EgyptAir has applied to the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) for authority to launch new nonstop flights from Cairo to both Chicago and Los Angeles, which would expand the Egyptian flag carrier’s U.S. network to five cities.
In two separate applications, the airline said it plans to begin service to Los Angeles in May 2026 and to Chicago in June 2026. EgyptAir asked the DOT to grant the authority “expeditiously to facilitate marketing and advance sales” of both routes. The Star Alliance member added the routes would “provide significant new transportation options for passengers and shippers.”
EgyptAir first began serving the U.S. in 1986, when it launched flights to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Service to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) started in 2019, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in 2023.
According to data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser, the carrier currently serves JFK daily using a mix of Boeing 777-300ERs and 787-9s, as well as operating 2X-weekly flights to EWR and 3X-weekly to IAD, both with 787-9s. The airline’s North American network also includes a 5X-weekly route to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Sabre Market Intelligence data shows total U.S.-Egypt O&D traffic reached 760,000 two-way passengers in 2024, down about 6% from the previous year. Cairo-New York was the largest city pair with 225,000 passengers, followed by Cairo-Washington (80,000) and Cairo-Los Angeles (58,400). The Cairo-Chicago market ranked fourth with 35,400 passengers.
EgyptAir has a fleet of 64 aircraft in service, according to the CAPA Fleet Database, including eight 787-9s, five 777-300ERs, four A330-200s, and four A330-300s. The carrier also has 16 A350-900s on order.
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