Apr 15, 2019, 2:02 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
]United Airlines Preparing New Nonstop Seasonal Service Between New York/Newark and Cape Town, South Africa
United's new nonstop service will save customers nearly eight hours of travel time roundtrip between New York and Cape Town
CHICAGO, April 15, 2019
United Airlines today applied with the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to begin new service between New York/Newark Liberty International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. United plans to operate nonstop three-times weekly flights to Cape Town starting in December 2019.
"We are always looking at ways to expand our industry-leading international route network to offer our customers more convenient options. We're thrilled to announce the addition of Africa to our global route offering," said Patrick Quayle, United's vice president of International Network. "
This new flight will provide customers with the only nonstop service between the United States and Cape Town." United's nonstop service between New York/Newark and Cape Town will decrease the current travel time from New York to Cape Town by more than four hours and provide customers from more than 80 U.S. cities with easy one-stop access to Cape Town. If approved, United's service between New York/Newark and Cape Town will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 48 seats in United Polaris business class, 88 seats in United Economy Plus and 116 seats in United Economy.
United's new nonstop service will save customers nearly eight hours of travel time roundtrip between New York and Cape Town
CHICAGO, April 15, 2019
United Airlines today applied with the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to begin new service between New York/Newark Liberty International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. United plans to operate nonstop three-times weekly flights to Cape Town starting in December 2019.
"We are always looking at ways to expand our industry-leading international route network to offer our customers more convenient options. We're thrilled to announce the addition of Africa to our global route offering," said Patrick Quayle, United's vice president of International Network. "
This new flight will provide customers with the only nonstop service between the United States and Cape Town." United's nonstop service between New York/Newark and Cape Town will decrease the current travel time from New York to Cape Town by more than four hours and provide customers from more than 80 U.S. cities with easy one-stop access to Cape Town. If approved, United's service between New York/Newark and Cape Town will be operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 48 seats in United Polaris business class, 88 seats in United Economy Plus and 116 seats in United Economy.
Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa and the country's center of trade and commerce. Located at the shore of Table Bay, the city is home to some of the most popular attractions in South Africa including Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Travelers to South Africa often begin their African journey in Cape Town before touring the Cape Winelands, viewing the African penguins at Boulder Beach or traveling beyond Cape Town to explore South Africa's natural beauty including its many national parks, game reserves and beautiful coastlines and beaches of the KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces.
26 April 2019
Update: APPROVED ^
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...flight-457638/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...flight-457638/
Best Routing for UA flyer (Paid/Miles) to South Africa (JNB, CPT, ...)[Consolidated]
UA to launch Seasonal EWR-CPT - 3x Weekly year-round starting 5 June 2022
Apr 15, 2019, 9:11 pm
#78
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 169
Having just flown to CPT via FRA, I would have loved this less-indirect routing via EWR instead. Cape Town is a beautiful city with loads of appeal. I think this will be a competitive route for UA by avoiding the need to stop in JNB, instead going straight to the main attraction in South Africa. Super excited for this addition to the international route map!
Apr 15, 2019, 9:54 pm
#79
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
DL has to weigh limit with a 772LR, which is a more capable A/C than the 789. Combo of range and high/hot airport at JNB. The 789 could do EWR-JNB, but no way they could take off with enough fuel at JNB to make it to EWR on the way back.
Apr 15, 2019, 10:29 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
If you can ticket it on a single PNR, yes. However, I think you're going to find that to be extremely expensive to do, if it's even possible. (Of course, it can be done as part of a RTW itinerary).
Indeed.
Indeed.
Apr 15, 2019, 11:52 pm
#84
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
Apr 16, 2019, 1:24 am
#85
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta 1MM, Delta SM, United Silver, Amx Plat, Delta Amx Plat, Six-T Plat, IHG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 590
OMG I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited about this!!! CPTflyer, to answer your question, YES there was a n/s btwn the US and CPT at one time. The very first time I went to SA in 2001 I booked ticket on DL and I think the flight was on SAA metal, I think it was an A340 or B747 as I recall but yes, it used to operate from ATL-CPT. SO excited to see this and no longer need to transit JNB to get to SAA. I'd be doing flips if I wasn't at work right now. LOL!
Apr 16, 2019, 6:57 am
#86
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
I would assume that UA lacked an A/C that could do EWR-JNB, was this an add because it was possible (with the 789) and UA is hoping that they can make it work even w/o much paid business J (hoping to capture some of the current traffic connecting)? I certainly hope the route works out, and credit UA with some out-of-the-box thinking in this move.
DL has to weigh limit with a 772LR, which is a more capable A/C than the 789. Combo of range and high/hot airport at JNB. The 789 could do EWR-JNB, but no way they could take off with enough fuel at JNB to make it to EWR on the way back.
DL has to weigh limit with a 772LR, which is a more capable A/C than the 789. Combo of range and high/hot airport at JNB. The 789 could do EWR-JNB, but no way they could take off with enough fuel at JNB to make it to EWR on the way back.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 16, 2019 at 11:56 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Apr 16, 2019, 8:54 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
The USA-RSA agreement does not appear to preclude adding a second carrier on a given route. I suspect the reason is the altitude at JNB, which limits the allowable takeoff weight substantially, resulting in the necessary addition of a fuel stop for any equipment that UA has in its fleet.
Apr 16, 2019, 9:07 am
#90
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Having just flown to CPT via FRA, I would have loved this less-indirect routing via EWR instead. Cape Town is a beautiful city with loads of appeal. I think this will be a competitive route for UA by avoiding the need to stop in JNB, instead going straight to the main attraction in South Africa. Super excited for this addition to the international route map!
In addition, the arrival time in the evening makes onward connections pretty infeasible the same day (only the SA JFK-JNB flight allows this, with late am NY departure and early morning JNB arrival)
Last edited by drewguy; Apr 17, 2019 at 2:36 pm