United Airlines flies regularly to Cape Town
United Airlines will relaunch its service between New York and Cape Town in early June, and will now operate it all year round.
From June 5, 2022 subject to government approval, the American company will offer three flights per week between its base in Newark-Liberty and Cape Town airport, operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that can accommodate 48 passengers in Business class, 21 in Premium, 39 in Economy Plus and 149 in Economy. Departures are scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 8:30 p.m. to arrive the next day at 6:00 p.m., with return flights leaving South Africa on Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 8:50 p.m. to land the next day at 5:50 a.m.
United remains without competition on this line inaugurated in December 2019 and currently operated until the end of March 2022 as planned, before a return in early June. It should be remembered that on arrival it benefits from code sharing with Airlink, opening up to it more than 40 destinations in South Africa.
This new schedule means, according to the Star Alliance statement, that “more than 85 American cities – including places like Chicago, Houston, Washington DC and Los Angeles – will be more easily connected to one of the top 25 cities in the world. “.
“By offering flights to Cape Town all year round, we are making it even easier for our customers to visit one of the world’s top destinations,” said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network planning and alliances at United. “United’s direct flights from New York/Newark cut the typical journey time to Cape Town by more than five hours, giving visitors more time to enjoy the beauty and majesty of South Africa. South “.”
According to a 2022 Travel Trends Report from Expedia, more than two-thirds of Americans (68%) plan to go far on their next trip, and nearly a third plan to visit “a must-see destination” this year. . This resurgence in international travel is something South African tourism industry players are looking forward to. “This announcement brings 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.
After suspending its route to Johannesburg-OR Tambo in December 2019 (it was also offered by South African Airlines), United Airlines returned there in June 2021. It also inaugurated routes between Washington DC and Accra after eight years of absence in Ghana, as well as in the federal capital and Lagos after five years of absence in Nigeria.
United Airlines currently offers 74 international destinations from New York/Newark; it is launching other international new arrivals there this year, in particular Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife in Spain, the Azores in Portugal, Bergen in Norway, and of course Nice in France (daily flight from April 30).