Pakistan International Airlines’ first Boeing 787 Dreamliner has left London Heathrow Airport for Pakistan under a wet lease from Norse Atlantic Airways, the national carrier’s first commercial use of the long-haul jet.
The flight is operating as PK-786. Preparations were completed for a formal welcome when the aircraft reaches Islamabad International Airport at 5:00am on Sunday, including a traditional water cannon salute.
Aircraft age, capacity and wet lease
The PIA Dreamliner is about eight years old. Its first commercial flight was in May 2018, and it can seat 358 passengers. Under the wet lease, Norse Atlantic Airways will provide the crew and remain responsible for maintenance and insurance.
Airline officials describe the twin-aisle jet as highly efficient on fuel and well suited to long-haul work. A wet lease means the lessor supplies the aircraft with operational support, rather than PIA flying it only with its own crew and engineering arrangements from day one.
More flights between Pakistan and the UK
Adding the aircraft is expected to help PIA grow services between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, especially from Islamabad and Lahore. As part of that push, PIA is increasing its weekly flights to London from four to seven.
That frequency change would add three London services each week compared with the previous schedule. The carrier presents the Dreamliner’s arrival as a milestone in Pakistan’s aviation history: the first time PIA has put a Boeing 787 into commercial flight operations.
What travellers should watch next
Passengers on UK–Pakistan routes may see more schedule options once the higher London frequency is fully in place, alongside the larger cabin the new type offers. Exact fare changes, seat maps by class, and which existing aircraft the Dreamliner will replace on particular days were not set out in the available details.
For now, the confirmed picture is operational: a Norse-crewed 787 has begun the London–Pakistan link as PK-786, Islamabad is ready with a ceremonial arrival, and PIA has tied the lease to a wider UK capacity increase.
Aasan alfaaz mein
PIA ne pehli dafa Boeing 787 Dreamliner London se Pakistan bheja hai. Ye plane Norse Atlantic se wet lease par hai, yani crew aur maintenance unhi ki zimmedari hai. Islamabad airport par subah 5 baje paani ke cannon se welcome hoga. London ke haftawar flights chaar se saat kiye ja rahe hain, is se UK jaane walon ke liye zyada options milne ki ummeed hai.
