Domestic Flights in Pakistan: Airlines, Routes and Fares

Domestic flights in Pakistan are run mainly by PIA, Airblue, Fly Jinnah and AirSial, and they cover the main cities in about one to two hours. PIA has the widest network by far, including Gilgit, Skardu and Chitral. Airblue and AirSial also fly to Skardu, and the low-cost carrier Fly Jinnah flies between the big cities. On the busy Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad routes, fares from about PKR 15,000 to 20,000 one way were listed on booking sites in 2026, and they rise sharply at peak times.

This guide covers who flies where, roughly what it costs, how baggage works, how to book, and what to expect when flying to the mountains. The airline landscape changes often, so check the airline's own page before you commit.

Which airlines fly domestic routes in Pakistan?

• PIA. The national carrier flies to about 25 domestic points, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Sukkur, Sialkot, Gwadar, Turbat, Chitral, Gilgit and Skardu. It is the only airline that serves Gilgit and Chitral on a regular schedule.
• Airblue. Flies between Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, and to Multan, Quetta and Skardu. It has dropped some routes in the past, including Peshawar and Sukkur.
• Fly Jinnah. A low-cost airline that began domestic service in October 2022. It serves Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta and Sialkot. It does not fly to the mountains.
• AirSial. Based at Sialkot, with domestic flights to Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Sialkot, Skardu, Sukkur and Multan.
• Serene Air. Listed as suspended, as its operations have been stopped by the aviation authority because of a lack of serviceable aircraft. Don't book it without checking it is flying.
• Newer names. Air Karachi and South Air have been announced or have started limited flying in 2026. Treat them as unproven until they show a stable schedule.

Route maps change with the season and with the airline's fleet, so use the airline's own destination page as the final word.

Main routes and how long they take

These are flying times only. Add 90 minutes at the airport on each end, and remember that Islamabad International Airport is well outside the city. Our Islamabad airport guide covers the ground transfer.

How much do domestic flights cost?

Booking sites in 2026 showed the cheapest one-way fares on the main routes at about PKR 15,000 to 20,000, with the higher end of the range on Karachi to Lahore (from about PKR 18,000 to 33,000 for the range of fares seen). Fares to Skardu and Gilgit vary more, with the lowest fares appearing in off-peak weeks.

Prices are dynamic. They rise around Eid, summer holidays, long weekends and the tourist season in the north, and they fall if you book several weeks ahead. Treat any number here as a rough guide, not a quote, and compare the total including taxes and baggage before paying.

Baggage

Most full-service fares list a checked bag of around 20 kg, sometimes as two pieces, according to booking listings. Low-cost fares are stricter, and Fly Jinnah's cheapest fares can be hand baggage only. The rule that matters is the one printed on your ticket, so check it at booking.

For trips to Skardu and Gilgit, think about weight. Trekking gear, camping equipment and winter clothing add up quickly, and excess baggage is charged per kilo. If you are carrying a lot, ask about the cost before you travel or consider sending the heavy items by road.

How to book

1. Choose your dates and route on the airline's own website or app, or on an agent such as Bookme or Sastaticket, which list several airlines together.
2. Compare the total price with baggage and any fees, not the headline fare.
3. Pay by card or mobile wallet, and keep the e-ticket and booking reference.
4. Check in online if available. PIA offers web and mobile check-in on selected domestic routes, opening 24 hours before departure and closing three hours before.
5. Arrive early. Domestic flights need you at the airport about two hours before departure for a comfortable start.

Refunds vary by airline and fare. PIA says that eligible web tickets can be refunded through its online booking page, while cheap fares are often non-refundable, so read the fare rules before you pay. For the equivalent process on a coach, see our guide to booking bus tickets online, and for hotels our hotel booking apps guide.

Flying to Skardu and Gilgit

The mountain flights are among the most scenic in the country, and also the least reliable. They fly in clear weather only, and cloud on the approach means cancellation, sometimes for several days in a row. If you are flying north:

• Keep a spare day on either side of your trip, and don't book a same-day connection or a hotel you can't change.
• Book a refundable or changeable fare if the option exists.
• Know your fallback. If the flight is cancelled, the alternative is a long road journey. Our guides on flights to Gilgit and Skardu and on what happens when northern flights are cancelled explain the options.
• Choose the right airport. See our note on the best airport for northern Pakistan.

We plan our own itineraries with a weather buffer for the same reason. You can look at our tours or plan page if you would rather have a trip built for you.

Flight, bus, train or car?

For long distances, flying is the fastest and often the best value once you count time. Karachi to Lahore takes about two hours in the air and 16 to 18 hours by road. For shorter runs, such as Lahore to Islamabad, the motorway bus is comparable in door-to-door time and much cheaper, and our Lahore to Islamabad by bus guide has the details. Fly when the distance is over 500 km or so, when you have limited days, or when you are travelling to the north and want to skip the long road.

Frequently asked questions