3 weekly to daily: United Airlines ups Boeing 787 flights from Washington DC to Accra

United Airlines has announced increases to its route connecting Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC).

The airline plans to up frequencies from the current three weekly to daily, a significant increase that reflects higher seasonal demand. The increase is already in place, introduced as of October 25 in time for the IATA winter season for 2024-2025.

According to the airline’s statement, United’s service increase represents a 67% year-over-year increase in seats.

The daily service will last through 17 February, 2025, as of which frequencies will reduce down to six weekly through the summer season, operating everyday except Tuesdays (Eastbound) or Wednesdays (Westbound).

Oluwatomi Bola-Sadipe, United’s Country Sales Manager Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa commented:

“Africa continues to be an integral part of United’s global network and we are delighted to announce an increase of flights from Accra to Washington Dulles. We are proud to not only offer our customers in Ghana even greater travel choice when booking their next U.S. getaway, but also provide convenient one-stop connections to over 70 destinations across the Americas, including Chicago, Columbus, Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas.”

The carrier says it offers the most one-stop connections from Accra than any other US airline. It has timed its flights to facilitate efficient connections over IAD, which look as follows:

According to Cirium data, United Airlines will operate 30 flights on the route this month, offering a grand total of 7290 seats.

It uses its fleet of Boeing 787-8 planes, of which it has 12 in service, per information from ch-aviation. The aircraft, which have an average age of 11.4 years, are configured as follows:

• 158 economy class seats
• 36 Economy Plus seats
• 21 United Premium Plus seats
• 28 United Polaris business class seats

The company notes that the plane’s “revolutionary design” provides several passenger experience benefits, including “large windows, spacious overhead storage, and modern LED lighting to simulate a full day, helping passengers adjust their internal clock on the transatlantic flight.”

The largest carriers by seats operating on the market connecting Africa to the United States are listed as follows based on a Cirium analysis for November 2024:

1. Ethiopian Airlines: 31,200 seats each-way across 106 flights
2. Delta Air Lines: 29,800 seats across 116 flights
3. United Airlines: 27,000 seats across 112 flights
4. Royal Air Maroc: 15,500 seats across 54 flights
5. Egyptair: 12,400 seats across 37 flights
6. Kenya Airways: 7000 seats across 30 flights

While Delta Air Lines is the largest US carrier in terms of seats and flights, United offers the same amount of destinations.

This includes five cities, comprising Marrakesh, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Accra and Lagos. Delta Air Lines also operates to five.

United hopes to increase its network in Africa next year with a new flight connecting IAD with Dakar (DSS).

The new route is currently subject to government approval, with the anticipated launch day tentatively set for May 23.