United Airlines to Launch Johannesburg-Chicago Flights in 2024
United Airlines has announced its plans to initiate flights between Johannesburg and Chicago in the United States, with the service set to commence in 2024.
This new route is expected to bolster South Africa’s tourism industry, especially as the country increasingly looks to the USA as a vital source of tourists.
Connecting Chicago and Johannesburg
Flights between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Johannesburg’s O.R.
Tambo International Airport are scheduled to begin in March of the coming year. Currently, United Airlines operates flights from New York to both Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as flights between Washington and Cape Town.
Notably, the New York-Johannesburg route is one of the airline’s second-longest flight paths.
Record Flight Distance
The Chicago-Johannesburg route covers a staggering distance of 8,708 miles (14,015 kilometers), making it one of the longest flights globally.
While it ranks as the ninth longest in terms of distance, it holds the distinction of being the longest flight operated by any US airline.
For comparison, United Airlines’ longest current flight is the route between San Francisco and Singapore, covering 8,446 miles (13,592 kilometers) with a flight time of approximately sixteen and a half hours.
Tourism Paradigm Shifts
The global tourism landscape has witnessed substantial transformations since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Travel restrictions, border closures, quarantine mandates, and other pandemic-related measures have profoundly impacted tourism sectors worldwide, including South Africa.
Shift in Tourism Source Countries
South Africa’s tourism sector has experienced significant shifts in the origin of visitors.
While the UK and Germany were once prominent source countries for South African tourism, the landscape has evolved.
The USA has now emerged as one of South Africa’s top tourism source countries. This shift in tourism patterns has prompted US airlines to explore new flight routes into South Africa.
Strengthening US-South Africa Tourism
The introduction of flights between Chicago and Johannesburg reinforces the United States of America’s role as a crucial tourism source country for South Africa.
This strategic connection is poised to further boost South African tourism and foster closer ties between the two nations.
The launch of this route signifies a positive step toward recovery and growth in the tourism sector, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of the travel industry amidst evolving global circumstances.
