I am looking to go to Pakistan end of March. Does anyone know if PIA or any other flights have any websites where I can search for rates and availability? Also I do not want to change too many planes. Does anyone have and good experience with any flight particularly when traveling with children?
Re: PIA or other flights
Depends strictly on where u're flying out of .. NY is pretty simple and PIA is a decent choice.. anywhere else.. it gets very iffy.. cuz PIA is EXTREMELY unreliable.
They do have a website.. www.piac.com .. u can try to use it.. I find it hopeless and a waste of time.. It's better to sit down with a desi travel agent..
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Neera, the last time I took PIA was with my family back in the day (mind you it was years ago and they have probably changed a lot now, but anyways...). My mom and us 4 kids were travelling from Toronto to Lahore. The hostess slapped my brother because he mistakely stepped on her foot. He was only 4 years old. I just couldn't believe it and ever since then, I never took PIA. Not only because of that incident but the disgusting daal and chawal which made me barf, and the bytchiness of all people we had to deal with from the baggage handling people to the hostesses, our luggage got lost etc.
A lot of travel agents don't want to book with PIA because of their over booking and unreliableness. But I agree with you that probably for convenience sake and not stopping all over the place, it is the best way.
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so what are some other options other than PIA. I haven't traveled back to Pakistan in six years and dont have much experience. I took Gulf airlines six years ago, changed so many planes but my luggage never got lost. I can't change that many planes this time because I will be taking my little son and it will be too hard to do so. Also, luggage is very important to me, and can't afford to lose that either.
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Hi Neera! Taking your little bot into account PIA is probably going to be the best option as it's most likely direct. I'm going to be travelling with them in feb after many years again due to the fact that my sis-in-law and nephews are going to be with me and a direct flight is going to be the best option! Normally we go with emirates and have to chnage at dubai, they are absolutely fab and i would recommend them to anyone!!
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No PIA!
Don't go on there,.........the food is sickening and the air hosts/hostesses are so stuck-up!
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can a mod. move this to Travel.
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Oh and are you allowed to carry food in your handbag......like for little kids who only eat a certain things? Or like milk and stuff?
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Yeah you can carry food with you but eeeeeeewwwwwwww,...........everytime they brought out those trollies with food, I puked :(
The smell of it is dire.
I never wanna travel on an aeroplane again.
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Neera...
I'm not sure where you are located...but what about British Airways? I think I'm going to try that route next time I go to pakistan. They may have a direct route from London and you can just schedule the flight from your home town to London with a 3 hour gap. I don't have kids...but I know from experience being at Heathrow that the guys with the carts are really helpful when you have kids or are pregnant by dropping you off at your gate.
Otherwise, if you can bear not eating anything for 14 hours or however long the PIA takes and the stink...I'd say it is easiest route.
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Emirates is the best choice from USA to Pakitan...in my experience. At least they listen to you & not ignore you like you don't exist even though you paid big $ to buy a ticket :MAD:
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i am also going to pak this month and i chosses pia because my 2 months son is with me and if u have a little son too than i recommand pia because of direct flight
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remember the PIA ‘direct’ flight stops at Manchester to pick up ‘savaarees’ .. on your way to Pak, u have the option of staying on the plane.. but on your way back to the USA, it’s a mandatory deplaning as they have to ‘rid’ the plane of desi germs entering into USA 
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Neera: Which US city will you be travelling from? If it's not New York then I think Ruiner's suggestion is quite good because there are flights from almost every major US city to London. And from there you have a nonstop British Airways flight to Islamabad.
If you are flying out of New York then I'd recommend to go for Emirates. Although it is expensive and you would have a short stop-over, I think it's worth it.
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I dont know but ive travelled PIA alto on the north american route and have found it to be very good... Cant complain, the only thing i have a problem with are too many kids in the flight and pakistani parents not controlling them at all, but cant blame PIA for that... if theres anything else that they screw up with, i forgive them, afterall its our own country, we have to be a little forgiving at times, plus, i feel good paying the $1600-1700 to PIA rather than any other airline, but I do realize that its your own money and you have the absolute right to use it anyway you want... just my 0.02
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If you are flying out of New York then I'd recommend to go for Emirates. Although it is expensive and you would have a short stop-over, I think it's worth it.
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Agree i always travelled with Emirates.Even if u r not flying out from newyork u can still go with that ,Bonus u can always stop over in dubai.
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While I do understand your frustration over PIA, it's not the doing of the airline. Rather its a problem with our people. Patriots tend to be dirty, loud, and rude and there is no place better to see this than on PIA. On my last flight, the plane was full and i was moved from business stand by and seated conveniently next to a newborn and his sleeping father. Half way through the flight, the poor baby ended up on my lap, the father snoozing away - oblivious of his childs shrieks.
On the plus, I think PIA has one of the best business class products available for travel to Pakistan. The staff is improving, you're given fine amenities and proper meals, the premium is not substantian vs economy, and most importantly it shaves a few hours off your flying time. Do look into this product, it's rarely full, you'll find seat sales every few months and the price point is very competitive.
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Agree i always travelled with Emirates.Even if u r not flying out from newyork u can still go with that ,Bonus u can always stop over in dubai.
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its cheaper than pia! my friend just got a return ticket for 1200! i paid 1400 for pia!
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PIA All the WAY, Now you can fly the Newest Boeing 777 300ER:
***will be handed over to PIA on Dec 21st…
***
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And the Tail looks like:
