United Airlines has announced increase in service delivery between Lagos and Washington D.C., from three-times weekly to daily flights.
The daily flights will begin from December 4, 2024 to February 14, 2025, reflecting 133 per cent year-over-year increase in seats for the period.
This will be the first time United’s service between Lagos and Washington D.C. will operate daily and the flight continues to be the only night-time departure from Lagos to the U.S., enabling customers in Nigeria to benefit from more travel options to visit Washington D.C., as well as convenient day-time connections to destinations across the Americas.
Since the launch of United’s Lagos to Washington service in 2021, United has operated flights with state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft featuring 28 United Polaris business class lie-flat seats, 21 United Premium Plus premium economy seats, 36 Economy Plusseats and 158 standard economy seats. 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.
United’s Country Sales Manager for Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, Oluwatomi Bola-Sadipe, said: “Africa continues to be an integral part of United’s global network and we are delighted to announce an increase of flights from Lagos to Washington Dulles during the winter season with our state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner aircraft. We are proud to not only offer our customers in Nigeria 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 Houston, Chicago, and New York/Newark.”
The increase of flights from Lagos to Washington D.C. comes as United, this year, expanded its presence on the second largest continent in the world, adding Marrakesh, Morocco to its network in Africa from October 25, 2024. United will be the first and only airline to operate nonstop flights from Marrakesh to the U.S. and operates routes from Cape Town, South Africa to New York/Newark and Washington D.C, Johannesburg, South Africa to New York/Newark and Accra, Ghana to Washington D.C.
Bola-Sadipe explained that United Polaris business class is a premium travel experience that prioritizes relaxation and comfort, featuring quality inflight dining, amenity products and services from Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue and full flat-bed seats with all aisle access.
United Premium Plus features a spacious seat with more legroom, elbow room and recline than a standard Economy Plus or economy seat, as well as an amenity kit, Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and plush pillow.
United Economy Plus offers added legroom and increased personal space. Located near the front of the economy cabin, the seats give the added benefit of a swifter exit from the plane on arrival. Economy Plus seating is available on all trans-Atlantic flights.
United economy offers complimentary food, soft drinks, juices, beer and wine, tea, coffee and inflight entertainment. On most aircraft, seats feature an adjustable headrest and a personal on-demand entertainment system.
United originally served Nigeria from 2010 to 2016 and resumed service in 2021. Today, United offers customers in Nigeria a nonstop three-times weekly service, increasing to daily during the winter season, from Lagos to Washington, D.C. United customers in Nigeria can book flights online by visiting united.com.
United Airlines is making significant changes to its service between Lagos, Nigeria, and Washington D.C., USA, with plans to increase flight frequency from three times a week to daily service during the winter season. This new schedule, set to run from December 4, 2024, to February 14, 2025, marks a 133% year-over-year increase in available seats. This increase also marks the first time that United’s Lagos to Washington D.C. route will operate daily, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to expanding its presence in Africa.
This strategic decision reflects United’s recognition of the growing demand for travel between Nigeria and the U.S., providing customers with greater flexibility and more options for their travel needs. The flights will continue to be the only nighttime departures from Lagos to the U.S., which allows passengers to arrive in Washington D.C. during the day, offering convenient connections to over 70 destinations across the Americas, including major hubs like Houston, Chicago, and New York/Newark.
Since United launched its Lagos to Washington D.C. service in 2021, the route has been served by the state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. This aircraft is known for its advanced features designed to enhance passenger comfort on long-haul flights. It offers 28 United Polaris business class lie-flat seats, 21 United Premium Plus premium economy seats, 36 Economy Plus seats, and 158 standard economy seats. The Dreamliner’s innovative design includes large windows, spacious overhead storage, and LED lighting that simulates a full day, helping passengers adjust their internal clocks on transatlantic journeys.
Oluwatomi Bola-Sadipe, United’s Country Sales Manager for Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, emphasized the importance of Africa in United’s global network. She expressed excitement about the increased frequency of flights from Lagos to Washington D.C., highlighting the benefits for Nigerian customers, who will now have more travel options and the convenience of one-stop connections to numerous destinations across the Americas.
United Airlines has been steadily increasing its presence in Africa. In addition to the expanded Lagos-Washington service, United added Marrakesh, Morocco, to its network in October 2024. United is the first and only airline to offer nonstop flights from Marrakesh to the U.S. The airline also operates routes from Cape Town, South Africa, to New York/Newark and Washington D.C., as well as Johannesburg, South Africa, to New York/Newark, and Accra, Ghana, to Washington D.C.
The increase in flights from Lagos is part of a broader strategy to enhance United’s offerings in Africa, a continent that continues to grow in significance for the airline. The daily flights from Lagos to Washington D.C. not only cater to the Nigerian market but also strengthen United’s position as a key player in the transatlantic travel market.
United Polaris business class is a cornerstone of United’s premium travel experience, offering passengers a range of amenities designed to maximize comfort and relaxation. These include inflight dining curated with high-quality ingredients, amenity kits featuring products from Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue, and fully flat-bed seats with direct aisle access. This level of service is particularly appealing to business travelers and those seeking a more luxurious travel experience.
For those looking for more space without the full premium class experience, United Premium Plus offers a middle ground. These seats provide more legroom, elbow room, and recline than standard economy seats, along with additional amenities such as a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and a plush pillow. The added comfort and amenities make it a popular choice for passengers who want a bit more luxury without opting for business class.
United Economy Plus, on the other hand, offers extra legroom and increased personal space, situated at the front of the economy cabin. This position allows for a quicker exit upon arrival, which is a notable advantage for passengers looking to save time after a long flight.
Even in standard economy, United ensures a comfortable journey with complimentary food and beverages, including beer, wine, and soft drinks. The in-flight entertainment system provides a variety of options to keep passengers entertained throughout the flight. The seats, which feature adjustable headrests, are designed to make the long journey as comfortable as possible.
United Airlines has a long history with Nigeria, having initially served the country from 2010 to 2016 before resuming service in 2021. The airline’s decision to increase flight frequency during the winter season is a clear indication of its commitment to meeting the needs of Nigerian travelers and maintaining a strong presence in the region.
Passengers looking to book flights on this expanded service can do so through United’s website, united.com, where they can also find more information on the amenities and services offered on these flights. This expansion of service between Lagos and Washington D.C. is part of United’s broader strategy to enhance its global network and provide customers with more options for their travel needs, particularly in the growing African market.
With the increased frequency of flights, passengers from Nigeria will benefit from greater access to the U.S. and beyond, whether they are traveling for business, leisure, or connecting to other destinations across the Americas.