Monday, August 26, 2024 United Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its service between Washington Dulles International Airport and Nigeria’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport, located in Lagos, Africa’s most populous city. Starting from December 4, 2024, through February 14, 2025, United will increase its flights from three times per week to daily service. This change marks a substantial boost in connectivity, reflecting United’s commitment to enhancing its presence in the African market.
With this expansion, United Airlines will operate six routes to four African countries: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Morocco. This development sets a new record for United’s operations on the continent. The daily flights between Washington Dulles and Lagos signify a 133% year-over-year increase in available seats on this route.
This move also positions United as a strong competitor to Delta Air Lines, which also offers nonstop flights from the United States to Lagos. United Airlines initially launched its Washington-Lagos route in 2021, having previously suspended it from 2010 to 2016. The service utilizes the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which features 28 United Polaris business class seats, 21 United Premium Plus premium economy seats, 36 Economy Plus seats, and 158 standard economy seats.
Covering a flight distance of 5,442 miles, the journey between Washington Dulles and Lagos takes approximately 10 hours and 40 minutes. In January 2025, the number of weekly f.