It’s now easier than ever to get to Africa! The first question often asked by those planning a trip to Africa is - are there flights to Africa from the USA? Well the easy answer is yes - there are direct flights to Kenya as well as South Africa from the USA.
Before these new routes arrived, most flights from the US to Africa involved a long layover in Europe or the Middle East. But now, safari travelers on a time crunch have more great time-saving options to choose from.
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Direct Flight Options from the USA
New York has non-stop links to Nairobi in Kenya, (with Kenya Airways, who operate a daily direct 13½ hour flight from JFK, and who have a vast onward network to all areas of Africa), and to both Johannesburg & Cape Town in South Africa, (operated by United from Newark, with the journey taking a little over 14hrs).
Direct flights to South Africa from the USA are available from Atlanta with Delta Airlines, who serve Johannesburg & Cape Town non-stop whilst United Airlines are the only carrier to offer a direct service between Washington Dulles and Cape Town, perfect for those on the East Coast planning a trip to South Africa.
Read also: Navigating Ethiopian Airlines
Domestic connections to New York, Atlanta & Washington will allow the American traveller heading for Kenya or South Africa the chance to hop onto one of the direct services, but for those bound for other parts of Africa, the options are many!
Benefits of Direct Flights
The massive benefits of flying directly from the USA to Africa - less journey time, less stress, less hanging around, less chance of missed connections or lost luggage - should never be dismissed, but with relatively few non-stop options, for many it will mean taking at least a one-stop trip.
One-Stop Options via Africa’s Oldest Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines, one of Africa’s oldest and most respected airlines, fly directly from Newark, JFK, Washington, Atlanta and Chicago to their hub in Addis Ababa, from where they offer the continent’s largest range of destinations, making it simple to travel from the USA to countries normally considered as difficult-to-reach; Namibia, Botswana & Malawi.
Being a Chicago girl myself, I’m super excited for this route, especially since I’m actually flying it next year! By connecting in Addis Ababa, I can get all the way to Nairobi in just over 17 hours (compared to my usual overnight stay in Europe). And since it’s quite easy to get around the Addis Ababa airport, you only need a minimal connection time.
Ethiopian Airlines is also flying a new Dreamliner on this route, so expect less jet lag, better sleep, and an overall improved experience.
Read also: EGYPTAIR Baggage Allowance Explained
Flights via the Middle East
The Middle East is an area where American Afro-philes should seriously consider travelling through. A region that is home to some of the world’s best airlines, it is also blessed with a vast number of flights to Africa, with things really set up to make it as easy as possible for the transit passenger.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, regularly voted the World’s leading airline, lead the way service-wise, with Doha airport offering a simple, easy-to-transit, one-terminal airport. The airline connects US destinations as varied as Seattle, San Francisco & Los Angeles on the West Coast, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston & Miami in the south, and Washington, Boston & JFK on the East Coast, with African hotspots as varied as Rwanda, Uganda, Zanzibar and Mozambique. This is a one-stop journey from the US to Africa with no added drama.
Emirates
Running Qatar Airways a very close second are Emirates, whose simple-to-use Dubai base is linked to 14 major US cities, as well as a myriad of African destinations, from Kenya & Tanzania in the east, to Zimbabwe & Zambia further south, and the Indian Ocean hotspots of Mauritius and the Seychelles. Flying with Emirates also allows the intrepid the chance to spend a few days en-route enjoying the many attractions of Dubai - from dune-bashing in the desert to world-class dining and shopping.
Turkish Airlines
With thoughts of making the most of an en-route stopover, consider travelling with Turkish Airlines and breaking your journey where east meet west, in exotic Istanbul. Turkey’s national carrier links major American cities such as Chicago, New York, LA, Dallas, Atlanta & Washington with African destinations spread far and wide - from South Africa & Mozambique down south right up to Tanzania & Kenya. The Grand Bazaar together with the Great Migration would make for a mighty vacation!
