United to inaugurate its first-ever service to Africa in 2010

[NewsRoom]

United to inaugurate its first-ever service to Africa in 2010


United Airlines announced the airline will inaugurate its first-ever service to Africa in 2010, with one daily, same-plane service from Washington to Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria.

The airline also will extend its existing daily Washington-Kuwait flight to include Bahrain, and will offer a new non-stop flight between Chicago and Brussels, Belgium. Introduction of all of the new services is subject to government approval.

“Our first-ever non-stop service to Africa will offer customers convenient and comfortable travel opportunities to visit two of the fastest-growing cities in the continent,” says Kevin Knight, senior vice president of planning. “In addition, our new services to Bahrain and Brussels will open more international routes to our customers throughout Europe and the Middle East.”

The new routes are consistent with the 2010 capacity outlook United provided on its third quarter earnings conference call, and reflect the continuing optimization of United’s international network. Daily non-stop service from Washington Dulles to Accra, the capital of the west African nation of Ghana, begins on May 2. The flight will continue from Accra to Lagos, Nigeria. The return flight will operate from Lagos to Accra and Washington. The flights, which will be available for sale this fall, will be operated by Boeing 767 aircraft.

“I am delighted that United Airlines, a global leader in the airline industry, has demonstrated the economic wisdom to expand its routes to include destinations in Africa,” said U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois. “African economies are among the fastest growing in the world, registering nearly six percent overall economic growth in 2007, the highest in 20 years. United’s new routes are an important element in advancing the mutual trade interests of the United States and Africa and I am encouraged by the prospects for enhanced economic prosperity for the three nations.”

[-el-]

I have heard rumours that UA also eyes JNB as a possible destination.

[Gatvol]

After Blackadders tale it pisses me off someone from here is even thinking of Nigeria or Ghanna. Ran into a couple of new migrants from Ghana the other day, waiting tables in a restaurant Green Cards and all. WTF are the Americans thinking.
Anyway if United (one of our worst carriers) decides to go to Nigeria and Ghana, it will be cattle hauling. Delta goes to JNB and that is tourism. Way to go Delta........

[C185]

Originally Posted by -el-

I have heard rumours that UA also eyes JNB as a possible destination.

Wonder why, they will go into direct competition with SAA who code shares with them. Or will SAA be leaving IAD and give that route to UA?

Also, why doesn't SAA fly to EWR now that CO is a Star member? It will open so much more options from EWR than JFK. Or is there something else I'm not understanding?

[Gatvol]

As a traveler who has to go through Europe occasionally I try and avoid both JFK or EWR. Scheduling nightmares at either.
From travel to SA , now that the 777 is doing well with Delta, It would be nice to see another carrier come into MIA, DFW or IAH. Transfering from either would be much easier. Dont know if range would affect DFW or IAH from JNB. Im sure someone here will be quick to correct any mistake.

[-el-]

Originally Posted by C185

Wonder why, they will go into direct competition with SAA who code shares with them. Or will SAA be leaving IAD and give that route to UA?

If these rumours are true, they might go from ORD (which is UA hub after all).

[C185]

Originally Posted by -el-

If these rumours are true, they might go from ORD (which is UA hub after all).

That would make sense since SAA wanted to start that route but never could get it going.

I would love if AA or some airline would start a Miami - JNB direct route.

[Carrier]

It should be obvious that the logical first stop in the USA for flights from SA should be in the south east of the country. Those heading to destinations in the south east of the USA and just beyond can then easily reach their destinations. Others can take onward connections to the north or west of the country. It is dumb to take pax past their destinations to somewhere in the north or midwest of the USA and then make them travel back to the destinations they have just passed. That was why SAA used to fly to Miami.
Is common sense and customer service completely absent from the current airline industry?

[Gatvol]

Is common sense and customer service completely absent from the current airline industry?

Yes

[-el-]

Originally Posted by Gatvol

Yes

Indeed.

....but in case of UA (or any other US carrier for that matter) it would only make sense to fly to one of their hubs. Point to point traffic between JNB/CPT and MIA would be somewhat limited. So for UA that would be IAD or ORD. DEN would be another option although that would involve flying considerable distances back to the East Coast for those passengers with final destination there. The other two UA hubs, LAX and SFO, would be out of the question for operations to/from SA.