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United Airlines plans to launch non-stop flights between Newark (New Jersey) and Cape Town (South Africa) in December.
This new route, which requires government approval, will be the first direct flight between North America and Cape Town and will mark the return of the airline to Africa after a three-year absence.
Travelers from the United States to Cape Town from an airline must currently stopover in Europe.
According to United, its new non-stop flight, aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, will save hours on passenger journeys to and from Cape Town. The flight to the south is scheduled for 14:30, return around 16 hours. At 7,817 miles, it will be the sixth longest route of the airline.
A United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner takes off from the Los Angeles International Airport in March 2017. (Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, special in the USA TODAY & # 39; HUI)
The wide-body jet will accommodate 252 passengers: 48 in Polaris business class, 88 in Economy Plus class and 116 in economy class, United said.
Patrick Quayle, vice president of United's international network, said the airline was adding Cape Town because it is the largest unserved destination between North America and Africa .
"We are focused on creating unique opportunities for our passengers," he said.
Newark-Cape Town will be the company's 22nd new international route in the last two years and the sixth new international point on its map. Other New destinations include Naples, Italy, and Prague and Porto, Portugal.
United plans to offer seasonal service in Cape Town, with three weekly flights from December 15 to March 15.
"If it goes well, we will grow it all year round, a bit like Tahiti," Quayle said.
Rates have not been announced. The lowest fare for a one-way flight from the metropolitan area of New York, with a stop in mid-December, is about $ 800, according to a search done on Google Flights.
Tickets for non-stop flights from United to Cape Town will go on sale as soon as the airline has received the necessary regulatory approvals. It's planned for May, Quayle said.
United last served Africa in 2016, removing flights between Houston and Lagos, Nigeria, due to the weak energy market and poor financial performance of the route. This makes Delta the only US carrier offering services to Africa. Delta serves several destinations in Africa, including Johannesburg, Lagos and Accra, Ghana.
Flight United from Newark to Cape Town
From Newark Liberty International Airport to Cape Town International Airport: Departure 20:30, arrival in Cape the next day at 18h. local hour.
Cape Town to NewarkDeparture: 20:50, arriving the next day at 17:45 local time.
Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2019/04/15/united-airlines-returning-africa-nonstop-flights-newark-and-cape-town-south- africa-boeing-787/3473230002 /
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