United Airlines marks 5th anniversary of New York (Newark) - Johannesburg flights

United Airlines is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its non-stop flights between Johannesburg and its Newark/New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport. United originally launched its year-round daily service in 2021, becoming the first U.S. carrier to operate flights between Johannesburg and the U.S. East Coast. Since the launch, United has carried over 650,000 customers and 8,400 tonnes of cargo on more than 3,300 flights on this route.

United operates three nonstop services from South Africa: as well as Johannesburg to Newark/New York service, the airline also flies nonstop service between Cape Town and Newark/New York and between Cape Town and Washington D.C.

“We are proud to mark the fifth anniversary of flying between Johannesburg and Newark/New York,” said Amit Badiani, Head of Africa and Offline Sales, United Airlines. “As well as providing travellers from Gauteng with a convenient nonstop service to New York, our Johannesburg service offers the possibility to connect via our Newark hub to over 130 additional destinations across the Western Hemisphere, including Denver, Chicago, and Houston, whilst U.S. travellers can easily reach the greater Johannesburg metropole, the economic heartbeat of South Africa. Through our strategic codeshare and loyalty arrangement with Airlink and its central Johannesburg hub, we are also able to offer passengers seamless connections to an expanded network across Southern Africa.”

“United Airlines’ Newark-Johannesburg service is an important part of O.R. Tambo International Airport’s international connectivity, linking South Africa directly with one of its key global regions,” said Stephen Maphalla, Acting Regional General Manager, Airports Company South Africa. “Five years on, the route continues to support passenger growth, tourism, trade and cargo flows, while reinforcing our strategy to grow sustainable international connectivity.”

The Best Experience Across Every Cabin This Summer

As travellers gear up for the Southern Hemisphere summer, United is ready to deliver customers a best-in-class travel experience. Whether they are flying in United PolarisSM business class or United EconomySM, the airline continues to invest in onboard experiences and industry-leading technology designed to give travellers more comfort, convenience and flexibility throughout their journey, including:

• Starlink is complimentary for MileagePlusSM members in every class of service, and the airline expects to complete installations before the end of 2027.
• United continues to install seatback screens across its fleet – up to 1,000 aircraft before the end of 2027 – and is rolling out new airplanes with 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screens, the largest among U.S. carriers. Passengers can now access more than 2,500 hours of premium entertainment content including Apple TV, HBO Max, A24 and Spotify.
• More than 85% of United customers use the airline's award-winning mobile app on the day they travel, making digital tools an increasingly important part of how customers manage disruptions and navigate their journey.
• United is serving up a new era of inflight dining with chef-curated meals from its collaboration with Chef's Table, the brand behind the Emmy award-winning Netflix series. United Polaris business class travellers flying on select long-haul routes can enjoy thoughtfully crafted, multi-course menus designed by 11 different globally recognised chefs from four continents, including culinary icons like Chef Fariyal Abdullahi (Newark) - available for pre-order on long-haul flights from Newark/New York, including to Johannesburg and Cape Town, and Chefs Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy (Washington D.C.) - available for pre-order on long-haul flights from Washington Dulles, including to Cape Town. The menus will be available for pre-order on United’s award-winning mobile app.

Recent mobile app updates that help customers prepare for travel, navigate changes and stay informed include:

• Personalised connection support: United launched new, personalised app features that make catching connecting flights easier, including personalised, turn-by-turn directions to connecting gates with estimated walk times, real-time flight status updates, tips for longer layovers, and notifications powered by United's ConnectionSaver technology if the airline is able to hold a departing flight for those with an extra-tight connection.
• Bag tracking enhancements: United integrated Apple's Share Item Location, so customers everywhere who travel with an AirTag or Find My network accessory can seamlessly share the accessory location with United's customer service team to help locate their luggage in the event that it is misplaced or mishandled.
• Earlier Flight Standby Support: United’s latest industry-first mobile app feature allows customers who are rebooked to a later flight after a travel disruption stand by for up to three earlier flights*. Instead of repeatedly checking the app to see if seats open up on earlier flights, United automatically monitors availability behind the scenes and sends a text notification when a seat becomes available.

*Available for eligible earlier United flights to the same destination.

The United Travel Experience

United’s services from South Africa are operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring a total of 257 seats – 48 all-aisle-access flatbed seats in United Polaris business class, 21 United Premium PlusSM and 188 in economy, including 39 Economy PlusSM seats with added legroom and increased personal space.

The revolutionary design of the Dreamliner offers customers many features for increased comfort such as large windows, spacious overhead storage and modern LED lighting to simulate a full day, helping passengers adjust their internal clock on the long-haul flight. In addition, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and smoother ride help customers feel rested on arrival.

United Polaris business class is a premium travel experience that prioritises relaxation and comfort, featuring quality inflight dining, premium amenity kits and full flat-bed seats.

United Premium Plus features a spacious seat with more legroom, elbow room and recline than a standard Economy Plus or economy seat, as well as an amenity kit, Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and plush pillow.

United Economy Plus offers added legroom and increased personal space. Located near the front of the economy cabin, the seats give the added benefit of a swifter exit from the plane on arrival. Economy Plus seating is available on all trans-Atlantic flights.

United economy offers complimentary food, soft drinks, juices, beer and wine, tea, coffee and inflight entertainment. On most aircraft, seats feature an adjustable headrest and a personal on-demand entertainment system.

Johannesburg (JNB) – Newark/New York (EWR)

All times are local and are subject to change.