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Originally Posted by tashi
(Post 8377230)
I stumbled upon this thread as I was searching for Peshawar and was amazed at how people looked down on PIA and Pakistan as a country. Then I wanted to see what people would say in post 9/11 era as this thread was started in Jan 01 but surprisingly no one said anything... I guess it must have been buried in time.
I am wondering if people's views are still exactly the same or any different??? Any new experiences with PIA and their brand new line of 777 aircraft. Or with the brand new ATR-72s in place of the ageing Fokkers??? Any thoughts of the brand new Alama Iqbal International Airport at Lahore (LHE)? I also took the liberty of looking at the wikipedia article on PIA and many of you will be surprised to read some of their achievements over time: First airline from an Asian country to fly the Super Constellation. First Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft. First Asian airline to be granted maintenance approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Registration Board, predecessor of the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). First non-communist airline to fly to the People's Republic of China, and operate a service between Asia and Europe via Moscow. First airline in Asia to induct the new technology Boeing 737-300 aircraft. An IBM 1401, the first computer in Pakistan, was installed in PIA. First airline in the world to operate scheduled helicopter services. First airline to show in-flight movies on international routes. PIA set up Pakistan's first planetarium at Karachi. The first airline in South Asia to introduce auto-ticketing facility. The first airline in the world to fly to Tashkent, capital of the newly independent state of Uzbekistan. First airline in the world to start Air Safari with jet aircraft. First Asian airline to start flights to Oslo, the capital city of Norway. First airline in the world to induct Boeing 777-200LR, the world's longest range commercial airliner. First airline in the world to take delivery of the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner (Longer Range Variant). Pakistan International Airlines Flight Services Department was awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certification award during May 2006. First airline in the south east region to offer seat reservations through mobile communications. First airline in Pakistan to operate a flight with an all female crew at command and serving in the cabin. So what do you all think? |
I guess first doesn't make it best. I flew 'em once.......NEVER AGAIN. The service was horrible/non-existent, the food was no good (and I am used to Indian and Pakistani food) and the feeling of safety....just not there. I personally avoid at all costs....including cost savings (and that's a first too).:td:
Originally Posted by tashi
(Post 8377230)
I stumbled upon this thread as I was searching for Peshawar and was amazed at how people looked down on PIA and Pakistan as a country. Then I wanted to see what people would say in post 9/11 era as this thread was started in Jan 01 but surprisingly no one said anything... I guess it must have been buried in time.
I am wondering if people's views are still exactly the same or any different??? Any new experiences with PIA and their brand new line of 777 aircraft. Or with the brand new ATR-72s in place of the ageing Fokkers??? Any thoughts of the brand new Alama Iqbal International Airport at Lahore (LHE)? I also took the liberty of looking at the wikipedia article on PIA and many of you will be surprised to read some of their achievements over time: First airline from an Asian country to fly the Super Constellation. First Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft. First Asian airline to be granted maintenance approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Registration Board, predecessor of the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). First non-communist airline to fly to the People's Republic of China, and operate a service between Asia and Europe via Moscow. First airline in Asia to induct the new technology Boeing 737-300 aircraft. An IBM 1401, the first computer in Pakistan, was installed in PIA. First airline in the world to operate scheduled helicopter services. First airline to show in-flight movies on international routes. PIA set up Pakistan's first planetarium at Karachi. The first airline in South Asia to introduce auto-ticketing facility. The first airline in the world to fly to Tashkent, capital of the newly independent state of Uzbekistan. First airline in the world to start Air Safari with jet aircraft. First Asian airline to start flights to Oslo, the capital city of Norway. First airline in the world to induct Boeing 777-200LR, the world's longest range commercial airliner. First airline in the world to take delivery of the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner (Longer Range Variant). Pakistan International Airlines Flight Services Department was awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certification award during May 2006. First airline in the south east region to offer seat reservations through mobile communications. First airline in Pakistan to operate a flight with an all female crew at command and serving in the cabin. So what do you all think? |
Originally Posted by maskedavenger77
(Post 8380541)
I guess first doesn't make it best. I flew 'em once.......NEVER AGAIN. The service was horrible/non-existent, the food was no good (and I am used to Indian and Pakistani food) and the feeling of safety....just not there. I personally avoid at all costs....including cost savings (and that's a first too).:td:
I am not sure if your flying experience is recent or a decade old, but there has been lots of changes in PIA in the last 3 or so years since they replaced their fleet. I flew them last year and the service on the 777 was superb. The IFE was awesome, better than UA/AA 777s. PIA actually offers Pakistani and Western cuisine. You didnt have to taste that biryani if you didnt want to. They have a force of stewards and flight attendants giving out drinks, coffee, tea through out the flight. Lastly, PIA pilots are all "real" pilots from ex-airforce backgrounds. They know flying and they know how to fly over all the danger zones in the world. I would rather feel confortable with a PIA pilot than the captain cessna master who needs ATC to guide him over the Kansas prairies. |
Originally Posted by tashi
(Post 8377230)
First airline to... First airline to... First airline to... First airline to... First airline to... First airline to... First airline to... First airline to... First airline to...
Plus, there's this. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6418891.stm |
Originally Posted by tashi
(Post 8377230)
I stumbled upon this thread as I was searching for Peshawar and was amazed at how people looked down on PIA and Pakistan as a country. Then I wanted to see what people would say in post 9/11 era as this thread was started in Jan 01 but surprisingly no one said anything... I guess it must have been buried in time.
