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Pakistan International Airlines (PK) Guide

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Flights from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to the Gulf, Europe, the UK and Asia, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper PIA fares. Ask a question
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In short

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is the flag carrier of Pakistan, with its hub at Jinnah International in Karachi. It serves about 50 destinations, 20 domestic and 28 international, connecting Pakistani cities with each other and with overseas communities. PIA is not in an alliance and runs Awards Plus. Cabins are Business and Economy.

PIA is Pakistan’s national airline. It was privatised in 2025 and has resumed flights to Europe and the UK after a ban of several years.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Pakistan International Airlines. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is the national airline of Pakistan, headquartered at Jinnah International Airport (KHI) in Karachi with secondary hubs in Lahore and Islamabad. It flies within Pakistan and to the Gulf, Asia, Europe and North America, and is the main choice for travellers going to smaller Pakistani cities or flying direct between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

From Orient Airways to PIA

PIA began as Orient Airways, founded on 29 October 1946 by Mirza Ahmad Ispahani and Adamjee Haji Dawood and registered in Calcutta. Orient started flying on 30 June 1947, shortly before Partition. It was merged into the state-backed Pakistan International Airlines Corporation on 11 March 1955, and the same year PIA opened a route to London via Cairo and Rome.

PIA's jet and route firsts in the 1960s

In 1960 PIA became the second Asian airline after Air India to fly a jet commercially, a leased Boeing 707. In 1964 it became the first airline from a non-communist country to fly to China. PIA helped set up Emirates in 1985, and in 2004 it was the launch customer for the Boeing 777-200LR. On 10 November 2005 one of those aircraft flew from Hong Kong to London nonstop in 22 hours and 22 minutes, then a record for a commercial passenger flight.

Flights to Europe and the UK

PIA was cleared to fly to the European Union again on 29 November 2024 and to the United Kingdom on 16 July 2025, and flights to both have restarted.

Who owns PIA now?

In December 2025 the government sold a 75 percent stake to a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation for about 135 billion rupees, roughly 480 million US dollars, ending decades of full state control. In February 2026 the group announced plans to buy the remaining 25 percent. Lt. Gen. (Retd) Anwar Ali Hyder is chairman, and Adrian Hamilton-Manns was appointed chief executive in October 2026.

Network and fleet

PIA serves about 20 domestic and 28 international destinations. Many international routes link Pakistan with the large Pakistani communities in the Gulf and the United Kingdom. The fleet numbers between 32 and 36 aircraft: Boeing 777s on long-haul routes, Airbus A320s on domestic and regional flights, and ATR turboprops on smaller domestic airports.

Hotels and other assets

PIA's group owns the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, now used as a homeless shelter, and the Sofitel and Scribe hotels in Paris.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
PIA official website

See the source
  1. PIA official website
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Good to know

  • Founded1946
  • Other gatewaysISB / LHE
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

PK · PIA

IATA · ICAO · callsign “PAKISTAN”

Look for PK in front of the number on your ticket: that prefix marks a flight sold under the PIA code. Enter PK and the number to follow a PIA departure.

Key facts

Main hub

Karachi (KHI)

Jinnah International

Also flies abroad fromIslamabad (ISB) · Lahore (LHE)

Network

About 50 destinations

20 domestic · 28 international

PIA connects Pakistan’s cities with the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, and again since 2025 with Paris and Manchester, plus Toronto and Asia.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Business

Business and Economy on most aircraft.

Compare cabins

Good to know

European flights resumed in January 2025 after EASA lifted its ban, and UK flights restarted with Islamabad–Manchester in October 2025. A consortium led by Arif Habib bought a majority stake in December 2025. Official website: piac.com.pk.

Frequent flyer

Awards Plus

No global alliance

PIA is not in an alliance; its programme is Awards Plus.

How it works

Start a new search

Before you book PIA, run the same dates through bookingMentor: rival airlines on routes from KHI appear in one set of results.

Enjoy your PIA flight!

Select dates

At a glance

Pakistan International Airlines (IATA: PK, ICAO: PIA) is the flag carrier of Pakistan, with roots in 1946 and its hub at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. It flies about 32–35 Boeing 777, Airbus A320 and ATR aircraft to around 20 domestic and 28 international destinations.

Key facts about Pakistan International Airlines
HeadquartersJinnah International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan
Fleet typesBoeing 777-200ER, 777-300ER, Airbus A320, ATR 42/72
Frequent flyerAwards Plus
Official websitepiac.com.pk

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
The PIA network at a glance. The airline changes routes from time to time, and a search shows which PK flights run on your dates. Search flights

Pakistan

Karachi (KHI) departures7 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

About 32–35 aircraft: Boeing 777s on long-haul, Airbus A320s on regional routes and ATRs at home.

  • Boeing 777-200ER Wide-body Europe, UK, Canada and Saudi Arabia
  • Boeing 777-300ER Wide-body Europe, UK, Canada and Saudi Arabia
  • Airbus A320 Narrow-body Domestic and Gulf routes
  • ATR 42 Turboprop Northern areas and smaller domestic airports
  • ATR 72 Turboprop Northern areas and smaller domestic airports

Cabin classes

Two cabins are on sale at PIA: Economy and Business. Not every PIA route has all of them.

Economy All flights

Full service

MealsChecked bag included

Business Most jets

More space and priority

Priority check-inExtra baggageLounge access where offered

Awards Plus

PIA’s loyalty programme. Join Awards Plus online before you fly so the trip counts.

PIA's frequent flyer programme is Awards Plus. The airline is not in a global alliance.

Baggage allowance

Check your e-ticket for the exact PIA allowance. It is set by the fare type, the cabin and the route, whether you start at KHI or another airport.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Allowances depend on route, cabin and fare; Gulf and Saudi routes often have generous allowances for workers and pilgrims. Check your e-ticket.

Pro tip: PIA schedules and routes have changed often during its restructuring and privatisation, so confirm your flight on piac.com.pk close to departure. Check the baggage allowance printed on your ticket, as it differs by route and fare.
Travel day

Online Check-in

The four steps below take you from your PIA booking to the gate, whether you depart from KHI or another airport on its network.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Use piac.com.pk or app to check in for eligible flights. Have your PIA booking reference or e-ticket number and your surname ready.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Before leaving for the airport, check that your passport is valid and that you hold any visa or entry document needed at the other end of your PIA flight. Domestic PK passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Get to the airport with time for PIA check-in, bag drop and security. The airline sets a deadline for each airport, shown in your booking, and late arrivals can lose their seat.

    3 hours before international
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    PIA desks and bag-drop points take your hold luggage. Keep the bag-tag receipt with your boarding pass until the bags come off at the end of your PK trip.

    PIA counter
Ready to check in? Check in and manage your booking on the official PIA website.
Check in with PIA
Save money

Cheap tickets

A few booking habits that tend to cut the cost of flying PIA.

  1. 01

    Look across the week

    PIA fares are often lower on midweek departures. Search a spread of dates around your trip to find the cheaper days.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Eid, the Hajj season and the UK/European summer holidays are the busiest times.

    Eid, Hajj & summer
  3. 03

    Check what each PIA fare includes

    Look at the next PIA fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.

    Baggage & changes

  4. Ready to compare fares?

    Search PIA alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search PIA flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying Pakistan International Airlines.
Answers checked against PIA’s official sources and public aviation references, and reviewed each season.

General

In December 2025 the Pakistani government sold 75 percent of PIA to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group. The government kept the remaining 25 percent, which the buyers later announced plans to purchase, subject to approval.