The Kenya Airways has launched non-stop flights from Nairobi to New York. This marks a great milestone for the Company because many Kenyans living in the Diaspora can now frequently come back home.
The national carrier starts selling today tickets for the inaugural flight which is scheduled for October 28th this year.
Kenya Airways becomes the first airline to offer a non-stop flight between East Africa and the United States of America.
“This is an exciting moment for us. It fits within our strategy to attract corporate and high-end tourism traffic from the world to Kenya and Africa. We are honoured to contribute to the economic growth of Kenya and East Africa,” said Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Sebastian Mikosz.
The airline already serves Africa, Europe, Middle-East, Indian sub-continent and Asia. The opening of the US destination completes an essential piece for Kenya Airways’ network, cementing its position as one of the leading African carriers.
With over 40 American multinationals located in Nairobi and much more across Africa, the launch of daily flights is expected to further spur trade between America and Africa.
The flight Company says that it will offer its customers a unique travel experience between two great gateways and will be the fastest connection from East Africa to New York, with 15 hours duration eastbound and 14 hours westbound.
The ultra-long-haul flight, unique to Kenya Airways network, will require 4 Pilots and 12 Flight attendants as well as 85 tons of fuel each way, making it an exceptional operation.
The airline will operate its state of the art Boeing 787 Dreamliner with a capacity of 234 passengers. The flight will depart every day from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport hub in Nairobi at 23:25 arriving at JFK airport in New York at 06:25 the following day.
This convenient schedule will allow connections to and from over 40 African destinations through Kenya Airways hub in Nairobi.