Flights via Europe
Flights to Africa from the USA can follow many routes - Europe has always been a great drawcard for the American traveller, and those travelling to Africa can make an easy stop there on the way, creating a truly memorable two-continent adventure.
Read also: The story of Kenya Airways
Air France
Lovers of Paris who are planning a trip to Africa should plump for the services of Air France. Flying from most major US cities, plus a number of smaller ones such as Denver & Raleigh Durham, the canny traveller can spend time in the City of Light before continuing onward to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius or even Madagascar. Just imagine combining the Moulin Rouge with the Masai Mara!
KLM
Vacation time can also be enjoyed in Amsterdam for those flying with the Dutch national carrier KLM. Serving a number of secondary US cities including Portland, Salt Lake City, Austin, Minneapolis and Las Vegas, the airline is known for their extensive network of African routes, particularly in the east, with Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Rwanda all served. Why not follow Van Gogh with the Volcanoes National Park?
British Airways & American Airlines
Finally we have the UK & its capital city London which, thanks to the joint One World operations of British Airways & American Airlines, is linked to pretty much every major city stateside. Those opting to break their African trip with some downtime in London can then fly onwards from Heathrow airport directly to South Africa, Kenya & Mauritius. preferred airline.
Other African Destinations
Flights to Algeria mark the start of an adventure. Be first to experience stunning beaches, vast landscapes, and a warm welcome.
- Angola: Savvy travelers who choose flights to Angola get to see one of the world’s most intriguing travel destinations begin to thrive.
- Côte d'Ivoire: Flights to Côte d'Ivoire will satiate your craving for adventure-whether you go for vibrant nightlife, stunning nature, or both.
- Egypt: Flights to Egypt let you walk the banks of the Nile and behold the pyramids, one of mankind’s greatest achievements.
- Ethiopia: Book flights to Ethiopia and prepare to immerse yourself in a country like no other. Ethiopia’s dramatic landscapes are mesmerizing.
- Ghana: Book a flight to Ghana to experience a diverse travel destination with grand history, beauty, and an abundance of wildlife.
- Guinea: Flights to Guinea introduce you to dramatic shorelines with tranquil vistas.
- Kenya: Flights to Kenya, one of Africa's most popular destinations, won't disappoint. Kenya’s great outdoors and pulsating nightlife are intoxicating.
- Madagascar: Look forward to an adventurer’s dream on the island of Madagascar, with mountains, rainforests, diverse wildlife and a beautiful Indian Ocean coastline.
- Mauritius: Some of the best beach vacations in the world start with flights to Mauritius, where time stands still.
- Morocco: Flights to Morocco provide a heady dose of culture, with enchanting streets, traditions, and shopping experiences to remember.
- Nigeria: Flights to Nigeria allow you to explore a diverse cultural and geographical landscape in buzzing Lagos.
- Senegal: Flights to Senegal unlock some of West Africa’s best beaches, breathtaking natural wonders, and retail therapy options.
- South Africa: Now is the time to book flights to South Africa.
Tips for Finding the Best Flights
Travelmath provides an online direct flight finder to help you determine whether there is a non-stop flight to your destination. Nonstop flights can be faster, since they don't require you to change planes or stop at a connecting airport. However, sometimes you can't find any non-stop flights between two cities. In that case, you may want to search for a direct connection that goes through an airline's hub. You can use the flight search engine on this site to find the best airline routes for your trip.
Use Flight Search Engines to Find the Best Routes
Additional Information
Restrictions | Advertised fares are based on real-time itinerary pricing available at delta.com. SkyMiles | SkyMiles program members are eligible to earn miles on most flights. Tickets booked in Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) are not eligible to earn miles in the SkyMiles Program or earn towards Medallion Status. Booking Travel | Basic tickets are non-refundable - they do not include a seat assignment until after check-in and are not eligible for paid or complimentary upgrade/Preferred Seat options. Seat configuration and amenities may vary depending on route, aircraft type and size.
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tags: #Africa
