Delta Air Lines and Kenya Airways Expand Codeshare Partnership

Delta Air Lines and Kenya Airways have expanded their strategic partnership to include Kenya Airways' nonstop service between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The expanded partnership will provide passengers with easier access to additional destinations in North America and Africa. Starting on August 5, passengers can travel to 31 new destinations in Africa and 57 in the U.S. and Canada through only one connection.

In addition, Delta SkyMiles members and Kenya Airways' Asante Rewards members can continue to earn miles through their respective programs. This is when tickets are purchased for the Nairobi-New York route.

Alain Bellemare, Delta Air Lines' President of International, said: "At a time when we are seeing unprecedented demand for travel between North America and Africa, expanding our strategic partnership with Kenya Airways offers our customers more travel options as well as supports our priority to deepen our presence across the African continent."

Allan Kilavuka, CEO of Kenya Airways, emphasized how the expanded partnership will improve connectivity between the U.S. and East Africa. It will also showcase Kenya Airways' brand to American passengers.

Kilavuka added: "Kenya Airways prides itself in connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa. The expansion of the codeshare is historic as it not only allows [Kenya Airways] to expand its footprint in the U.S., providing seamless connectivity on a single ticket for those travelling for business, leisure, or studies. It also offers seamless connectivity to those visiting Africa for similar reasons through JFK into [Kenya Airways'] hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi."

Kenya Airways offers daily flights between Nairobi and New York-JFK. Kenya Airways flight KQ2 departs Nairobi at 11:35 p.m. East Africa Time (EAT) and arrives at New York-JFK at 7:35 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) the next day. Flight KQ3 leaves New York-JFK at 1:45 p.m. ET and arrives in Nairobi at 10:30 a.m. EAT the next day. Both flights are operated using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

Delta Air Lines has provided nonstop flights between the U.S. and Africa since 2006. The airline offers direct service to the following airports on the continent:

• Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra, Ghana
• Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) in Dakar, Senegal
• Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos, Nigeria
• O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa
• Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa

Delta's flights to Accra and Dakar operate from New York-JFK. Meanwhile, Delta's routes to Lagos, Johannesburg, and Cape Town fly from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It should be noted that some flights from Atlanta to Cape Town operate with a stopover in Johannesburg due to the long distance. However, all flights from Cape Town to Atlanta are nonstop.

New York and Atlanta are home to large African immigrant communities that frequently travel to the continent for business and leisure purposes. As of 2019, New York is home to the U.S.' largest Black immigrant population while Atlanta holds the fourth largest population. The New York and Atlanta metropolitan areas have 1.1 million and 190,000 Black immigrants, respectively. Black immigrants generally refer to people born in Africa and the Caribbean.