which it currently deploys on these routes,” said Randy J. Tinseth, Boeing vice president for marketing.
Tinseth said the B777-3000ER can carry 365 passengers to a distance of 14,685 kilometers which is equivalent to flying to Los Angeles and back to Manila non-stop without refueling. They also feature the most spacious passenger cabin in its class, offering wider seats and aisles, and more headroom.
The aircraft features a unique overhead crew rest area located above the passenger cabin, freeing up space for four to seven more seats in the cabin.