History Made As Kenya Airways Makes First Direct Flight to U.S.

Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner finally left the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for New York City, USA, in a historic flight in Kenya’s aviation industry.

The plane left the airport at exactly 11.20pm, although it had been scheduled to leave at 10.45pm.

President Uhuru Kenyatta led senior government officials who arrived at the airport to bid farewell to the inaugural direct flight from Kenya to the US.

Foreign Affairs CS Monicah Juma led the government delegation aboard the flight.

Several choirs entertained guests before its departure. Security was tight at the airport throughout Sunday evening to ensure no mishap arose.

Speaking shortly before the departure, President Kenyatta said that the direct flights will open up Kenya to the rest of the world.

“These flights are set to provide a seamless experience for business and leisure travellers alike. It will allow the world to taste Kenya’s diverse cultures and hospitality,” he said.

The plane had 234 passengers on board. It was a big milestone in the flight history between the two countries, as normal flights from Kenya to the US takes up to 22 hours in a distance of 13,713km between Nairobi and New York.

However, passengers would now save up to seven hours, as this flight would take 15 hours only.

Currently, only eight African countries have direct flights to the US. These countries include Senegal, Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Cape Verde.

The charges for the new flight range between Sh89,900 return ticket for an economy class, while the same cost Sh260,000 for a business class.

And diverting from the normal flights, the plane will have four pilots, and 12 attendants.

The plane will consume 85,000 litres of fuel in a one-way trip.

The adoption of the 787-8 Dreamliner for the flight is its unique make. According to its features, on the manufacturer’s website, among its ideal features is its great comfort.