United Nigeria Airlines Targets Lagos-New York Nonstop Service by Mid-2026
A bold new chapter is opening for West Africa's aviation landscape as United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has revealed ambitious plans to connect Lagos directly with New York before the close of the second quarter of this year. The carrier shared this milestone announcement during a press event in Lagos celebrating its fifth year of operations, signalling a determined push into the long-haul market.
Professor Obiora Okonkwo, the airline's Chairman, laid out a comprehensive growth roadmap that positions UNA as a serious contender on intercontinental routes. To power the transatlantic service, the airline has secured two Airbus A330-200 wide-body jets, each fitted with 12 cabin sections and fully capable of operating nonstop between Lagos and New York. The first of these aircraft is expected to arrive by late July this year, with the second following in October.
This development carries significant weight for professionals across Africa's travel trade. Direct connectivity between Nigeria — the continent's most populous nation — and the United States opens up fresh possibilities for both leisure and business travellers. For years, passengers flying between West Africa and North America have relied heavily on connections through European or Middle Eastern hubs. A nonstop option from Lagos could reshape booking patterns and offer agents an exciting new product to market to their clients.
But the New York route is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. UNA has placed orders for a total of 11 new aircraft, which also include six Boeing 737-800 NG planes earmarked for regional and continental expansion. The airline intends to roll out at least six new African routes on or before mid-2026, with destinations such as Dakar, Monrovia, and Johannesburg already on the radar. These connections would strengthen intra-African travel, a segment that industry experts have long identified as underdeveloped yet full of promise.
Beyond the African continent, UNA's leadership confirmed that intercontinental flights to the Gulf states, Europe, and America are all at an advanced planning stage, with a summer 2026 launch window in sight. Destinations reportedly under consideration include Dubai, Jeddah, Rome, and the United Kingdom, giving travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa a broader portfolio of options to offer their customers.
The timing of this expansion is worth noting. African aviation is experiencing a period of renewed confidence, with several carriers across the continent investing in fleet upgrades and new route networks. UNA's aggressive strategy suggests the airline sees a gap in the market that established competitors have not fully addressed — particularly on long-haul routes originating from Nigeria. For travel agents, this could translate into more competitive fares, better seat availability, and stronger negotiating positions with airline partners.
It is also worth considering what this means for the broader ecosystem. New routes typically drive increased hotel bookings, ground transport demand, and tourism spend at both ends of the connection. African travel professionals who position themselves early to sell these new products could gain a meaningful advantage as the routes come online.
Of course, launching intercontinental services is no small feat. Fleet delivery schedules, regulatory approvals, and operational readiness will all need to align. However, the fact that aircraft orders are already confirmed and delivery dates set suggests UNA is moving beyond mere ambition into concrete execution. For Africa's travel trade, this is a story well worth watching — and preparing for — in the months ahead.
