United to launch first non-stop service between Washington D.C. and Cape Town

United Airlines is preparing to launch a new direct non-stop service between Washington Dulles Airport and Cape Town, the airline announced in a press statement.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) granted the airline three weekly direct flights, which will commence on November 17, 2022.

The airline has commenced ticket sales for its new non-stop service to Cape Town which will be operated by its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. However, the new route is still subject to approval by the South African Government.

Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, commented on the airline’s expansion in Africa.

“These new flights build upon our existing year-round New York/Newark to Cape Town service – together they’ll provide a near-daily pattern from the U.S. to Cape Town along with connectivity to the broader region through our Airlink partnership,” said Quayle in the statement.