I have heard countless stories about flights being delayed, but this PIA flight from Skardu to Lahore took me by surprise. It departed early, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best flights of my life. The journey covered almost half of Pakistan, giving me a bird's eye view of the mountains, lakes, and valleys I have only explored from the ground.
Watch the full flight review on the Salman Travel Diaries YouTube channel.
The Journey
When I arrived at Skardu airport for my PIA flight to Lahore, I was already excited about the route. The crew informed all passengers that the flight would depart earlier than scheduled, which was refreshing news for a change. Early departures are rare in Pakistani aviation, so this immediately set a positive tone for the journey.
As we took off from Skardu, I realized this wasn't just another domestic flight. The aircraft climbed steadily, and within minutes, the entire landscape below transformed into something magical. From my window seat, I could see the towering peaks of the Himalayan ranges, the Karakoram mountains, and the Hindu Kush stretching endlessly. The views were breathtaking.
What made this flight even more special was the ongoing announcement system. As we flew over different regions, the cabin crew kept passengers informed about the areas we were passing. They mentioned the northern areas, all three major mountain ranges, and the Azad Kashmir hills that appeared on our left side after about a minute or two. These announcements added a travel documentary feel to the entire experience.
The cabin remained comfortable throughout the flight. Being a relatively short route, the journey felt quick, but every moment was packed with natural beauty. I spent most of the time glued to the window, capturing the landscape with both my camera and my eyes.
As we descended towards Lahore, the temperature difference became strikingly obvious. We had been flying over the cold northern regions, and suddenly we were entering the warm plains of Punjab. The contrast was remarkable. This temperature shift symbolized the incredible geographical diversity we had just witnessed in just over an hour of flying.
The Airline: Honest Review
Pakistan International Airlines demonstrated solid operational excellence on this Skardu to Lahore route. The aircraft was well maintained and clean, with functional cabin amenities throughout the flight. What impressed me most was the punctuality and actually departing early, which is rare in Pakistani aviation. The crew was professional and attentive, keeping passengers informed about the route with interesting announcements about the geographical features below. The cabin service was adequate for a short one-hour flight, though there was limited food service during this brief journey. The airline clearly understands the unique selling point of this route: the spectacular aerial views of northern Pakistan. By providing real-time information about the regions being crossed, PIA added significant value to the experience. Seat comfort was reasonable for a short flight, though nothing extraordinary. Overall, PIA offers excellent value on this particular route because the experience transcends typical domestic aviation and becomes a scenic tour in itself.
Ratings
- Early departure instead of delay, showing excellent punctuality
- Spectacular aerial views of Himalayan and Karakoram ranges, Hindu Kush mountains, and northern Pakistan valleys
- Informative real-time announcements about geographical landmarks and regions during the flight
- Professional and attentive cabin crew throughout the journey
- Well-maintained aircraft with clean cabin facilities
- Unique experience covering almost half of Pakistan in one hour
- Minimal food service on this short route, though not unexpected for domestic flights
- Seat comfort is average and not particularly premium for the experience
The Verdict
If you want to experience the natural beauty of northern Pakistan while traveling domestically, this PIA flight is absolutely worth taking. It transcends regular aviation and becomes a scenic aerial tour. Book this route not just to reach Lahore, but to witness the stunning geography of your country from above.
