FlyerTalk Forums - Pakistan Airline anyone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by indogulf (Post 40607)

AI used to be a very reputable airline however of late they have experienced a great deal of problems primarily associated with an old and insufficient fleet. In the early '80's they were actually in the top 20 airlines in the world.

now, AI have so few aircraft that any delay in the system leads to major problems throughout. Not to mention the sad state of many aircraft lead to routine flight delays and concellations. On top of this, the airline is still government owned and as such there is a general snese of apathy that exists with the majority of ground staff. AI still has very competent flight crews and passable cabin crew but their ground staff is amongst the worst possible. Actually, a lot of AI flight crew are recruited by SQ, EK, MH, etc. Hopefully once the ongoing privatization efforts are completed AI will regain some of its past glory...

I can attest to this from experience, having flown AI many times. It is normaally a good experience and food/service are excellent. The problem lies with AI's ability to cope with unexpected situations: if you miss a connection, if fog/snow cancel your flight, if your luggage is lost, their handling of the situation may make you sorry you didn't choose another carrier. Not only is AI a relatively small carrier with very few planes at its disposal, it is also plauged by bureaucratic culture in which staff is either unable or unwilling to do anything but its routine duties. (I should note that US carriers are also sinking to similar levels.)

While I think it is almost inevitable that a few Indian carriers will take their place among the world's best, AI nay not be in that group. While AI languishes in its buruacratic mode, India herself has moved on to the market system and produced far more dynamic companies like Jet Airways and Kingfisher on the mainstream side and Spicejet and Air Deccan on the low cost side. I would be surprised if AI could catch up with them.

As for the OP's question, I have not flown with the PIA. Its reputation, among many Westerners as well as Pakistanis, is not good. All I can suggest to OP is to weigh his savings against the potential for bad experience.