(CAIRO, UNITED STATES) EgyptAir will launch new nonstop service from Cairo to Los Angeles and Chicago in 2026, widening its presence in the United States and giving travelers on both sides of the Atlantic more choices without European or Gulf layovers. The airline has filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to operate the routes, with ticket sales expected to open after approval. Service to Los Angeles (LAX) starts in May 2026, followed by Chicago (ORD) in June 2026, according to the airline’s plans.
Route details and equipment
The Cairo–Los Angeles route will be EgyptAir’s longest, stretching 7,606 miles with a block time of about 16 hours. Chicago will be a 6,149-mile service linking Egypt’s capital with one of the busiest hubs in the Midwest.
With these additions, Chicago and Los Angeles become the carrier’s fifth and sixth North American gateways, joining New York–JFK, Newark, Toronto, and Washington–Dulles. For travelers in California and Illinois, the new direct flights reduce travel time and cut out multi-stop journeys that often add stress and cost.
EgyptAir plans to operate the routes with wide-body aircraft suited for long-haul flying. The airline expects to deploy either the Boeing 787-9 or its incoming Airbus A350-900 fleet, which is being added to support route growth. Onboard, long-range cabins should help manage the lengthy westbound sector to Los Angeles, where headwinds can extend flight time.
For families, students, and tour groups, a single flight to Cairo means easier planning and fewer missed connections.
Market drivers and expected demand
The timing aligns with a wave of interest in visiting Egypt. The country welcomed over 15.7 million tourists in 2024, setting a new record. The long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026, drawing more visitors who want to see a major cultural project near the Pyramids.
The new direct flights come just as demand is building, giving tour operators and independent travelers a clear path from the U.S. West Coast and Midwest.
- Los Angeles and Chicago have ranked among the top U.S. departure points for trips to Cairo in recent years, signaling a ready market.
- California and Illinois host large Egyptian, Middle Eastern, and African communities; nonstop service can make routine visits simpler during peak seasons and holidays.
- Egypt-bound travelers from cities across the western and central United States will also gain one-stop options via LAX and ORD thanks to Star Alliance links.
These routes deepen EgyptAir’s Star Alliance connectivity. Both Los Angeles and Chicago are major United Airlines hubs, offering onward connections across North America. That means travelers from cities like Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, and Vancouver can book a single itinerary through LAX or ORD to Cairo, while inbound passengers can connect to destinations throughout the United States and Canada.
VisaVerge.com reports that alliance feed often plays a key role in the early success of long-haul launches, especially when an airline is adding a new U.S. gateway.
Strategic and economic angles
Industry watchers see Chicago as a natural fit: the airport is a busy domestic and international hub with stable demand to the Middle East and North Africa.
Los Angeles carries special weight. With EgyptAir’s arrival, LAX would be among the few airports in the world with nonstop links to all six inhabited continents. It’s a prestige route for the airline and a marker of Cairo’s place on the global map.
There is measured caution about the ultra-long-haul nature of the Los Angeles flight. Such routes can face thinner margins due to:
- higher fuel burn
- increased crew costs
- payload limits
Some analysts note that West Coast yields can be softer than East Coast markets. Still, the combination of large communities in California, fresh tourism interest, and the draw of a one-flight journey strengthens the case. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, demand patterns from the West Coast to North Africa have firmed in recent years as travelers prioritize time savings over multi-stop fares.
EgyptAir’s fleet choices also matter. The 787-9 and A350-900 are designed for long-range missions with better fuel efficiency compared to older types. On the longest legs, every percentage point in fuel savings improves performance. Cabin layout and cargo capacity will influence revenue mix, and westbound headwinds on the LAX sector will test the airline’s planning.
The Chicago route, while shorter, benefits from newer aircraft that can keep schedules reliable during winter weather and peak periods.
Economic benefits and local impacts
Direct flights help tour companies build packages that start and end in Cairo without risky connections. They also support meetings and events planners who want predictable lift from North America.
- Hotels, guides, and regional carriers that feed Cairo from Luxor, Aswan, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Hurghada can organize around stable arrival banks.
- For U.S.-based travelers, simpler access can mean more first-time trips and repeat visits.
- Travel agents note that Star Alliance connections allow secondary markets to feed into LAX and ORD, expanding the catchment area.
Regulatory status and next steps
EgyptAir has confirmed it has filed with U.S. authorities for the needed permissions. The Department of Transportation oversees international route authority and related filings for foreign carriers serving the United States. Readers can find official guidance at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s International Aviation page: https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy/international-aviation, which explains how carriers apply and how decisions are made.
The airline expects to open sales and marketing once approvals are in hand, keeping the timeline pointed to May 2026 for LAX and June 2026 for ORD.
Broader network and traveler benefits
Travel agents say the new links will matter for travelers beyond Los Angeles and Chicago. With Star Alliance connections:
- Markets like Sacramento, San Diego, Portland, and Edmonton can feed into LAX.
- Markets like Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Kansas City can route through Chicago.
For students heading to Egyptian universities or U.S.-based Egyptians returning home each summer, a nonstop flight removes the unpredictability of tight European transfers.
EgyptAir’s North America network now takes a more balanced shape:
- East Coast anchors: New York–JFK and Washington–Dulles
- Additional New York capacity: Newark
- Canadian market: Toronto
- Midwest gateway: Chicago
- West Coast gateway: Los Angeles
For the airline, the spread reduces reliance on any single gateway while building brand presence across regions where demand to Egypt is rising.
Airport-level impacts
For LAX, the EgyptAir launch adds another long-haul link at a time when the airport continues to draw carriers from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The airport’s role as a major Star Alliance hub will help.
For Chicago, the route adds depth to O’Hare’s global network and offers a direct option for business, academic, and cultural ties with Egypt.
What happens next
What happens next is largely procedural:
- Government review of the route application.
- Marketing and sales buildup once approvals arrive.
- Schedule finalization and publication.
If the timeline holds, travelers can look for Cairo–Los Angeles schedules to appear first, followed by Cairo–Chicago. Once live, these direct flights are set to change how many people plan trips between Egypt and the United States, giving them time back and removing uncertain connections.
This Article in a Nutshell
EgyptAir has filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch nonstop service from Cairo to Los Angeles in May 2026 and to Chicago in June 2026, expanding its North American network to six gateways. The Cairo–Los Angeles route would be the airline’s longest at about 7,606 miles with an estimated 16-hour block time; Cairo–Chicago measures roughly 6,149 miles. EgyptAir plans to operate the routes using long-range wide-body jets such as the Boeing 787-9 or the incoming Airbus A350-900, and to use Star Alliance partnerships—especially with United Airlines at LAX and ORD—for onward connections. The move targets growing tourist demand after record visitor numbers in 2024 and the upcoming Grand Egyptian Museum opening. The airline expects to open ticket sales after DOT approval; these direct flights aim to reduce travel time, simplify itineraries for families, students and tour groups, and strengthen Cairo’s connectivity with U.S. West Coast and Midwest markets.
