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EgyptAir Returns to Los Angeles After Two Decades With New A350 Fleet EgyptAir Returns to Los Angeles After Two Decades With New A350 Fleet

EgyptAir has resumed direct flights between Cairo and Los Angeles for the first time in more than twenty years, marking a significant expansion of North African connectivity to the United States West Coast. The Star Alliance carrier now operates as the sole scheduled airline offering nonstop service on this route, presenting new opportunities for travel professionals packaging Egypt as a destination for American travellers.

The service operates three times weekly using the carrier's new Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which features a configuration of 330 seats across multiple cabin classes. This modern equipment represents part of EgyptAir's broader fleet renewal programme, with three of sixteen ordered A350-900s already delivered since February. The aircraft's range and efficiency make previously unviable ultra-long-haul routes commercially sustainable.

Los Angeles represents the largest unserved market between the United States and Egypt, generating approximately 56,800 two-way passengers in 2025. This makes the city pair the third-largest between the two countries, trailing only New York and Washington. The route's resumption addresses substantial pent-up demand that has relied on connecting itineraries for decades.

EgyptAir previously served Los Angeles during the 1990s through a routing that included a stopover at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport using Boeing 767-300ER equipment. Services were suspended following tragic circumstances in October 1999 and the market remained largely unserved apart from a brief period in early 2001. The return after nearly twenty-seven years represents a historic reconnection.

The Los Angeles launch precedes another significant addition to EgyptAir's American network. Cairo to Chicago O'Hare flights commence on June 21, also operating three times weekly with A350-900 equipment. Chicago ranked as the fourth-largest city pair between the two countries with approximately 36,000 annual passengers. These additions will expand EgyptAir's United States network to five destinations, complementing existing services to New York JFK, Newark and Washington Dulles.

For African travel professionals, this expansion reflects broader trends in transatlantic connectivity between North America and North Africa. Total capacity on routes linking the United States with North African destinations will reach approximately 1.46 million two-way seats during summer 2026, representing growth from 1.32 million seats the previous year. Royal Air Maroc currently leads the regional market with a 44.6 percent share, while EgyptAir accounts for 30.6 percent

The Egyptian market itself continues demonstrating robust growth. Total origin and destination traffic between the United States and Egypt reached 813,700 two-way passengers in 2025, representing a 7.7 percent year-on-year increase Such growth trajectories suggest sustained demand that airlines are now positioning to capture through enhanced direct services.

Travel businesses serving clients interested in Egyptian destinations should note the improved accessibility these routes provide. Direct nonstop flights eliminate connection times and simplify itinerary planning for leisure and business travellers alike. The A350-900's cabin features and fuel efficiency also enhance the passenger experience on these lengthy sectors

The timing aligns with Egypt's broader efforts to attract international visitors to its archaeological treasures, Red Sea resorts and cultural attractions. Improved air connectivity from major American population centres strengthens Egypt's competitive position against other long-haul destinations competing for North American traveller attention.

As African carriers continue expanding their intercontinental networks, partnerships and codeshare arrangements may create additional routing options benefiting passengers throughout the continent. Travel professionals should monitor how these network developments influence booking patterns and destination preferences among their client bases in the months ahead.