United Airlines Applies to Launch Washington - Cape Town Flights

(19 May 2022, 12:51 +07)  United Airlines has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for thrice weekly nonstop flights between Washington, D.C. and Cape Town, South Africa.

United's proposed Dulles - Cape Town service would begin 17 November 2022, and operate on 787-9 aircraft.

If approved, United's flights will become the first nonstop service ever between Washington D.C. and South Africa's legislative capital, Cape Town.

United Airlines B787-9 reg: N24974. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

The flights will also connect 55 cities across the United States to Cape Town, representing more than 90 percent of the entire U.S. travel demand to the city.

"From creating new jobs, to supporting key civic and aid organizations, United has taken tremendous pride in growing our family and operations in South Africa, and across the African continent," said Patrick Quayle, United's Senior Vice President of International Network and Alliances. "If awarded by the DOT, this historic nonstop service will significantly enhance travel options for consumers, strengthen ties between our countries legislative and diplomatic epicenters, and benefit thriving travel and tourism industries serving our respective countries."

The service will supplement United's existing flights to four cities in three countries in Africa and will allow customers to connect in Cape Town to other points in South Africa, and to other countries in the southern region of the African continent with its South African based partner Airlink and their Cape Town hub.

To South Africa, United currently operates flights between New York/Newark and Cape Town and Johannesburg.