Summary
- They’re all from United Airlines’ Newark and Washington Dulles hubs.
- Five African cities will likely be served.
- The carrier had no flights to the vast continent between July 2016 and November 2019.
United Airlines is a big non-stop operator between the US and Africa. While winter is far-off and things might change, it tentatively plans six African routes with a couple of fifth of all non-stop flights. Examining Cirium data shows that only Ethiopian Airlines (26%) and Delta Air Lines (23%) will likely be larger.
United to Africa
This winter, the Star Alliance member’s African network comprises the next six routes from its Newark and Washington Dulles hubs. That is the case as of March 21 and will change. Essentially the most significant development is the beginning of Marrakech, the primary time the ever-popular Morrocan city can have US flights.
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You will note just how recently many routes began or resumed. The pandemic spurred development, presumably resulting from the expansion within the importance of leisure and visiting friends and relatives markets.
Following the tip of Houston Intercontinental-Lagos, a route driven by oil and energy demand, in June 2016, United had no African routes until December 2019. How things have modified.
Normally I take advantage of each day or weekly flights, but that is on the month level. Source: Cirium. Figure: James Pearson
Route |
Flights from the tip of October |
Aircraft |
Comments |
Want flights? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Newark-Cape Town |
Three weekly |
787-9 |
Began in December 2019 and operated until March 2020, then restarted in December 2021 |
|
Newark-Johannesburg |
Each day |
787-9 |
Began in June 2021 |
|
Newark-Marrakech |
Three weekly |
767-300ER |
Starts on October 24 (see below) |
|
Washington Dulles-Accra |
Three weekly, but rising to each day |
787-8 |
Returned in May 2021, having operated until 2012 |
|
Washington Dulles-Cape Town |
Three weekly |
787-9 |
Began in November 2022 |
|
Washington Dulles-Lagos |
Three weekly |
787-8 |
Returned in November 2021, having operated until 2011 |
Photo: United
A fast have a look at Marrakech
While it will not be news, it’s value summarizing what is occurring with United to Morocco. Flights were announced in early March, becoming United’s fifth destination in Africa with its own metal. Until 2024, Marrakech had never had North American flights. Now, it is going to welcome United Air Transat (from Montreal).
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This provides some background info.
United’s three weekly services will begin on October 24 and use the 167-seat Boeing 767-300ER. These are its low-capacity machines with 46 Polaris seats, which like an infinite number for the route, which will likely be a mix of tourists and diaspora.
United primarily uses the 167-seater on high-premium routes, most regularly between Newark and London Heathrow. Routes also include higher-end leisure markets, including Newark to Nice this summer. It should be fascinating to see how the variant does in Morocco, although there are many luxury tours.
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Not surprisingly, booking data shows that NYC was by far Marrakech’s largest unserved North American market last 12 months, while Marrakech was NYC’s third-largest unserved African market, after Lagos and Algiers. In addition to this demand, United will goal those that travel to Marrakech from other North American cities, which totaled ~75,000+ passengers last 12 months.
Where else would you want United to fly in Africa? Tell us within the comment section.