Budget airlines have made Gulf and Saudi travel from Pakistan more affordable, but the lowest advertised fare is rarely the final price. Here is how the main low-cost carriers compare once you add baggage and flexibility.
1. flydubai
flydubai sells Lite, Value and Flex fares. Lite includes a 7 kg hand bag but checked baggage is charged, and rebooking or cancellation is not permitted. Value includes 20 kg, with rebooking for AED 150 and cancellation for AED 200. Flex includes 30 kg with free rebooking and cancellation. Refunds are issued as a flydubai voucher.
2. Air Arabia
Air Arabia’s Basic fare has no checked bag and cancels to credit only. Value adds 20 kg and one free modification. Ultimate adds 30 kg, two free modifications and free cancellation to credit (cash refund for AED 200) up to 8 hours before departure.
3. Fly Jinnah
Pakistan’s Fly Jinnah uses Basic, Value and Ultimate fares. On domestic routes, Basic changes cost at least PKR 4,500 and cancellations are credit-only; Value includes one free change and a cash refund option for PKR 12,000; Ultimate includes two free changes.
4. flynas and flyadeal
On flights to and from Pakistan, flynas Light includes only a 7 kg cabin bag, Value includes 30 kg and Plus includes 2 × 20 kg. Changes cost SAR 350 (Light), SAR 150 (Value) or are free (Plus), and cancellations go to your Nas Wallet. flyadeal fares are non-refundable, and fly+ and flyMax cancellations become wallet credit.
5. SalamAir
SalamAir offers a Lite fare plus Saver, Value and Flexi bundles on its flights from Pakistan to Muscat. Value adds checked baggage and Flexi adds the most flexibility for date changes.
6. When low-cost makes sense
- Short trips with only hand luggage and fixed dates.
- One-way work travel where a single bag is enough.
- Avoid for Umrah families with heavy luggage or uncertain visa dates, unless you pick a bundle with baggage and changes.
Summary
Once baggage and flexibility are added, a full-service fare on Emirates, Qatar Airways, PIA or Saudia can cost about the same. Ask us to compare the total price, not just the headline fare.
BookMyFlight Travel Desk
Written by the ticketing and visa team at O.S Travel & Tours, Blue Area, Islamabad, which books flights, Umrah and visas for travellers across Pakistan. Read more guides on the O.S Travel blog.
