PIA Adds First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Fleet on Wet Lease
PIA has inducted its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, wet-leased from Norse Atlantic Airways, bringing greater range, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort to its UK routes.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, marking the first time a Pakistani carrier has operated the type. The aircraft arrived in Islamabad on Sunday from London as flight PK-786 and is one of two 787-9s being wet-leased from Norway's Norse Atlantic Airways.
According to Boeing's published specifications, the 787-9 can seat up to 325 passengers and fly as far as 15,370 kilometres without refuelling. Norse Atlantic configures its own 787-9s with 338 seats, including 56 in Premium and 282 in Economy, giving a sense of the cabin layout the leased jets may offer.
The Dreamliner's design relies heavily on advanced materials. Roughly half of its airframe is built from carbon-fibre composites, which Boeing says reduces fuel consumption by about 25 percent compared with the aircraft the type typically replaces. The composite structure also allows the cabin to be pressurised at the equivalent of 6,000 feet — 2,000 feet lower than conventional jets — while maintaining higher humidity, which Boeing says helps reduce fatigue and jet lag on long-haul flights. The aircraft also features the largest windows of any widebody in service, fitted with electronic dimming rather than traditional shades.
In terms of range, Islamabad to London is roughly 6,000 kilometres, comfortably within the 787-9's capabilities. On paper, the aircraft's reach also covers nonstop services to North America, with Islamabad to New York spanning about 11,000 kilometres.
PIA has said the newly inducted aircraft will initially add capacity on its UK routes, following regulatory clearance to operate the 787 in Pakistan. The addition comes as the national carrier looks to modernise its fleet and improve its long-haul offering.
The induction of a modern, fuel-efficient widebody is a notable step for PIA, which has faced fleet ageing and capacity constraints in recent years. The wet-lease arrangement allows the airline to bring the aircraft into service quickly while it works on longer-term fleet planning.
