Ethiopian Airlines has announced plans to resume service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) beginning in June. The carrier has not operated flights to New York since 2004, when it focused on a nonstop route between Washington, D.C., and Addis Ababa.
The reinstated Addis Ababa (ADD)–New York (JFK) service will operate three times weekly, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Flights will include a brief scheduled stop in Lomé, providing links to West Africa. After arriving in Addis Ababa, passengers can connect to a wide range of destinations across East, Southern and Central Africa as well as the Middle East. ASKY Airlines, a partner of Ethiopian Airlines, will also enhance connectivity to additional West African cities.
Operations on the route will be flown with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, configured with 24 business-class seats and 246 economy-class seats, offering modern cabin comfort and long-haul capability for passengers traveling between Africa and the United States.
This route revival continues Ethiopian Airlines’ broader global expansion. In recent years the carrier has launched or relaunched services to major international destinations including Tokyo, Manila, Dublin, Los Angeles, Cape Town and Durban, reflecting its strategy to grow intercontinental connectivity.
“We are thrilled to resume our service to New York, our fourth destination in the Americas. New York is one of the world’s most economically powerful cities and including it in our ever expanding network will play a critical role in the expansion of trade, tourism and investment between the fast growing continent of Africa and the United States,” said Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
With the return to JFK, travelers between North America and Africa will benefit from increased schedule options, one-stop connections through Addis Ababa and expanded access to partner networks across the continent. The three-times-weekly service aims to serve business travelers, tourists and diaspora communities seeking reliable and efficient connections between the regions.
Passengers intending to book should check Ethiopian Airlines’ official site for schedules, fares and any entry requirements or travel advisories. The airline’s deployment of the fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner on this route is expected to provide a comfortable experience while supporting operational efficiency on long-haul sectors.