Delta Air Lines and Kenya Airways are expanding their strategic partnership by adding Kenya Airways’ nonstop flight between Nairobi and New York JFK, effective August 5, 2023. The partnership extension also provides customers with more travel opportunities within the U.S. and Africa, with 31 additional single-connection destinations in Africa and 57 others in the U.S. and Canada.
In addition to direct service and expanded connectivity options, Delta SkyMiles members and Kenya Airways Asante Reward members can also earn miles with this upgrade. Tickets can be purchased through both carriers’ websites, as well as through regular channels, including travel agencies.
«At a time when we are seeing unprecedented demand for travel between North America and Africa, expanding our strategic partnership with Kenya Airways offers our customers more travel options, as well as supporting our priority of deepening our presence across the African continent,» said Alain Bellemare, Delta’s International President.
The signing ceremony for the agreement between Delta Air Lines and Kenya Airways was attended by Perry Cantarutti, SVP – Alliances & International (Delta); Alain Bellemare, President – International (Delta); Peter Carter, EVP – External Affairs (Delta); Allan Kilavuka, Group MD & CEO (Kenya Airways), Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial & Customer Officer (Kenya Airways); Michael Joseph, Chairman Kenya Airways PLC and Allan Kilavuka, CEO of Kenya Airways PLC.
This new expansion will optimize air connectivity between Africa and the United States, as well as provide Kenya Airways’ product directly through its U.S. partner.
«The codeshare expansion is historic, as it not only allows KQ to expand its footprint in the U.S., offering seamless one-ticket connectivity to those traveling for business, leisure or study. It also offers seamless connectivity to those visiting Africa for similar reasons via JFK to KQ’s hub at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),» said Allan Kilavuka, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways PLC.
Kenya Airways currently has a daily flight schedule between Nairobi and New York JFK. Delta operates nonstop services between Africa and the United States from 2026, where it currently has flights to Accra (Ghana), Dakar (Senegal), Cape Town and Johannesburg (South Africa) and Lagos (Nigeria).
Kenya Airways flight schedule to New York JFK
- Nairobi – New York JFK Flight KQ 002 NBO 23:35 – JFK 07:35+1 daily flights.
- New York JFK – Nairobi Flight KQ 003 JFK 13:45 – NBO 10:30+1 daily flights.
The route is operated by Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 234 seats in two classes (30 Business Class/204 Economy).
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