PIA US-Pak Non-stop soon

teggy · Aug 12th, 2008, 02:52 PM

Pak-US direct flights likely next month, NA told

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP): Federal Minister for Defense Chaudhry Ahemd Mukhtar said Monday that direct Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights between Pakistan and the United States are likely to start next month.

Responding to a question in the Lower House of the Parliament, the federal minister said the two countries had discussed the matter during the recent visit of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to the United States.

“The matter was raised before the US government during the visit and the host country had expressed it consent in this regard,” the minister told the House.
PIA had purchased Boeing 777 long- and extended-range aircraft with the aim to start direct flight from Pakistan to the United States.

The minister said the PIA has already started direct flights from Canada, adding that direct flight towards US would shortly be started as the US government has shown its consent in this regard.

The minister said the flight to Euston is underway via Chicago, adding that direct flight to the said destination used to incur huge expenditures.

To another query, Ahmed Mukhtar said the PIA is willing to start working on some new routes as well but it lacks funds to purchase new aircraft.

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Pak-US direct flights likely next month, NA told

This is awesome news. I hope this materializes unlike the last few attempts which were crushed amid security fears. This would benefit the US based Pakistanis the most and would take out the hassle of de-boarding halfway through the journey.

Toronto is already served Nonstop 12hrs i believe using the new generation -LR type aircrafts PIA inducted.

How do you all feel about this?

hsap · Aug 12th, 2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teggy

I hope this materializes unlike the last few attempts which were crushed amid security fears.

i hope so too

paki boy · Aug 12th, 2008, 02:58 PM

This is great! I hope they start non-stop flights from Washington as well

Spock · Aug 12th, 2008, 03:02 PM

I hope it works, as I prefer a direct flight from Chicago.

teggy · Aug 12th, 2008, 03:03 PM

I think PIA needs to expand its stretch coastwide and reach California. If PIA doesn't, Emirates will.

hsap · Aug 12th, 2008, 03:06 PM

^^^ yeah someone better schedule direct flights for californians , it takes 32-38 hrs to reach pakistan ( including transit time)

teggy · Aug 12th, 2008, 03:07 PM

Wow. That sucks. And i thought 16hrs were long

a1kashur · Aug 12th, 2008, 04:15 PM

We keep hearing such news but nothing happens. Hopefully this time it is different.

My dad just went to Pakistan for Ramadan non-stop via Toronto which he said he so much better and shorter. Beside people hate going to Manchester airport so they can be treated like crap.

Orpheus · Aug 12th, 2008, 05:09 PM

is this something travellers even want? 16-17 hrs on a plane. Ugh!!!

teggy · Aug 12th, 2008, 05:44 PM

Most prefer a ultra-longhaul flight rather than having to deboard and go through security again at Manchester. It's such a hassle.

So i think this nonstop will be welcomed by most...if not all.

Lafanter · Aug 12th, 2008, 05:46 PM

my uncle flew from houston to lahore direct 4 year ago
took abt 20 hrs

coOoLBreeze · Aug 13th, 2008, 03:03 AM

Its a good news ( again),, lets see if it materializes. After analyzing the treatment Pakistan's highest level delegation got recently at US soil. This still looks a fantasy.

Anyhow. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar all fly non-stop to their respective countries and then very convenient connections are available to all cities of Pakistan.The tickets are cheaper and Manchester treatment could be avoided as well

Umer · Aug 13th, 2008, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teggy

I think PIA needs to expand its stretch coastwide and reach California. If PIA doesn't, Emirates will.

Emirates has done that already.

See here.

That will be 16 hours from LA to Dubai and then another 2 hours to Karachi or 3 hours from Dubai to Lahore/Islamabad.

coOoLBreeze · Aug 13th, 2008, 07:41 AM

..........

teggy · Aug 13th, 2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Umer

Emirates has done that already.

See here.

That will be 16 hours from LA to Dubai and then another 2 hours to Karachi or 3 hours from Dubai to Lahore/Islamabad.

Woah. nice.

Using A380 perhaps?! in combination with 777

coOoLBreeze · Aug 13th, 2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teggy

Woah. nice.

Using A380 perhaps?! in combination with 777

A380's will come in 2011. depending on the success of the Route. I believe it will be sooner than 2011.

Spas, showers and more: Emirates Airline invites guests aboard Airbus A380 at LAX - Los Angeles Times

aqeel123 · Aug 13th, 2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsap

^^^ yeah someone better schedule direct flights for californians , it takes 32-38 hrs to reach pakistan ( including transit time)

32- 38 hours ? i dunno how much transit time do they .. but shldnt take more than 22 to 24 hrs !

and i hope direct flights from NY to ISB wud take like 12 - 13 hrs if plane is on time !

Asif2000 · Aug 13th, 2008, 12:22 PM

I thought they were already flying direct from Chicago and NY non-stop. What am I missing?

coOoLBreeze · Aug 13th, 2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asif2000

I thought they were already flying direct from Chicago and NY non-stop. What am I missing?

yeah direct flight from Chicago and Ny with some chitrol in Manchester and London as for security clearance

Umer · Aug 14th, 2008, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coOoLBreeze

A380's will come in 2011. depending on the success of the Route. I believe it will be sooner than 2011.

Spas, showers and more: Emirates Airline invites guests aboard Airbus A380 at LAX - Los Angeles Times

Emirates is already flying the A380 on the Dubai-New York route, so I guess they will use A380s for the Dubai-LA flight and the Dubai-SF flight as well.