United Airlines will operate three nonstop flights per week between Cape Town and New York/Newark year-round. United is the only airline that flies nonstop between Cape Town and the United States. In December 2019, the airline began flying from Cape Town, and it has rapidly become one of the carrier's most popular foreign routes.

The increased number of flights on the route reflects American interest in visiting South Africa as a whole, particularly Cape Town, which many people include in their safari itineraries. The nonstop service during the summer vacations in the United States is a tremendous boon to South African and regional tourism. The expansion of the service, according to Bob Schumacher, United Regional Director of Sales, will improve the economic potential in both countries.

Bustracks Africa is thrilled with the development, which will assist hugely with easy access to both South Africa as well as the surrounding countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana.

The new schedule will begin on June 5 from New York/Newark to Cape Town and on June 7 from Cape Town to New York/Newark, with connections to over 85 US destinations. A Boeing 787-9 will be used on the route.

The schedule (subject to change) will be:

• From June 5 onwards: Flight UA 1122 departs Newark at 20h15 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Cape Town at 17h10 the following day.

• From June 7-11: Flight UA 1123 departs Cape Town at 19h50 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Newark at 05h30 the following day.

• From June 13 onwards: Flight UA 1123 on Mon/Thu/Sat departs Cape Town at 19h50 on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Newark at 05h30 the following day.