What makes a philharmonic orchestra different from a regular orchestra?

The difference arises only in the name: symphony orchestras and philharmonic orchestras are both orchestras whose repetoires encompass large-scale symphonic works.

'Philharmonia' just means 'loving music', and many of the early symphony orchestras were part and parcel of 'Philharmonic Societies'. Most of the "Philharmonias" and "Philharmonics",many of which date back to the 19thC at least, owe their existence to some founding body - often a Music Society or some other group of music-lovers.

E.g. in Moscow there is the "Moscow Philharmonia" - which isn't an orchestra (and doesn't have one), but a concert-giving organisation which - to this day - is primarily a "Subscription Concerts" outfit. They run the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, for example, but also promote concerts in a wide range of other venues too. The model is quite a useful one - the subscriptions give them a pool of cash to set up the concerts and cross-subsidise the popular with the eclectic.

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RE:

What makes a philharmonic orchestra different from a regular orchestra?

There is no difference in the instrumentation or the music played by the symphony orchestra or the philharmonic orchestra. The two names originated as a way to differentiate between and gather patronage for the London Symphony Orchestra (founded 1904) or the London Philharmonic Orchestra (founded 1932). A way to pick sides and choose your favorite! Musician, composer, teacher.

Nothing. "Philharmonic" is just a name. It means 'loving harmony' or 'loving music'. Usually a 'philharmonic' orchestra is a symphony orchestra, meaning it's very big, maybe 70-100 pieces, and has all the instruments you expect in such an orchestra.

What Is A Philharmonic

Refer to the following

link:http://www.reference.com/search?q=philharmonic

It defines, describes and explains all of the different types of orchestras.

Alberich