United Airlines Plans to Operate Washington to Cape Town Service

United Airlines filed a new route between Washington and Cape Town with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in early March, supplementing the carrier’s Newark to Cape Town service.

United is requesting permission to operate three flights per week between Washington and Cape Town all year. If approved, the route would begin service on 17th November 2022, with the following schedule:

• Washington to Cape Town departs at 6:30 p.m. and arrives at 4:15 p.m. (+1 day).
• Cape Town to Washington, departing at 9:00 p.m. and arriving at 6:00 a.m. (+1 day).

United plans to employ a Boeing 787-9 aircraft with 257 seats for the service. 48 Polaris seats (business class), 21 Premium Plus seats (premium economy), 39 Economy Plus seats (extra legroom economy), and 149 economy class seats are included.

This would be United’s fifth African route, joining Newark to Cape Town, Newark to Johannesburg, Washington to Accra, and Washington to Lagos. According to United, Washington to Cape Town is the most popular nonstop route between the United States and South Africa.

Patrick Quayle, United’s SVP of International Network & Alliances, summarizes the airline’s plans for this service as follows: “From creating new jobs, to supporting key civic and aid organizations, United has taken tremendous pride in growing our family and operations in South Africa, and across the African continent. If awarded by the DOT, this historic nonstop service will significantly enhance travel options for consumers, strengthen ties between our countries legislative and diplomatic epicenters, and benefit thriving travel and tourism industries serving our respective countries.”