American Airlines is a well-known carrier around the world-- but one absence from the
carrier’s global route network is Sub-Saharan Africa. Why isn’t the airline flying there?
Sub-Saharan Africa is a massive region that stretches from Mali, South Sudan and Kenya,
down to Madagascar and South Africa. The region is expansive and home to over a billion people.
The region is home to many airlines and is a growing air traffic market.
This includes Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and TAAG Angola Airlines, among others.
Delta Air Lines once planned massive African expansion to several countries in the region.
However, the airline scaled that back, but it is still the largest US carrier flying to and from
Sub-Saharan Africa with service to Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa. United Airlines has
plans to fly to Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa from this year, depending on market conditions.
On the African side, Ethiopian Airlines also has a massive international route network,
with plenty of flights to the US. Distance is one factor when it comes
to route selection. South Africa is notably far away from the US. From the East Coast,
a route to Johannesburg would cover around 8,000 miles. While the 777-200ER could reach closer to
8,500 miles or more, it comes at a tradeoff of payload and a higher fuel carrying requirement.
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, American Airlines has also previously relied on its partner,
British Airways, which has a pretty significant presence across Africa,
including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and more.
So, American is still able to sell flights to Africa, just usually with a connection in London
The airline also now has Qatar Airways, which has a massive African presence. This partnership gives
American access to some secondary markets in sub-Saharan Africa, such as Zanzibar.
An American Airlines spokesperson confirmed to Simple Flying that
South Africa is on the airline’s radar, and the geography has some challenges. However,
the airline’s 787s could certainly be the key to making flights happen- especially with its
better operating economics and fuel efficiency. The most likely destination American Airlines
would seek to serve in Southern Africa would be Johannesburg. Using a Boeing 787-9,
American could fly it to one of four hubs: Miami, Charlotte, New York-JFK, or Philadelphia.
New York-JFK to Jo’burg is not currently served, and the future of this route is up
in the air as South African Airways figures out its restructuring.
A 787-9 could work on this route, perhaps even moreso with its jetBlue partnership.
Using 787-8s, there are plenty of other options for American Airlines above South Africa.
One of the most likely options would be Lagos, Nigeria. There are other options, like Nairobi
or Kinshasa, that are major cities in Africa. Still, these cities are relatively low-yield
travelers, so it is less likely the airline will try to operate to some of these cities.
Ultimately, it is not inconceivable to think American Airlines could be flying to
Sub-Saharan Africa in a few years. The airline has been on a growth path and, even in 2021,
the carrier has some big plans with new routes.
Do you think American Airlines should return to Sub-Saharan Africa? Let us know in the comments!