Direct Flights from the US by Kenya Airways to Start Soon (2017 Article – Current Status Update 2025)
The Original 2017 Announcement
In 2017, Kenya Airways announced plans to launch non-stop flights from New York (JFK) to Nairobi (NBO) starting October 2018 – the first direct US–East Africa route by an African carrier. This was big news for Tanzania-bound travellers, as most would connect seamlessly from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha (ARK) on Kenya Airways or partner Precision Air flights.
The promise: shorter travel times, no European layovers, and easier access to both Kenya and Tanzania safaris.
What Actually Happened – Update November 2025
The direct JFK–NBO route launched successfully on 28 October 2018 and has been operating ever since (with a brief pause during COVID).
Current status (2025/2026 schedule):
- Kenya Airways – Daily non-stop Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights JFK ↔ NBO (≈14h 45min eastbound, 15h 30min westbound).
- Connections to Tanzania – Same-day onward flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Julius Nyerere (DAR) with just 1–2 hour layovers in Nairobi.
- Other US direct options – Delta Air Lines now also flies daily Atlanta (ATL) ↔ Nairobi (NBO) since 2023.
This means travellers from the US can reach Arusha/Kilimanjaro in under 20 hours total – a huge improvement over the old 24–30 hour routes via Europe or the Middle East.
Why This Still Matters for Your Tanzania Safari
- Shorter, less tiring journeys = more energy for game drives
- Easier visa/transit in Nairobi (most nationalities get visa on arrival or e-visa)
- Competitive fares, especially when bundled with regional flights
Planning a US departure for your 2026/2027 Tanzania safari? We can include the best Kenya Airways (or Delta) connections in your quote – seamless from JFK or ATL straight to the bush!
WhatsApp +255 789 868 025 – let’s get you here faster!
(Updated November 2025 – original article from 2017)
The news that Kenya Airways can now start direct flights to the USA was met with great jubilation by the stakeholders in the Tourism Sector in Kenya and the Eastern African region at large. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was granted the Category one Status by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) after garnering 88 points above the required 80 points in security required to grant a hub that Category one status. One of the biggest beneficiary is of course Kenya Airways which has had its fair share of Aviation business instability in the recent past, due to first the world economic crisis, which was followed closely by terrorist attacks and then the final blow by the Ebola outbreak in the West Africa which almost saw the regional aviation giant down on its knees.
However it is not only Kenya Airways which will benefit with that permission to fly direct flights to the USA. Many companies among them KLM, Etihad, South African Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Fly Emirates, British Airlines and even the Delta Airlines from the US which flies only up to Europe can now breath a sigh of relief after Kenyan hub the JKIA was cleared by the aviation body. All these and many other flight companies can now operate flights from Nairobi Kenya to the USA.
Direct flights to the USA means that Kenya, Tanzania , Uganda and Rwanda which are the biggest players in the Tourism and African Safari arena, in the East African region can now be hopeful to tap the large American outbound market which is deemed untapped for a long time now. We at Tanzania Safari Desire for example are glad that our clients who would wish to do combined Kenya and Tanzania Safari packages and also those who would like to do just Tanzania Safari tours can easily fly into Nairobi where we can arrange connections for them into Kilimanjaro International Airport and ultimately take them to our most famous parks in East Africa, among them; Masai Mara Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park , Ngorongoro Crater and Selous Game Reserves.
We will keep you informed as soon as the first direct flights start from Nairobi to the USA and vice versa but until then please feel free to contact us whenever you wish to make a safari in Kenya and Tanzania or Tanzania Safari packages. We will be happy to see Direct Flights from the US by Kenya Airways to Start Soon.
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