United Airlines to Operate Cape Town Flights Year-Round

(14 Feb 2022)  United Airlines has unveiled plans to launch thrice weekly nonstop flights, year-round, between New York/Newark and Cape Town International Airport, subject to government approval.

United will operate the route with Boeing 787-9 aircraft with 48 lie-flat, United Polaris business class seats, 21 United Premium Plus seats and 39 seats in Economy Plus.

The new schedule is expected to commence on 5 June.

United Airlines Boeing 787-9 reg: N24974. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

"By offering flights to Cape Town year-round, we're making it even easier for our customers to visit one of the world's best destinations," said Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice president of international network planning and alliances. "United's direct flights from New York/Newark cut the usual travel time to Cape Town by more than five hours, giving visitors extra time to enjoy the beauty and majesty of South Africa."

According to Expedia's 2022 Travel Trends Report, more than two-thirds of Americans (68%) are planning to go big on their next trip, and nearly a third plan to visit a bucket-list destination this year. This resurgence in international travel is something those in the South African tourism industry are eagerly awaiting.

"This announcement provides much-needed relief to the tourism and hospitality sector in the Western Cape and will support economic recovery in the province," said Wrenelle Stander, CEO of Wesgro. "We welcome the news of this expansion and thank United Airlines for their commitment to serving this world-class tourism destination."

United first launched flights to Cape Town in December 2019, and it quickly became one of the airline's marquee international routes. The airline later built upon this success in Africa with the launch of flights between New York/Newark and Johannesburg in June 2021, new service between Washington D.C. and Accra, Ghana in May 2021 and between Washington D.C. and Lagos, Nigeria in November 2021.