United Airlines Kicks-Off New Nonstop Between New York and Johannesburg

United Airlines has officially launched its newest nonstop.

In partnership with South Africa Tourism, United just recently celebrated its new nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and O/R/ Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

The flight, which operates on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offers daily service that leaves Newark at 8:45 p.m. and arrives in South Africa at 5:45 p.m. the next day. Aside from the 116 seats in United Economy, the jets will also feature 48 United Polaris business class seats and 88 United Economy seats.

The addition gives United more service to South Africa from the U.S. than any other carrier.

In a statement, South African Tourism North America president Jerry Mpufane said that the service fulfills a promise that was made during the pandemic.

“We promised travelers that South Africa would be waiting for them once travel could safely resume and in partnership with United Airlines, we are not only delivering on that promise, but we are making the journey to South Africa easier and more accessible than ever before,” he said.

South Africa is currently ranked at Level 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the same level as France, Mexico, Canada, and other countries. The CDC just recently downgraded South Africa, along with more than 130 other countries, in its most recent COVID-19 advisory update.

The downgrade, which also means that South Africa is no longer listed as “do not travel” by the CDC, is good news for the country as the U.S. is one of the key source markets for South Africa.