Kenya Airways has launched a direct route connecting Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi with John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York — the first nonstop service between the two cities.
The service begins on October 28. Flights depart Nairobi at 11:35 p.m. and arrive in New York at 6:25 a.m. local time the following day, with return departures from New York at 12:25 p.m., landing in Nairobi at 10:55 a.m. the next day. The scheduled flight time is approximately 14 hours each way.
Kenya Airways will operate the route using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The aircraft features a business class cabin with 30 lie-flat seats, each offering a width of 31 inches and a pitch of 74 inches. The economy cabin provides 204 seats with an 18.5-inch width and a 32.2-inch pitch.
All seats are equipped with power outlets and individual in-flight entertainment systems. At present, the aircraft does not offer onboard Wi-Fi.
Baggage allowances for the route differ by cabin: business class passengers may check two pieces of luggage, each up to 70.5 pounds; economy passengers are permitted two pieces as well, with each piece limited to 50.7 pounds.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to be on the inaugural October 28 flight, occupying seat 1A.