I am wondering if people's views are still exactly the same or any different??? Any new experiences with PIA and their brand new line of 777 aircraft. Or with the brand new ATR-72s in place of the ageing Fokkers??? Any thoughts of the brand new Alama Iqbal International Airport at Lahore (LHE)? I also took the liberty of looking at the wikipedia article on PIA and many of you will be surprised to read some of their achievements over time: First airline from an Asian country to fly the Super Constellation. First Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft. First Asian airline to be granted maintenance approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Registration Board, predecessor of the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). [rest of long "first to ..." list deleted to save space] So what do you all think? |
Originally Posted by rrgg
(Post 8381390)
Don't many perceive Pakistan as basically a completely different country now? I'm not sure how that resume helps.
Plus, there's this. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6418891.stm PIA chairman was replaced and they took appropriate maintenance measures to EU's satisfaction. |
Having read the many reports about lousy food on PIA, I must say that my own experience was different. I flew PIA (in C) on the SIN-KHI & KHI-FRA legs and I thought their food was pretty good - but then, I must confess to a weakness for curries!
I also took a 'mountain flight' with them on a 737 (under the command of no less a man than PIA's then CEO) - which was the most thrilling experience I have had, coming to seemingly within hands reach of the peaks of K2. In comparison, the Everest flights in Nepal are very, very tame since the aircraft stay miles away from the mountains. |
Never flown them but saw on the news tonight the story about Sharif arriving into pakistan (and promptly being deported) - they had a shot of him in J, and they seem to have pretty up to date lie-flat seats in J :)
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Originally Posted by tashi
(Post 8381954)
Thats old news now!!!
PIA chairman was replaced and they took appropriate maintenance measures to EU's satisfaction. |
Tashi,
I'm kinda glad you awoke this thread. I've been flying PIA since I was a kid. Back in the early '80, I saw many westerners flying PIA. But that has changed now, despite the fact PIA has kept on updating their fleets and has a good on-time flight record. Perhaps its due to the perception the media has created of Pakistan. However, there are just little inconveniences that has myself wondering if I will continue to use the national flag carrier in my future visits to KHI. As a matter of fact, I'm flying out in a few days from JFK to KHI via PIA. I was shocked to learn that they have dropped the weight limit of checked in baggage to 23 kg (50 lbs). It used to be 32 kg (70 lbs) and was lowered to 28 kg (61 lbs) a few years ago. But as of August 2007, it's now a ridiculous 50 lbs per piece (2 pieces allowed per passenger). Another issue is the hassle PIA passengers have to go through at Manchester Airport when flying to PK. They are treated horribly by the airport screeners that they must pass through in order to advance to the lounge during plane re-fueling. The line is long and by the time you're done with the screening process, its time to board the plane again. Just a few days ago, a friend of mine flew Etihad Airways to KHI and he had the utmost praise for the airline. Firstly, his checked in luggage was allowed 70 lbs per piece (2 pieces allowed). And he stated that during the flight bathrooms were cleaned many times and the flight crew was very responsive and polite. PIA was at one point a great airline and I should know since I've flew them dozens of times. But now my next trip booking will not be with PIA. |
Wirelessly posted (T-Mobile Wing PocketPC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 6.12) T-Mobile_Atlas)
I love this thread. This is what Flyertalk does best. I'd be tempted to fly PK simply to get some more amazing travel stories. I'd make sure I'd have lots of time to be delayed though. Flying Aeroflot in early 80's was pretty amazing. I would trade my experiences with them. One time my seatbelt didn't work. I told the FA and she simply tied the two ends in a knot. Problem solved! Definitely fly PK and then write an amazing trip report. I want pics of the bad C class food! |
IMHO, PIA has seen one of the biggest transformations of any airline on its long haul planes in Business Class.
I would rate the 777 J cabin to among the best (lie-flat, similar to SQ's but narrower) IFE is amazing, cabin crew service is unbeatable (you may find it a little pushy if you are not familiar with pakistani culture - it you say you don't want a meal they will keep asking you "are you sure you don't want just a little? try some of this" etc etc) Last time I flew they had big trays of food on a trolley and served the food individually on your plate. The washrooms were kept clean (this does not happen in Y) the IFE was AVOD and of a good quality. On other planes such as the 747 you get the same "soft product" but the hard product is noticeably weaker. My dad said he would put PK miles over EY,BA and LH/AC for travel to KHI from YYZ. Punctuality is a bit of a hit/miss but it is getting better and on B777 flights the delays are not too bad. Cheers |
Originally Posted by olafman
(Post 8449696)
Wirelessly posted (T-Mobile Wing PocketPC: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 6.12) T-Mobile_Atlas)Flying Aeroflot in early 80's was pretty amazing. I would trade my experiences with them. One time my seatbelt didn't work. I told the FA and she simply tied the two ends in a knot. Problem solved!
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Originally Posted by FedUp2
(Post 8381998)
Having read the many reports about lousy food on PIA, I must say that my own experience was different. I flew PIA (in C) on the SIN-KHI & KHI-FRA legs and I thought their food was pretty good - but then, I must confess to a weakness for curries!
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Originally Posted by FedUp2
(Post 8381998)
I also took a 'mountain flight' with them on a 737 (under the command of no less a man than PIA's then CEO) - which was the most thrilling experience I have had, coming to seemingly within hands reach of the peaks of K2. In comparison, the Everest flights in Nepal are very, very tame since the aircraft stay miles away from the mountains.
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