Many many years ago, I flew PIA from JFK to FRA because it was dirt cheap. We arrived at the airport to face long lines at baggage drop-off, check-in, etc. Once on the plane, we sat on the ground for about 2hrs with no explanation given -- and on top of that, they turned off the air conditioning for quite a while, lights went on and off, partially clothed kids ran up and down the aisles.

I don't remember the food, but the best part about flying PIA was being put on LH for the return because they were overbooked. Paradise in comparison...

My friend who used to fly JFK-FRA on PIA when he was living in NYC has more or less corroborated all of the above (he once had to pay for his accomodations at FRA because of a "mechanical delay"). The one bit of information he added was that PIA once permitted a passeneger to smoke pot for the duration of the flight - my friend claims the lady (who was sitting next to him) was rolling the joints with her feet and offering some to him.

Flew it in May of 1999 - quite a tense time over there. At DEL, there was the passport check to get to the check-in area, another at the desk, another at the immigrations counter, another at X-Ray, and then finally one at the top of the steps to the aircraft.

It was either that for me, or take the train. Judging from the stories I've heard, I figured I was better placing myself in Allah's hands, than those of Indian Railways.

Greg

Forgive me please, But why the HELL would anyone want to fly to Pakistan anyway?

Perhaps they might be Pakistani and or have family there!

Or may be just the curious/adventurous type!

C'mon! Pretty much anyplace is worth at least one brief visit!

Large country, populationwise, with 80mm people. Front line state during the cold war (stagng point for running arms including Stinger SAMs to the anti-Soviet resisters/Taliban), would-be customer for a fleet of F-16s (now sold to the RNZAF?), core of well-educated populace with naiscent technological capabilities to built and explode a nuclear weapon.

PK still fly between DEL and Lahore as well as BOM and Karachi and a few flights to Islamabad and/or Peshawar (though these flights are not always scheduled). Security is high for the obvious reasons. However there have not been any serious security breaches on these flights for some time now.

They are also the only way to fly between India and Pakistan as AI and IC do not serve this market at all. This is mainly b/c the bulk of pax are Pakistanis coming to India to visit family and/or religious places. There are relatively few Indians who have any links or desire to visit Pakistan.

FWIW, there's now a bus service to Lahore as well as the old train service (which is actually jointly run by both countries).

And Indian Railways is MUCH better than PK. Better food, more timely service, and friendly on board staff.

I'd like to remind those of you bothered by the reference to Allah that Alaska Airlines passes around those little "prayer cards" on board. Not much different IMHO, just a different outfit.

Has Pakistan Airline any frequent flyer program? If they do, whats their partner airlines?

hi Kempis if i remember well PIA had a program where for every 5 or 10 round trips flown you got a free round trip ticket.
This was for the europe/us routes.

I flew Pakistan 3 or 4 times about 7 years ago and i will never do it again. I'm amazed their planes never crash.

Doesnt it sounds like PIA could be a member of the Sky Team soon ?

[deleted]

[This message has been edited by rozy (edited 01-07-2001).]

I remember several years ago when I was flying DL in F between ATL and BCN, that the FA and I were talking during the layover in MAD. We were swapping horror stories. She told me about the friend she had on a PIA flight. The plane nearly crashed, and in fact, had to make an emergency landing. It seems that in the back of the airplane there was a family traveling together and they became hungry. She mentioned the long delays common on PIA flights.

While in flight (and cabin pressurized) this family seated in the rear of the plane took out their cooker (containing oil) and began cooking dinner. The oil toppled over and set the carpeting and other items on fire. They were able to make an emergency landing and many were injured.

I always remembered this due to how incredibly outrageous it sounded. I joked maybe they needed to offer 2 classes of service...Cooking and non-cooking.

[This message has been edited by FlyingRev (edited 01-06-2001).]

flew PIA about 12 years ago,missed NW connection MNL-NRT,got put on PIA to NRT
Worst flight I was ever on!!!
Woman behind me in coach prepared tea for herself on what appeared to be some kind of bunson burner!!!
Flight attendants didn't seem phased.
Flight was 4 hours late,missed connection to ORD and they did put me up at hotel at narita with meal vouchers.
Would never go out of my way to fly this carrier no matter how cheap!!!

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Dear Flyingrev and SJK616,

If those stories are true, and I have no reason to doubt them, those incidents are eerily reminiscent of a crash that some of you on this board may remember, concerning an airliner (I don't remember whose, but I think it was a 747) that exploded upon takeoff from Mecca about 10 years ago.

It was carrying Muslim pilgrims who had just made the HAJ, and one of them apparently started a portable cooking stove to prepare something to eat or drink. Obviously, something went tragically wrong, and the plane exploded with, as I remember, all hands being lost.

Kempis -- With these horror stories appearing all too in sync with one another, why would you wish to tempt fate and ask if they have a frequent flyer program?

Perhaps one of the awards is a discount on a burial service?