Some one was inspecting the passports and signing passport photocopies. I was surprised at this as despite asking PIA two days earlier if I need to take anything along I was told nothing was required. Luckily I had a copy of my passport. This chap claimed he was working on behalf of UK High Commission. I asked him that the high commission should ask PIA to state this on the e- ticket.
After about 45 minutes later, after telling off those with contacts jumping the queue, I managed to get to the desk. At the same time I was surprised that there was a shift change. The man at the check in left. Luckily the lady who replaced was faster at her job and very polite indeed. I immigration etc did not take too long and I went through at around 10'15.
Qatar A320 to Doha
Air Arabia A320 to Sharjah
Saudia A320 to Damman
PIA 772 AP-BGJ my ride to London
Shaheen 737-200s stored to the east of the airport. Other aircrafts have been moved since my last visit to Karachi
As I walked to the departure gates pre-boarding was announced. At about 10:45 people started boardiing. It was already 37C outside however inside the cabin was much hotter. The ground staff should fixed the generator/ air ducts etc. the cabin staff maintained that the air on will be on after the engine starts.
Water being served.
Emirates 777-300
Our push back was at 11:20- The Saudia A320 also departing
View of the international terminal while heading to the departure runway.
View of the domestic terminal. Note the smoke in the background. Rubbish was being burnt on the land adjacent to the airport approach road. Does rubbish not attract birds? CAA must know of this?
PIA 747-300
PAF base Faisal
However, I am writing this 2 hours into the fight and the temperature has I just the down to 30 C and a lot of people are complaining- and rightly so. The just came on the PA to announce the APU ( auxiliary power unit) broke down and the cabin temperature will go down to the set 22 C in about an hour.
During this time meal was served. Chicken qorma/ curry rice and curried vegetable . It was ok, however disappointed by the choice of desert, a dry sponge cake slice! Had to dunk it in my tea, which to my pleasant surprise was served with real milk and not creamer served on the inbound flight.
Snow covered mountains in Iran
I was surprised that after the meal they showed the passenger a video about etiquettes of how to sit on the seat and use of toilets. I hope people learn some manner from this
A knife drops into the toilet
Flying below the high clouds
Captain came around for a walk and. Heck the air conditioning. I had a brief chat with him .,.(Capt Mohamed Ayaz). He said the APU had to to fixed at 9 am but that was delay. However to depart on time he had to board us before the cabin cooled. Apparently. I heard that cabin temperature was also ver high. I guess with larger windows it would have been.
Approaching Black Sea coast of Bulgaria
Above Bucharest- Romania at 11585 m / 38000 ft
Two hours before arrival we were served afternoon tea. This included warn potato filled puff pastry, which was quite nice, chicken sandwiches and a cake slice. The sandwich I had the thinnest slices of bread which I don't mind but also the thinnest layer of chicken filling. Tea again was good.
[/URL]We started descent with about 25 minutes to go. Seat belt sign turned on, however no one took notice nor did the crew ask people to settle down for another 15 minutes.
Went into a holding pattern with 6 loops over north East London before lining up for finals and landing at16;07, 37 minutes behind.
While making our loops we passed a few other aircrafts including a Biman 777-300 and a BA A319. Could not capture all due to clouds but here is the BA aircraft.
London City Airport
Skyscrapers at Canary Wharf London
Virgin A340 (Virgin Sun G-VSUN)[
British Airways A320 that landed ahead of us.
Royal Jordanian 787-800 parked next to our gate.
Made a quick exit through the immigrations but my luggage took about 30 minutes to arrive.
Enjoy and thanks for viewing.
