The flight can be done non-stop as its a B777-200LR, however the Americans insist that an extra security search is done, and PK chose MAN for this.
In some respects, you can't blame them!
The flight operates JFK-PAK non-stop on the way back, and the Pakistan-Canada route, which also used to stop at MAN, are now direct both ways, as the Canadians do not require extra checks.
Would be a long old flight nonstop, 15-16 hours westbound?
A bit like BOM-JFK-BOM on AI, is that still going?
Thanks a lot. So do the passengers have to get off for the extra search; and is the luggage also rechecked?
The passengers get off and get re-screened but I'm genuinely unsure if the luggage gets re-checked. Maybe someone else can confirm?
Since pax have to disembark and be rescreened anyway, a stop over at DUB or SNN would have advantages: USA pre-clearance. Perhaps PK uses MAN because it's already established there.