Pakistan International Airlines is the national flag carrier of Pakistan. It was founded in 1946 as Orient Airways and it moved its operations to it current headquarters in Karachi in Pakistan. The main operational airport is Jinnah International Airport (KHI), and it has secondary operational hubs in Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE)in Lahore and Benazir Bhutto International Airport (RWP) in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. Pakistan International Airlines operates an average of about 100 flights daily and it flies to 25 domestic and 28 international destinations across Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America through its fleet of 33 modern aircraft. It is Pakistan’s largest airlines and was the second airline in Asia to acquire A jet aircraft.
Privileges When Booking with PIA :
Safe and comfortable flight experience and hassle-free transit flights due to PIA codeshare agreement with high-profile airlines.
PIA offers flights to diverse destinations across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
PIA provides easy and secure online booking and a dedicated customer care center to address clients’ inquiries
PIA gives access to in-flight entertainment to all the passengers onboard.
PIA offers complimentary meals and beverages for all classes.
PIA allows excess baggage in return for a nominal fee.
PIA frequent flyer program, Awards+, entitles subscribed passengers for free tickets, excess baggage, seat upgrade, wonderful deals and discounts.
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Codeshare Partners Agreements:
PIA has signed codeshare agreements with several renowned airlines to increase its access to diverse destinations across the world and to ensure a seamless transition of passengers traveling with IPA or a partner airline. The following are the main codeshare airlines with PIA.
The passengers onboard Business Class get a lie-flat seat with ample leg room to stretch legs and relax with comfortable seat configuration. In addition, Business Class cabin is equipped with additional reading light and a universal power outlet for charging devices. The seats are equipped with personal TV screens supported with AVOD to spend a pleasant time during flights. The passengers are offered complimentary meals and beverages.
Executive Economy:
The passengers on board Economy Plus enjoy the comfortable seat and ample legroom depending on the aircraft body. They are offered complimentary meals and beverage. PIA provide the passengers on Economy Plus with access to in-flight entertainment
Economy:
The services offered on Economy Class and Economy Plus are almost t the same, except that Economy Plus get more features in terms of check-in procedures, seat upgrade, and membership in PIA frequent flyer program
PIA Fleet Size and Models:
PIA Fleet Size and Models:
Aircraft Model
Number in Service
Airbus A320-200
11 Aircraft
ATR 42-500
5 Aircraft
ATR 72-500
5 Aircraft
Boeing 777-200ER
6 Aircraft
Boeing 777-200LR
2 Aircraft
Boeing 777-300ER
4 Aircraft
Total
33 Aircraft
Baggage Allowance Onboard PIA:
Baggage Allowance Onboard PIA :
The free baggage allowance onboard PIA varies depending on the origins of flights, final destinations, and the ticket class.
Business Class:
Generally, Business Class passengers traveling from regional airports to the Arabian Gulf countries are allowed to check-in 50 kgs. Please bear in mind that the maximum allowed weight per a suitcase is 30 kgs. The allowed carry-on luggage is 12 kgs and one small briefcase. The Business Class passengers traveling to North America are allowed two pieces of checked baggage each of which weighs 28kgs.
Executive Economy & Economy Class:
The passengers traveling from regional airports to the Arabian Gulf countries are allowed 40 kgs of checked baggage. In addition, they are allowed to carry 7kgs of hand luggage and one small briefcase.
For passengers traveling to North America, they are allowed two pieces of checked baggage each weighs 23kgs
Infants:
Business and Economy class passengers traveling with infants are allowed 10 kgs of extra luggage for their babies.
Note that baggage allowance rules are subject to final destinations and are subject to change at any given time, so the passengers are advised to verify their baggage allowance during the booking process. For further details about baggage allowance for flights originating from the Arabian Gulf, interested clients may review PIA baggage policy on the airline’s website.
In-flight Entertainment:
PIA provide all the passengers onboard the three different cabins complimentary access to a selection of in-flight entertainment of several genres such as world movies, TV shows, music, and audios. Besides, PIA provides travelers with HUMSAFAR inflight magazine written in English and Urdu.
Meals and Beverages:
As a full service airline, PIA offers all the passengers onboard a selection of delectable meals and beverages to select from regardless of their seat class.
Airport Lounge:
PIA runs Business Plus Lounges at Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad airports. The lounges are equipped with magazines, newspapers, Internet access, cable television, and snacks. In addition owing to PIA partnership agreement with many renowned airlines, travelers with PIA can get access to luxurious airport-lounges in international airports around the world.
Miscellaneous Serves:
Meet & Greet Services:
PIA offers a number of luxurious services in its operational hubs and some international airports around the world. For instance, Business class passengers are privileged with efficient porter, meet and greet services at Karachi airport, Islamabad, Lahore, London’s Heathrow, and Dubai International Airport. The passengers are ushered to the designated fast-track check-in counter and provided assistance at check-in and clearance procedures. The passengers are given priority baggage tags and priority boarding facilities.
Special Care Services:
PIA offers a wide variety of special-care services to physically challenged passengers. Interested travelers may review the terms and conditions of PIA special-care services on the airlines’ website.
Booking Procedures and Issuance of Boarding Pass:
Booking Procedures and Issuance of Boarding Pass:
PIA offers easy and secure online booking. Through any PC or a mobile device with an Internet connection, travelers can book their tickets with ease. Interestingly, sometimes PIA offers online discounts. The passengers have to check in by approaching PIA counters at the airport and collecting their boarding passes. Also, PIA offers return check-in facility for traveling and returning within 12 hour time.
Information about Pakistan International Airlines:
Pakistan International Airlines Historical Milestones:
1946
1946
PIA was originally founded as Orient Airways.
1947
1947
Orient Airways commenced operations between Calcutta to Sittwe. In August the same year, the airline moved its headquarters to Karachi after Pakistan gained independence.
1955
1955
Orient Airways was merged with other airlines composing Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
1960
1960
PIA introduced a jet aircraft to join its fleet becoming the second Asian airline to operate jet aircraft.
1961
1961
PIA opened a new route from Karachi to New York via London.
1964
1964
PIA launched operations to Beijing, becoming the first non-communist airline to fly to China.
1972
1972
PIA launched operations to Tripoli in Libya.
1947
1947
With the rapid growth of the fleet, PIA launched international cargo flights.
1975-1979
1975-1979
PIA introduced Boeing 747 models to its fleet. Also, PIA started providing technical and administrative assistance to foreign airlines.
1980
1980
PIA opened a cargo handling center and Airbus A300B4-203 aircraft joined the fleet for the first time.
1985
1985
5 Boeing 737-300s models joined PIA fleet, making it the first Asian Airline of such diverse air fleet. Further, PIA assisted to establish Emirates Airlines by leasing two of its aircraft and provided technical and administrative assistance to Emirates in the mid 1980s.
1990s
1990s
This decade of PIA witnessed a surge in passenger traffic and burgeoning in PIA air services, fleet size and new destinations. PIA launched flights to Dubai, Fujairah, Al-Ain, Jakarta, Baku, JFK, and Canada just to name a few.
2000s
2000s
PIA fleet witnessed rapid growth where new models either leased or purchased joined the fleet. Further, non-stop flights to North America and Canada were launched to new destinations such as Toronto, New York, Chicago, Washington, and Huston.
