I have a question regarding the airline route from ISB -> Calgary and it would be much appreciated if someone can answer this for me.
The Situation:
I recently received my PPR from LVO and i am thinking of booking tickets for the end of October from Islamabad to Calgary. Yes, i know that this might be a little premature but i'm hopeful that i'll get my PPR2 and visa before November (when my medical expires, inshallah). I've been searching for the most cost effective route possible from pakistan to calgary and after searching a little the following route seems to be the cheapest:
Islamabad to Abu Dhabi <Etihad Airlines>
Abu Dhabi to London <Etihad Airlines>
London to Calgary <American Airlines>
I know that this route is longer than PIA's, i also know this route is more hectic and i'm also aware that etihad will not allow me to take the maximum luggage possible but please understand that i'm simply looking for the most cost effective airline rather than the fastest one. If money was not an issue, i would have chosen to fly directly to Canada on Etihad or Qatar. I also think it would be a great experience to travel to Canada with my family via this route, its not like we'll be going to/from Canada every week.
My current calculation of this route :
750$ x 5 = 3750$ x 103Rs = Rs 386250 (Base cost)
100x5 = 500$ x 103Rs = Rs 51500 (cost of 1 extra 23KG bag of luggage per person)
Total Cost of route= 437750
Total cost of PIA's route (asked for travel agent) = 103500x5= 517500 RS
Please let me know if i'm missing anything here? Will i be charged for anything other than the extra bag (american airlines) and a the base ticket?
So my question is this. If i ignore the 27 hour journey and the fact that i'll have to change a flight in London and Abu Dhabi,
is there anything i should know about Etihad or American Airlines that would make this a bad decision? I've been searching all day on this forum and haven't seen many people go to Canada via this route, is there any reason behind this other than the length of the journey or the limitation on luggage?
Sorry for this long post and i would greatly appreciate any help.