278t/300pax variant A350-900 for Philippine Airlines for non-stop Manila-New York route.

Philippine Airlines –which has ordered up to 12 A350-900s- is set to receive a higher-weight version of the A350-900 designed to provide enhanced capability on particular long routes.

The aircraft will have a “slightly increased” maximum take-off weight of 278t.

Airbus´s formal specifications for the A350-900 identify 3 current weight variants for the twinjet type; 268t, 272t and 275t maximum take-off weights.

Source: A380_TLS_A350

The type´s fuel capacity is listed by Airbus as 138.000 litres, common to each weight variant.

Airbus said that the enhancement to 278t for Philippine Airlines will allow it to operate non-stop year-round on the Manila.New York route, with a full passenger load.

Manila, with high average daytime temperatures although its coastal location means it is situated at relatively low altitude, is 13.700km (7.400nm) far from New York (great-circle distance).

Philippine Airlines has stated that the A350-900 will be fitted with 300 seats but has to disclose full details of the passenger cabin configuration.

Source: Airbus

Phillipine Airlines is set to take delivery of its first A350 by the end of 2018.

The weight change is the only amendment to the A350 specification for the carrier. It has not indicated whether any other airlines hve requested the same enhancement.

Based on the article “Higher-weight A350-900 to go the distance for PAL” published in FlightGlobal.