United Airlines has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch three weekly nonstop flights between Washington, D.C. and Cape Town, South Africa, from November 17, 2022.

If approved, United’s flights will become the first nonstop service ever between Washington D.C. and South Africa’s legislative capital, Cape Town, according to United’s Senior Vice President of International Network and Alliances, Patrick Quayle.

He said this long-overdue route will benefit important government-to-government connections and increase communication and commerce with a region that has strong cultural ties to South Africa.

“From creating new jobs, to supporting key civic and aid organizations, United has taken tremendous pride in growing our family and operations in South Africa, and across the African continent,” Quayle said.

“If awarded by the DOT, this historic nonstop service will significantly enhance travel options for consumers, strengthen ties between our countries legislative and diplomatic epicenters, and benefit thriving travel and tourism industries serving our respective countries.”

United’s proposed service would operate on 787-9 aircraft, maximised to meet consumer demand and benefit both U.S. and South African travelers, he said.

If approved, Quayle said the flights between Dulles and Cape Town will connect 55 cities across the United States to Cape Town, representing more than 90 percent of the entire U.S. travel demand to Cape Town.

“United’s Washington Dulles hub is a gateway to the nation’s capital and elsewhere, operating more than 230 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations around the world – including more than 10 world capitals and new service to Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria,” he said.

Quayle said United has worked diligently to develop an African network to promote competition and provide affordable and consistent service options for U.S. travelers and the service will supplement United’s existing flights to four cities in three countries in Africa.

United also maintains a close relationship with the Mandela Foundation and BPESA (Business Processing Enabling South Africa) a not-for-profit company that serves as the industry body and trade association for Global Business Services in South Africa.

United recently announced a collaboration with travel company Certified Africa. Certified Africa’s mission is to make travel to African countries easy, immersive, and life changing for millions of the African Diaspora across the United States.