Airline Identity
History
Philippine Airlines (PAL) was founded on 26 February 1941, making it Asia's oldest airline still operating under its original name. It launched its first flight in March 1941 between Manila and Baguio, suspended service during World War II, then resumed domestic and international routes in 1946, becoming the first Asian carrier to cross the Pacific with a Manila–Oakland service. Financial turmoil during the Asian financial crisis pushed PAL into receivership in 1998, from which it emerged in 2007 under a rehabilitation plan backed by majority owner Lucio Tan. The carrier steadily rebuilt its international network through the 2000s and 2010s, regaining EU market access in 2013 after a long-standing safety ban was lifted. Today PAL is the flagship subsidiary of PAL Holdings, Inc., controlled by the Lucio Tan Group with Japan's ANA Holdings holding a small minority stake, and in 2025 the airline accepted an invitation to join the oneworld alliance, with membership targeted for 2027.
Current Operations
Philippine Airlines operates a mixed Airbus and Boeing mainline fleet of roughly 50 aircraft, spanning narrow-body A320/A321 and wide-body A330/A350 and Boeing 777 types, complemented by regional subsidiary PAL Express. The carrier's network centers on its hub at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila, from which it serves around 40 international and more than 30 domestic destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and long-haul routes to North America. Recent fleet renewal has focused on incoming Airbus A350-1000s, one of which received a special 85th-anniversary livery in 2026 marking the airline's founding. PAL's acceptance of a oneworld invitation in 2025 signals a strategic pivot toward deeper global alliance integration expected around 2027. The airline remains the Philippines' flag carrier and one of the country's largest aviation employers, headquartered at the Lucio K. Tan Jr. Center in Pasay since early 2024.
Last verified 2026-08-22· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.