Pakistan International Airlines vs Airblue
VS 
Researched and checked: 11 Oct 2026
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is the national flag carrier, based in Karachi. Airblue is a private airline based in Islamabad. Travellers compare them mainly on domestic routes and flights to the Gulf, which both airlines serve.
Quick verdict
PIA suits travellers who need long-haul flights to the UK, Europe or East Asia, or who want a premium cabin on some aircraft. Airblue suits those flying within Pakistan or to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, particularly on a modern A320-family aircraft. Airblue's cheapest fare has no checked bag. PIA's fleet is small, with many aircraft inactive, so check flight status on either airline.
Choose Pakistan International Airlines if…
- You need a long-haul link to the UK, Europe or East Asia, where Airblue does not fly.
- You want Executive Economy or Business on aircraft that offer them.
- You are flying from the UK: PIA returned to Manchester and resumed Heathrow in March 2026.
Choose Airblue if…
- You are flying within Pakistan or to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Jeddah, Riyadh or Dammam.
- You want fares with clearly stated checked bags: none, 20 kg or 30 kg depending on fare.
- You prefer a newer short-haul fleet that includes A321neo aircraft.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
PIA uses Karachi as its main hub, with Islamabad and Lahore as secondary hubs. It serves domestic points, the Gulf, East Asia, the UK and Europe. Airblue flies domestically and to the UAE and Saudi Arabia only, with about 25 routes as of May 2026. A direct Islamabad–Dammam service started in November 2025. Airblue received UK approval in 2025, but no start date had been announced as of October 2025.
Long-haul and fleet
PIA operates Boeing 777s on long-haul routes. It has no 787 or A350. Air Data News reported on 9 October 2026 that about half its fleet is inactive and that only five of 12 777s were active. Air Data News also says the new owners are discussing Airbus aircraft and leasing. Airblue runs a fleet of about 11 Airbus A320-family aircraft, including an A321neo delivered in October 2024.
Cabins and seats
PIA offers Economy, Executive Economy and Business, depending on the aircraft. Airblue is single-class economy in a 3-3 layout. It dropped its business section some years ago. Airblue aircraft have overhead video screens. Check the cabin on your specific PIA flight when booking, since it varies by aircraft.
Baggage and fares
Airblue's checked baggage depends on the fare. Economy Value has none, Flexi has 20 kg and Xtra has 30 kg, with a 30 kg limit per bag. One cabin bag is allowed. Airblue terms. PIA's economy cabin bag is 7 kg, or 12 kg in Executive Economy and Business. Checked allowance varies by route and fare. Arab News reported 50 kg free in Economy on China routes.
Reliability and recent changes
PIA has changed a lot recently. EASA lifted its flight suspension in November 2024, and UK restrictions ended in July 2025. Arif Habib's consortium took over the airline, and management passed to PIA Equity Ltd on 29 June 2026. Given the limited number of active aircraft, check flight status before travelling. Airblue has no lounge: its Karachi Blue Lounge has closed.
Frequently asked questions
Is PIA better than Airblue?
It depends on the route. PIA is the only one of the two flying to the UK, Europe and East Asia, and it has premium cabins on some aircraft. Airblue is the more focused choice for domestic and Gulf flights.
Does Airblue include checked baggage?
Not on every fare. Economy Value has no checked bag, Flexi includes 20 kg and Xtra includes 30 kg. Every passenger gets one cabin bag.
Does Airblue fly to the UK?
No. Airblue received UK approval in 2025, but no start date had been announced as of October 2025. PIA flies to Manchester and Heathrow, with Heathrow resuming in March 2026.
About Pakistan International Airlines Read more
Overview
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is the national flag carrier of Pakistan. According to Wikipedia, it traces its origins to Orient Airways, founded on 29 October 1946, and began operating as PIA on 11 March 1955. It is headquartered at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, and is not a member of an airline alliance.
The state sold its stake in 2025–26. A consortium led by Arif Habib won a 75% share at auction on 23 December 2025 for Rs135 billion, as reported by Air Data News. Business Recorder reported on 28 April 2026 that the consortium acquired the remaining 25%. The Express Tribune reported that management formally passed to PIA Equity Ltd on 29 June 2026.
Network and hubs
Karachi is the main hub, with Islamabad and Lahore as secondary hubs. The airline serves domestic points, the Gulf, East Asia, the UK and Europe. EASA lifted its suspension in November 2024 and PIA resumed Paris flights in January 2025. UK restrictions ended in July 2025; PIA returned to Manchester, resumed Heathrow in March 2026 and plans seven weekly London flights, according to Air Data News (9 October 2026). It has also flown Islamabad–Beijing.
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a fleet of 35 aircraft, but the figure includes parked aircraft. Air Data News (9 October 2026) says about half the fleet is inactive. Only five of 12 Boeing 777s were active, with an average age above 20 years. PIA has no Boeing 787 or Airbus A350, so the 777 is its main long-haul type. The owners are discussing Airbus aircraft and leasing options. Business Recorder reported a target of 50 aircraft by September 2026 from 21 operational at the time; this target should be treated cautiously.
On board
Cabins are Economy, Executive Economy and Business, depending on aircraft. Seat pitch, entertainment, meal and Wi-Fi details were not confirmed from official sources and should be checked at booking.
Good to know
- Baggage: reseller sites generally quote a 7 kg cabin bag in Economy and 12 kg in Executive Economy and Business. Checked allowances differ by route and fare; on China routes, Arab News reported 50 kg free in Economy. Confirm with the airline.
- Loyalty: the frequent-flyer programme is Awards Plus.
- Schedules: fleet availability is limited, so check flight status before travel.
- Lounges and fees: not confirmed from official sources.
About Airblue Read more
Overview
Airblue is a private Pakistani airline. According to Wikipedia, it was established in 2003 by Tariq Chaudhary, a Pakistani-American IT professional, and began operations on 18 June 2004 with three leased Airbus A320s. Its head office is in the Islamabad Stock Exchange Tower, Islamabad. It does not belong to a global alliance. Its current IATA code is PA; the older code ED was used until 2012.
Network and hubs
Operating bases are Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan, with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Jeddah also listed as bases. As of May 2026 the airline served three countries and 25 routes. Domestic points include Multan and Skardu, which Airblue began serving in July 2022. International services run to the United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah) and Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam). A direct Islamabad–Dammam service started in November 2025. Airblue received approval to fly to the UK in 2025, but as of October 2025 no start date had been announced. Timetables can change, so check airblue.com.
Fleet
The Nation reported on 10 September 2026 that Airblue had 11 aircraft; Wikipedia's infobox lists 12. The fleet consists of Airbus A320-family aircraft. Airblue received its first A321neo, leased from GE Capital Aviation Services, in October 2024, and was the first Pakistani operator of a new-generation Airbus type.
On board
- Cabin: single-class economy in a 3-3 layout. A business class section was dropped some years ago.
- Entertainment: overhead video screens are fitted, according to Wikipedia.
- Meals, seat pitch and Wi-Fi: not confirmed in sources reviewed. Check the fare conditions when booking.
Good to know
- Baggage: one cabin bag per passenger, up to 22 x 15 x 8 in. Checked baggage depends on the fare: none with Economy Value, 20 kg with Flexi and 30 kg with Xtra, per the airline's terms. Each bag is limited to 30 kg.
- Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure on domestic flights and 90 minutes before on international flights.
- Loyalty: the programme is called Blue Miles, and sign-up is free.
- Lounge: the Blue Lounge at Karachi has closed.
- Safety and punctuality: no verified published on-time figure or safety summary was found for this profile.
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