Kenya Airways starts ticket sales for its non-stop daily flight to New York

National carrier Kenya Airways has become the first  airline to start offering direct flights from East Africa to New York. The airline, which  already serves Africa, Europe, Middle-East, Indian sub-continent and Asia started selling tickets today for the inaugural flight which is scheduled for October 28th this year

According to Kenya Airways, the opening of the US destination completes an essential piece for the company’s network, cementing its position as one of the leading African carriers. With over 40 American multinationals located in Nairobi and many more across Africa, the launch of daily flights is expected to further spur trade between America and Africa.

“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 honored to contribute to the economic growth of Kenya and East Africa.” said Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO Sebastian Mikosz.

The flight will be the fastest connection from East Africa to New York, with a 15 hours duration eastbound and 14 hours westbound.  Kenya Airways says the ultra-long-haul flight, unique to the airline’s 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. From New-York it will depart at 12:25 landing at JKIA at 10:55 the following day. Its duration will be 15 hours east bound and 14 hours west bound.

This convenient schedule will allow connections to and from over 40 African destinations through Kenya Airways hub in Nairobi.