The cost of an airline ticket from Pakistan to the USA can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick overview of the typical price range and some of the key considerations that impact flight costs.
Quick Answer
On average, economy class tickets from Pakistan to the USA cost between $800-$1500 roundtrip. First/business class tickets range from $3000-$7000 roundtrip. Prices fluctuate frequently based on season, airline, demand, and more.
Main Factors Affecting Flight Costs
There are several key factors that impact the price of flights from Pakistan to the USA:
- Airline – Full service airlines like PIA, Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways tend to be more expensive. Budget airlines like Airblue are cheaper.
- Class of Service – First and business class seats are significantly more expensive than economy seats.
- Season/Date – Flights tend to be most expensive during peak summer travel season and around major holidays.
- Advance Purchase – Tickets tend to get more expensive closer to the travel date. Booking early typically saves money.
- Layover Cities – Direct itineraries are often more expensive. Connecting flights with layovers can reduce costs.
Average Ticket Prices by Airline
Here is an overview of average economy roundtrip fares from Pakistan to the USA on some major airlines:
| Airline | Average Price (Economy) |
|---|---|
| PIA | $900-$1200 |
| Emirates | $1000-$1500 |
| Etihad | $900-$1400 |
| Qatar Airways | $1000-$1600 |
| Turkish Airlines | $800-$1200 |
| Airblue | $700-$1100 |
As you can see, full service Middle Eastern and European carriers tend to be more expensive, while Turkish and Pakistan’s own Airblue offer cheaper average fares.
Average Prices by Travel Season
Airfare prices also fluctuate significantly depending on the time of year you wish to travel:
| Season | Average Price (Economy) |
|---|---|
| Peak (June – August) | $1200-$1600 |
| Shoulder (March – May, September – November) | $900-$1300 |
| Off-Peak (December – February) | $700-$1100 |
As expected, traveling during peak summer months yields the highest average ticket prices. Prices drop down on average during the fall and spring shoulder seasons, and are cheapest in the winter off-peak season.
Routes and Layovers
The cheapest flights from Pakistan to the USA often have one or more stops along the way. Some example routes and average prices:
| Route | Stops | Average Price (Economy) |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi to New York | Direct | $1200-$1600 |
| Islamabad to Houston via Doha | 1 stop | $900-$1300 |
| Lahore to Los Angeles via Istanbul | 1 stop | $800-$1200 |
| Peshawar to San Francisco via Dubai and London | 2 stops | $700-$1000 |
Direct itineraries are almost always most expensive. Flying indirect with one or more stops, often in the Middle East or Europe, generally reduces the price on average by $200 or more roundtrip.
Airport Options
There are four major international airports in Pakistan that offer regular flights to the US – Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar. Prices do not vary too significantly between these airports.
In the US, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, and San Francisco are the most common destinations. Again, pricing does not vary too much between these cities. However, smaller regional US airports are sometimes cheaper to fly into.
Recommendations for Finding Cheap Flights
Here are some tips for getting the best deals on airfare from Pakistan to the United States:
- Book at least a few months in advance if possible.
- Be flexible with your travel dates – departing mid-week is often cheaper.
- Fly indirect – consider options with one or more stops when searching.
- Avoid peak summer travel season if you can.
- Check both US and Pakistan based airlines – some offer reciprocal codeshares.
- Compare prices across multiple booking sites – Expedia, Orbitz, PIA’s site etc.
- Consider booking separate one-way tickets – sometimes this is cheaper than a roundtrip.
Being flexible and doing extensive research well in advance typically results in finding lower priced airfare to the USA. Signing up for price alerts and sale notifications is also recommended.
Conclusion
A typical economy class airline ticket from Pakistan to the United States costs between $800-$1500 roundtrip on average. First and business class fares range from $3000-$7000. Many factors like airline, travel dates, seasons, booking time in advance impact prices significantly. Finding cheap fares requires flexibility, research, and booking early if possible. Following tips like avoiding peak summer travel, considering indirect routings, comparing multiple airlines, and checking alternate regional US airports can help minimize costs.
