Which Nonstop Flights Connect the US to Africa?

Direct flights from the US to Africa are limited, and flight schedules change frequently. If you do not live on the East Coast, your options may be more limited. Below, we have listed the current direct flights to Africa to help you avoid long layovers in Europe or the Middle East.

Direct flights may not always be the cheapest option, but they can save valuable travel time and make your journey more convenient. Always confirm the latest schedules directly with the airline, as routes and frequencies can change. If you notice any information that is no longer up to date, please let us know.

Planning to use miles or reward points to fly to Africa? Check out: How to Use Frequent Flier Miles to Get to Africa.

Note: If your African destination is not listed below, click here for more information about flights to Africa.

Direct Flights From the US to Egypt

EgyptAir operates a daily service from New York (JFK) to Cairo (CAI), the capital of Egypt. The flight departs New York in the early evening and arrives in Cairo around midday the following day. The journey takes approximately 11 hours. The return flight departs Cairo in the morning and arrives back in New York the same afternoon.

Delta Air Lines also offers daily service from New York (JFK) to Cairo (CAI), departing late in the evening and arriving in Cairo the following afternoon. The return flight leaves Cairo late at night and arrives in New York early the next morning. The flight duration is approximately 11 hours in both directions.

Direct Flights From the US to South Africa

South African Airways operates direct flights to Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa’s largest city, from New York (JFK) and Washington, D.C. (IAD).

The daily flight from New York (JFK) departs in the late morning and arrives in Johannesburg the following morning at around 8:00 AM, providing a convenient arrival time for connecting flights and onward travel throughout the region. The flight duration is approximately 17 hours. The return flight departs Johannesburg in the early evening and arrives in New York the following morning.

South African Airways operates a daily service from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Johannesburg (JNB). The flight departs Washington in the late afternoon and arrives in Johannesburg the following afternoon. The journey takes approximately 17 hours and includes a one-hour stop in Dakar, Senegal, en route. The return flight departs Johannesburg in the evening and arrives in Washington, D.C. early the following morning.

Delta Air Lines operates direct flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Johannesburg (JNB). The daily flight departs Atlanta in the early evening and arrives in Johannesburg the following afternoon. The flight duration is approximately 16 hours. The return service departs Johannesburg in the evening and arrives in Atlanta early the next morning.

Direct Flights From the US to Morocco

Royal Air Maroc operates daily direct flights from New York (JFK) to Casablanca (CMN), Morocco’s commercial capital.

Flights depart New York in the late afternoon and arrive in Casablanca early the following morning, making it convenient to connect with domestic flights to other Moroccan cities such as Fes or Marrakech, or continue by train. The flight duration is approximately 8 hours. The return flight departs Casablanca around midday and arrives back in New York in the mid-afternoon on the same day.

Direct Flights From the US to Ghana

Delta Air Lines operates direct flights from Atlanta (ATL) and New York (JFK) to Accra (ACC), the capital city of Ghana.
Flights from Atlanta depart several times per week in the late evening and arrive in Accra the following afternoon. The flight duration is just under 12 hours. The return flight departs Accra around midnight and arrives back in Atlanta the following morning.

Delta’s direct service from New York (JFK) to Accra departs in the late afternoon and arrives in Accra early the next morning. The flight operates several times per week and takes approximately 11 hours. The return flight departs Accra in the morning and arrives back in New York in the late afternoon.

United Airlines operates daily direct flights from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Accra (ACC), the capital city of Ghana.

The flight departs Washington, D.C. in the late evening and arrives in Accra around midday the following day. The journey takes approximately 10.5 hours. The return flight departs Accra late in the evening and arrives back in Washington, D.C. early the next morning.

Direct Flights From the US to Senegal

South African Airways operates a daily direct flight from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Dakar (DKR), the capital city of Senegal.
The flight departs Washington in the afternoon and arrives in Dakar early the following morning. The journey takes approximately 9 hours.
Delta Air Lines operates direct flights from New York (JFK) to Dakar (DKR) several times per week. The flight departs in the late afternoon and arrives in Dakar very early the next morning. The flight duration is approximately 8.5 hours. The return flight departs Dakar in the early morning and arrives back in New York in the mid-afternoon.

Direct Flights From the US to Ethiopia

Ethiopian Airlines operates flights from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Addis Ababa (ADD), the capital city of Ethiopia.

The service operates four times per week, with daily flights available during the summer months. Flights depart Washington, D.C. in the morning and arrive in Addis Ababa early the following day. The return flight departs Addis Ababa late in the evening and arrives back in Washington, D.C. the following morning. The return journey includes a fuel stop in Rome.

Direct Flights From the US to Nigeria

Arik Air operates flights from New York (JFK) to Lagos, Nigeria, three times per week. For bookings and the latest schedule information, passengers are advised to contact the airline directly, as flight availability and schedules may change.
United Airlines operates direct service from its Houston hub (IAH) to Lagos, Nigeria, using the Boeing 787 aircraft.

Direct Flights From the US to Cape Verde

Cabo Verde Airlines operates weekly flights between Boston (BOS) and Praia (RAI), the capital city of Cape Verde.

Flights depart Boston every Saturday at 10:30 PM, with return flights arriving back in Boston at approximately 10:30 PM. For reservations and the latest schedule information, passengers should contact the airline directly, as flight times may change.

More information about travel in Cape Verde.

Tips on Booking Your Direct Flight to Africa

• Book your flight at least 2 months in advance to secure better availability and fares.
• Look for special offers during the off-season, which commonly includes January–April and October through the first week of December.
• Consider booking through an Africa travel specialist or directly with the airline.
• Double-check your departure times a few days before your flight, as schedules can change.

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