PIA to fit full-flat Business Class seats on five Boeing 777s, with an option on four more

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has signed an agreement to modernise the cabins of five Boeing 777s, with an option to upgrade four more, adding full-flat Business Class seats and refurbished Economy, ProPakistani reported.

The 777 is the aircraft PIA flies on its long routes to the UK, Europe, Canada and the Gulf, so this is the cabin most overseas Pakistanis sit in.

What changes on board

• Full-flat Business Class seats.
• Refurbished Economy seats.
• 60-watt in-seat charging, enough to charge a laptop, not just a phone.
• Upgraded passenger service systems (call buttons, reading lights), new carpets and new branding.

PIA did not mention Wi-Fi or a new entertainment system.

Who is doing the work and when

Aerotec Group and its subsidiary aviationscouts will supply interior refurbishment expertise, engineering support and supply chain coordination; the scope also covers certification, materials and logistics. The refit will be phased around PIA's fleet plans and maintenance schedules, so aircraft will be done one at a time as they come in for checks. No start date, finish date or cost was disclosed.

The privatised PIA

PIA CEO Muhammad Amir Hayat said the upgrade is part of the airline's transformation under its new consortium-led board and management, aimed at bringing comfort and onboard facilities up to international standards. The airline has since nominated Salam Air chief Adrian Hamilton Manns as its next CEO, as we reported, and is wet-leasing two more Boeing 777s to fly daily to London from 27 October.

What it means if you are booking

For now, a PIA 777 ticket still means the existing cabin, and you cannot choose a refitted aircraft. If you are paying in foreign currency, check the rupee cost with our currency converter.