People call exceptional products “the Rolls-Royce” of their category—the Rolls-Royce of cameras, coffee machines, etc. Few realize that the British company is powering many of aviation’s flagship aircraft.
Philippine Airlines’ latest investment puts Rolls Royce’s aviation engineering at the heart of its growing long-haul fleet. At the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, PAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rolls-Royce for 18 Trent XWB-97 engines to power nine additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, along with engines for up to five more aircraft covered under PAL’s future purchase rights.
The airline also signed a TotalCare agreement with Rolls-Royce, providing long-term health monitoring and maintenance support for the fleet. Together, the agreements reinforce PAL’s strategy of building a modern, fuel-efficient, and dependable long-haul operation.
While passengers rarely see them beyond a glance through the window, the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines have earned a reputation as one of commercial aviation’s standout performers. Designed exclusively for the Airbus A350-1000, they are prized for their combination of fuel efficiency, reliability, and lower environmental impact—qualities that matter as much to airlines’ bottom lines as they do to increasingly sustainability-conscious travelers.
PAL’s investment represents more than new hardware. “This investment manifests our confidence in the future of Philippine Airlines,” said Lucio C. Tan III, president and chief operating officer of PAL Holdings, Inc. “Together, the Airbus A350-1000 and the Trent XWB-97 engine will continue to define our flagship long-haul operations for many years to come.”
He added that the accompanying TotalCare maintenance program will help maximize aircraft availability while providing greater confidence in long-term maintenance planning and operating costs.
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For passengers, those behind-the-scenes improvements can translate into fewer operational disruptions, greater schedule reliability, and more efficient long-haul travel.
The order also signals PAL’s continued commitment to the Airbus A350-1000, which has become the flagship of its international fleet. Built for ultra-long-range flying, the aircraft allows airlines to operate nonstop routes more efficiently than previous generations of wide-body jets. For a country whose geography depends heavily on air connectivity, that capability is increasingly important as international travel continues to grow.
For Rolls-Royce, the agreement builds on a relationship that has spanned years. “We are proud to continue strengthening our long-standing relationship with Philippine Airlines,” said Rob Watson, president of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce. He described the Trent XWB-97 as the company’s best-selling engine over the past 18 months, citing its proven reliability and efficiency.
Combined with the TotalCare support package, Watson said the agreement will help PAL maximize operational performance as it continues expanding its A350-1000 fleet.
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