5 longest international routes to Africa
This year, Africa has connections to more than 230 intercontinental destinations, most of which are to and from Europe. However, North America has the longest flights to the continent. According to Cirium, the five longest intercontinental routes are to South Africa.
The country's two main airports, Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) and Cape Town International (CPT), are among the busiest transportation centers on the continent. They are connected to more than 20 intercontinental destinations with over 21 airlines. Although these airports are among the most popular, some passengers need more than 14 hours to reach them. This was reported by simpleflying.com.
The two longest routes are from Atlanta
The longest intercontinental route in Africa runs from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Johannesburg. It covers 8,439 miles (13,581 kilometers), connecting the world's busiest airport with Africa's second busiest airport as of January 2024. The route is operated daily by Delta Air Lines. According to the airline's schedule, flight DL24 departs from ATL on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. DL200 is operated on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The second longest route is from Atlanta to Cape Town, the second busiest airport in South Africa. Delta also serves it with A350-900 aircraft. The American airline operates three flights weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, covering a distance of 8,130 miles (13,083 km).
Other routes also from the US
The third-longest route to Africa connects Newark Liberty International Airport with Johannesburg. The 7,989-mile (12,857 km) route is served by United Airlines. Flight UA188 departs from Johannesburg Airport on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Return flights are operated on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
In fourth place is Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to Cape Town. The 7,925-mile (12,754 km) route is also served by United with a frequency of three times a week.
Rounding out the top 5 longest intercontinental routes to Africa is the Newark to Cape Town route. It covers 7,817 miles (12,580 km) and is operated by United's Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The American airline has 38 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, making it the second-largest operator of this type after All Nippon Airways (ANA). According to the schedule, United flights on the EWR-CPT route take approximately 14 hours and 25 minutes.
Other routes
South Africa has several other important long-haul connections, such as Sydney-Johannesburg (6,863 miles) served by Qantas and Shenzhen-Johannesburg (6,635 miles) served by Air China. However, when looking at the top 10, East Africa takes the remaining five spots.
The sixth-longest intercontinental route is operated by Ethiopian Airlines from Atlanta to Addis Ababa International Airport (ADD) on a 787-8 Dreamliner.
When it comes to traveling within Africa, the three longest routes are to South Africa. The longest is Air Algérie's Algiers-Johannesburg route, which covers a distance of 4,619 miles (7,433 km). It is followed by Egyptair's Cairo-Johannesburg route (3,874 miles (6,234 km)) and Ethiopian Airlines' Addis Ababa-Cape Town route (3,238 miles (5,211 km)). In fourth and fifth place are Royal Air Maroc's flights from Casablanca to Luanda (3,224 miles) and ET's flights from Addis Ababa to Bamako (3,183 miles).
