Flights to Pakistan

[Exigeowner]

It looks like I will be travelling to Pakistan for some business meetings next month, I hate flying with a passion and think it may be a little easier if I travel 1st class or business class, are there any tips for how to book the best deals and with what airflines for this destination.

[AMZ1]

I normally go by EMIRATES, quick stop over in dubai for couple of hours.

BA who fly direclty or PIA which is the national carrier, also fly direct. Not a big fan of PIA so don't want to recommend them.

If your on a budget, AIRBLUE is for you, you can book via airblue.com (this is the NO THRILLS AIRLINE that flies to pakistan), i wouldnt recommend them as you said you don't like flying. They got some second hand airplanes which are very small compared to the 747 and 777 that other above airlines have. Travelled with them from dubai to pakistan and back last month for the first time and can easily say i have never been so scared in my life!, because the plane is not so big, it gets chucked around in the air alot at 30,000ft................lets say NEVER AGAIN.

Where about in pakistan you going? i assume its your first time?

[itr786]

emirates would be your best bet.

AVOID PIA AT ALL COST!.

[dreamz]

agree avoid PIA at all costs

i've flown with airblue a few times and they're quite good. u can get a good price and the first class is usually empty-ish.

[dreamz]

the only thing with the emirites flight is the flight time is much longer *by around 3/4 hrs maybe more* as u have to stop over and wait for a connecting flight. but emirites is nice

airblue stops over at turkey but u only walk out for around 15 mins - adds around 45 mins to the flight time

[Exigeowner]

Thanks for all replies,

It would be my first visit to Pakistan and the plan of areas is Rawalpindi, Mirpur Mathelo, Multan, Islamabad and Lahore.

I will of course be looking into my places to visit but any advise from here of people that know the country would be appreciated.

I am hoping to do it all in a crazy short time, two days over there ??? maybe impossible ??

PIA taken note not to consider !

Airblue AMZ1 has said enough to put me off despite a few others mentioning them,

As such the trip is not being done on the cheapest budget as I am looking at business or first class and would prefer to have a direct flight ( again any comments on the difference between first and business would be good )

Having said that if I have two option and one was much cheaper I would consider it for sure if it meant a change somewhere along the route.

[Golfman]

I used http://www.swefly.com/ to Lahore a couple of years back. Not sure if they still fly to Pakistan now though?

[srebbe64]

Give 'Dial a Flight' a call (Google it), tell them what you're after and I guarantee you'll be pretty impressed with their price, knowledge and service. I use them all the time.

[Howitzer]

Be warned though that numerous people who have flow to Karachi via Dubai with Emirates have missed the connecting flight and have had to wait about 7 hours for the next one, I was delayed aswell, annoying if you have a planned meeting.

Dave!

[AMZ1]

Hi
Rawalpindi, Mirpur Mathelo, Multan, Islamabad and Lahore in 2 days is not possible. You need i would think depending how long each meetings is and if you choose to rest or sleep, 4-5 days maybe.

Rawalpindhi and islamabad are next to each other, so short 10 min ride.

Pretty hot this time of year, i was there 3 weeks ago temp was around 38-40 depending where you were during the day.

Try southall travel for flights etc.

Enjoy!

Edited by AMZ1 on Saturday 31st May 17:10

[dreamz]

that itenary is impossible in two days - the road quality simply doesnt allow for that distance to be covered.

and night driving is a death waiting to happen

if you want direct and exec travel - british airways fly from heathrow

[Exigeowner]

Back to the Pakistan visit again, I put if off last year when the hotel bomb etc, I know it can happen anywhere but still I decided not to go, Is it safe to travel over there now, I know its a bit of an impossible question but any advise comments of dos and donts would be appreciated.

[fergywales]

I've been advised not to travel to the sub-continent work wise for the present time, unless necessary.

I was a more regular visitor to Mumbai than to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad and the events in November there had a more profound effect than I'd have expected, having been in Mumbai during the 2006 train attacks, I thought I was quite hardened to it, but from seeing the attacks from 4500miles away was still shocking, and certainly made me question the financial gain of outsourcing work. I now tend to rely on teleconferencing more than ever, and have only 2 trips to India/Pakistan planned for this year.

[Tearz]

Emirates - full stop. The best airliner I have flown 8 times with no problems - very accommodating and the staff looked after me very well.

BA is ok, but the staff are crap!

PIA - NO ! I flew with them 3 times and the food were shi*ty!!!

Edited by Tearz on Tuesday 27th January 01:13

[_Voyager_]

Tearz said:

Emirates - full stop. The best airliner I have flown 8 times with no problems - very accommodating and the staff looked after me very well.

BA is ok, but the staff are crap!

PIA - NO ! I flew with them 3 times and the food were shi*ty!!!

Edited by Tearz on Tuesday 27th January 01:13

+ 1

Qatar are also good but don't know if they go to stan.

If you get the Emirates out of Dubai in the morning back, its A380 all the way... and my god how that thing fly's is beyond me. It is as long as a train and as high as a building.

Also don't worry about the bommings, you go to London don't you?