Philippine Airlines has relaunched its inflight publication, Mabuhay Magazine, following a five-year hiatus as the national carrier prepares to mark its 85th anniversary.
The magazine’s final edition appeared in March 2020 before publication stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the October-December 2025 issue, dubbed the ‘Homecoming Issue’, will focus on stories centered on the theme of returning to the Philippines.
“Instead of the newest, hottest places to visit, we’ve put together a thematic collection of stories to keep you company on your journey. To celebrate Mabuhay’s return, our stories are about homecoming—all the different ways we come back to the Philippines,” the inflight magazine’s editors noted.
A historic venue for the relaunch
The magazine’s comeback was celebrated at a symbolic location: the Nielsen Tower, Manila’s original airport terminal.
This is where Philippine Airlines operated its inaugural flight in 1941, a Manila to Baguio route aboard a Beechcraft Model 18 NPC-54 aircraft.
PAL President Richard Nuttall used his message in the publication to highlight the carrier’s growth.
“Our expanding international network now serves over 38 destinations across Asia, North America, Australia and the Middle East—supported by long-term investments in fleet modernization, digital innovation, and customer experience.”
A transformative era
The relaunch caps off a significant period of modernization for the airline. PAL initiated a retrofit program for its 18-strong Airbus A321ceo fleet, standardizing cabins and upgrading the passenger experience across the narrowbody operation.
The first updated aircraft entered service in September 2025, featuring a new dual-class layout with 12 business class seats and 182 economy seats. All seats include personal entertainment screens and USB charging capabilities. Notably, the economy seats are Collins Pinnacle models manufactured in the Philippines, making PAL the first domestic carrier to install locally-produced seats in a major cabin upgrade.
Looking ahead, the flag carrier expects delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 in late 2025 or early 2026. The widebody jet will make Philippine Airlines the first airline in Southeast Asia to operate this aircraft variant.
