The development builds on the airline's expansion into Africa and solidifies its leadership position from Africa to the US.
United Airlines has inaugurated its new nonstop service between its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, with the arrival of the first flight into Nigeria on Wednesday.
The development builds on the airline's expansion into Africa and solidifies its leadership position from Africa to the US.
Earlier this year, it launched a new service between Johannesburg and New York/Newark and between Accra and Washington, DC.
Within three weekly flights, United is the first and only airline serving Washington, DC. nonstop from Lagos.
The flight is operated with state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring United’s award-winning United PolarisSM business class cabin and United Premium PlusSM premium economy seats, a statement from the company said.
The new service marks United’s return to Nigeria, which the airline previously served up until 2016.
Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President International Network Planning and Alliances stated, “This new flight from Lagos reinforces our ongoing commitment to growing our network in Africa and providing more convenient service to the destinations our customers want to fly to most.
“This highly anticipated service will provide a key gateway between Lagos and Washington D.C., as well as easy one-stop connections to almost 80 destinations across the Americas, including Houston and Chicago.”
Also, Mary Beth Leonard, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria said, “This exciting initiative further expands our economic relationship, promotes people-to-people ties, and creates new opportunities for United, travel companies, and customers alike.”
United’s new flights comply with each countries’ COVID-19 protocols and customers should check destination requirements before travelling.
United customers in Nigeria can book flights online by visiting united.com, visiting the United Ticket Office (United Airlines, 3rd Floor Aviation Plaza, 3 Kodesho Street, Ikeja, Lagos) Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., contacting United Reservations on 07000334444 or their travel agent.
A statement from the company reads, “The revolutionary design of the Dreamliner offers customers many features for increased comfort, such as large windows, spacious overhead storage and modern LED lighting to simulate a full day, helping passengers adjust their internal clock on the transatlantic flight. In addition, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and smoother ride help customers feel rested on arrival.
“United Polaris business class is a premium travel experience that prioritises relaxation and comfort, featuring restaurant-quality inflight dining, premium amenity kits and full flat-bed seats.
“United is committed to putting health and safety at the forefront of every customer's journey, with the goal of delivering an industry-leading standard of cleanliness through its United CleanPlus℠ program.
“United has teamed up with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic to redefine cleaning and health safety procedures from check-in to landing and has implemented more than a dozen new policies, protocol and innovations designed with the safety of customers and employees in mind.
“Customers can review COVID-19 entry requirements, find local testing options and upload any required testing and vaccination records for domestic and international travel, all in United’s Travel Ready Center. United was the first airline to integrate all these features into its mobile app and website.
”United is more focused than ever on its commitment to customers and employees.”
As part of efforts to serve customers the more, the company has recently: “launched a plan to transform the United customer experience by adding and upgrading hundreds of aircraft as well as investing in features like larger overhead bins, seatback entertainment in every seat and the industry’s fastest available Wi-Fi.
“Announced a goal to create 25,000 unionized jobs by 2026 that includes careers as pilots, flight attendants, agents, technicians, and dispatchers. Announced that United will train at least 5,000 pilots by 2030 through the United Aviate Academy, with the plan of at least half being women and people of colour. Required all U.S. employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
”Became the first airline to offer customers the ability to check their destination’s travel requirements, schedule COVID-19 tests and more on its mobile app and website.
”Invested in emerging technologies that are designed to decarbonize air travel, like an agreement to work with urban air mobility company Archer, an investment in aircraft startup Heart Aerospace and a purchase agreement with Boom Supersonic.
”Committed to going 100% green by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets. Eliminated change fees for all economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the US.”