For the first time since SAA ended its direct flight from Cape Town to Miami in 1999, Capetonians can look forward to being able to fly directly to the USA again.
On 15 April 2019, United Airlines put in an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to begin a new service between New York/Newark Liberty International New and Cape Town International Airport. According to a press release issued by the airline, ‘United plans to operate nonstop three-times weekly flights to Cape Town starting in December 2019’.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Image credit: United Airlines
The Cape Town route will initially be a seasonal one, running from December to March – the South African summer season. However, the company told USA Today that it would consider a year-round service if the demand was high enough. The flight will be operated on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that can carry 252 passengers and will reduce travel time from Cape Town by five or more hours.
The direct route is still subject to government approval.
Tim Harris, Wesgro CEO, said in the press release that this is a game-changer, as ‘North America was one of the largest unserved markets for Cape Town and the Western Cape, with the USA, ranked as the third-largest market for inbound passengers to Cape Town International Airport in 2017.’
