Philippine Airlines has signed a purchase agreement with the Boeing Company that signals the much-awaited expansion of the flag carrier's widebody fleet, with PAL set to acquire up to six Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft over the next six years.

The agreement, which was signed by PAL president Jaime J. Bautista and Boeing vice president for sales Rob Laird in Honolulu recently, covers a firm order for two B777-300ER jets and purchase rights for two additional units.

Separately, PAL has also signed a letter of intent with GE Commercial Aviation Services for the lease of two B777-300ER aircraft.

Deliveries of the firm orders as well as leased aircraft will commence in the third quarter of 2009 and continue until 2010. Deliveries of the aircraft covered by purchase rights will be in 2011 and 2012.

PAL has specified a bi-class configuration for its B777-300ERs, with state-of-the-art seats and in-flight entertainment system capable of providing audio/video on-demand in both Mabuhay (business) and Fiesta (economy) classes.

"The acquisition of the B777-300ER allows PAL to expand direct services between the Philippines and the United States," said Bautista. "Our passengers will also benefit from the higher level of comfort and amenities that this high-technology aircraft brings."

"We are especially pleased that Philippine Airlines, the first commercial airline in Asia, is selecting the Boeing 777-300ER, which will increase fleet efficiency and profitability for the airline," said Laird. "The 777 is the market leader in the 300-to-400-seat segment, offering unsurpassed twin-engine efficiency, range and comfort."

The decision to move forward on the upgrading of PAL's widebody fleet comes on the heels of a similar modernization of its single-aisle fleet. Last October 20, PAL unveiled the first of up to 20 brand-new Airbus A320-family jets that the airline is acquiring, also over the next six years. Three of those aircraft, all A319s, have already been delivered and are in service.

The fuel-efficient B777-300ER is the world's largest long-range twin-engine jetliner and is capable of carrying up to 368 passengers in PAL's two-class configuration, at a range of up to 7,880 nautical miles (14,594 kilometers).

It will complement the Boeing 747-400, PAL's venerable flagship, on the trans-Pacific routes. PAL's widebody fleet currently comprises 17 aircraft: five B747-400s, four Airbus A340-300s and eight Airbus A330-300s.

The flag carrier flies to 24 destinations in 13 countries and territories, including three points on the U.S. mainland - Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas - plus Honolulu and Guam in the Pacific.