Philippine Airlines reveals new regional business class

Philippine Airlines is upgrading its 18-strong fleet of Airbus A321 jets with new business and economy seats to improve the passenger experience on flights throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

In the process, a handful of economy seats have also been removed in order to dramatically increase legroom up front in the business cabin.

The new seats are supplied by Collins Aerospace and were manufactured in Collins’ plant at Batangas, a fast-growing industrial hub 100km south of Manila.

The 12 business class seats retain a 2-2 layout but with increased pitch from 37” to 45”, with a deep 10” recline (up from the previous 6”).

Philippine Airlines' new A321ceo business class.
Miguel R. Camus

The reconfigured economy cabin sacrifices five seats in the name of business class comfort, from 187 seats down to 182, but still with the same 30” pitch and 5” recline.

Philippine Airlines' new A321ceo economy class.
Miguel R. Camus

For many passengers, the most significant change will be the introduction of seatback video screens (13.3” in business and 10.1” in economy) and USB charging outlets.

Philippine Airlines' new A321ceo business class.
Miguel R. Camus

These are Philippine Airlines older A321ceo ‘classic’ planes, compared to the latest A321neo series which sports lie-flat business class seats – albeit still in a paired 2-2 layout.

Philippine Airlines' A321neo business class.
Collins Aerospace / Philippine Airlines

Three A321ceo jets will be refitted this year, with nine to follow in 2026 and the final six in 2027.

“The reconfigured cabin was designed not only for greater passenger comfort but also for operational efficiency,” says Bud Britanico, Philippine Airlines’ vice-president for corporate affairs.

Also coming towards the end of this year is the first of nine new Airbus A350-1000 jets, sporting 42 business class suites with sliding privacy doors plus 24 premium economy recliners in their own cabin.

Read more: Philippine Airlines’ new A350 business class suites