Pakistan International Airlines receives first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has received its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with the aircraft arriving at Islamabad International Airport (ISB) from London Heathrow (LHR) on November 1, 2026.

The aircraft operated the flight under PIA flight number PK786. The arrival marks the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been introduced by a Pakistani airline. The aircraft, however, is not a new purchase. It has been leased from Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic Airways under an agreement covering two Boeing 787-9s.

The deal was signed in October and is based on an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) arrangement, commonly known as a wet lease. Norse Atlantic provides the aircraft and crew and remains responsible for maintenance and insurance, while PIA uses the aircraft for its own passenger services.

According to Pakistani media reports, the aircraft is approximately eight years old and completed its first commercial flight in May 2018. It has a reported seating capacity of 358 passengers and is equipped with an in-flight entertainment system.

More capacity for UK routes

The main reason behind the agreement is PIA’s plan to increase its capacity between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

The airline returned to the London market on March 29, 2026, after a six-year absence. Its comeback followed the lifting of restrictions that had prevented Pakistani airlines from operating flights to the UK.

Since then, PIA has been working to increase its presence in the market. The airline has planned additional services connecting Islamabad and Lahore with London Heathrow and Manchester, with the leased Boeing 787-9s intended to operate several of these routes.

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According to published schedule information, the first aircraft is scheduled to replace Boeing 777 equipment on selected London services, with Manchester operations also planned. The second Dreamliner is expected to provide further capacity once it joins the operation.

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