Social media trolls PIA over Paris flight ad

PIA’s Paris flight ad sparks humorous questions on social media over its unexpected design.

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Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed flights from Islamabad to Paris, and announced the news with an advertisement that has sparked a mixed feraction on social media.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PIA shared an image of a plane flying toward the Eiffel Tower, with the French flag appearing in the background.

However, the red portion of the flag next to the iconic landmark, along with the plane heading directly towards it. The imagery was considered by some social media users as problematic.

The image was accompanied by the message, “Paris, we’re coming today.”

Photo: @Official_PIA on X

Social media users quickly reacted to the post, with some expressing confusion and humor over the graphic design choices and wording, while many drew comparisons to imagery from the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

Photo: @ThisisOshaz_ on X

Photo: @zainab.hameed on Instagram

Photo: @Casualrao on Instagram

Photo: @brokebutimcute on X

This incident is not the first time PIA has faced scrutiny over its advertisements. Users on X also shared a controversial ad from the 1970s, which depicted the shadow of a PIA plane over the Twin Towers in New York City, a design that is now viewed as insensitive due to the tragic events of 9/11. While the ad was created well before the attacks, the context has made it a source of regret and controversy.

Photo: @Saikirankannan on X

Despite the criticism, PIA’s new flight route to Paris marks an important development for the airline, though the advertising misstep has certainly garnered attention.