EgyptAir Launches Nonstop Flights to Los Angeles and Chicago

EgyptAir is launching two historic nonstop routes to the United States in 2026, opening the first direct flights between Egypt and North America in decades. The Cairo–Los Angeles service began on 23 May 2026, operating three times weekly — Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays — from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The Cairo–Chicago O’Hare service follows on 21 June 2026, also running three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Both routes are operated on the wide-body Airbus A350-900, one of EgyptAir’s newest long-haul aircraft offering business, premium economy, and economy cabins. Flight time on the Cairo–LA route is approximately 16–17 hours; the Cairo–Chicago crossing takes approximately 11 hours.

What it means for visitors flying into Egypt

For North American travellers planning a Nile cruise, a week at Sharm el-Sheikh, or a deep dive into the antiquities of Luxor, direct access from two major US gateway cities removes one of the most frustrating logistical barriers — the long connecting flight through Europe or the Gulf. A traveller in Los Angeles previously had to route through cities such as London, Frankfurt, or Istanbul, adding several hours and an additional set of check-in and security queues.

Cairo remains the primary international hub. Most multi-city Egypt itineraries will still begin and end at Cairo International, making these new routes a practical improvement for the full trip, not just the first leg.

The broader network

EgyptAir is also expanding its short and medium-haul network, having inducted its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 for European and Middle Eastern routes, and targeting 85 destinations in 2026. Beyond the US routes, EgyptAir resumed its full UAE network — including daily flights to Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi — after a brief suspension that ended on 5 May 2026.

The Red Sea resort corridor is also seeing growth: TUI UK is operating direct flights to Sharm el-Sheikh from East Midlands Airport, and easyJet is adding seasonal routes from Newcastle and Glasgow starting August 2026. Charter options from Amsterdam and other European cities are running through the summer season for Hurghada and Marsa Alam.

Visa reminder for US nationals

US passport holders require a visa to enter Egypt. The standard single-entry tourist visa costs $30 USD (increased from $25 in March 2026) and can be obtained on arrival at Cairo Airport or in advance via the Egypt e-Visa portal. Egypt is also developing a digital visa-on-arrival system expected to launch across Cairo Airport terminals in August 2026, allowing travellers to complete the process via self-service kiosks or through an app before they land.

Our Egypt visa guide covers both options, processing times, and what to bring.

Planning your arrival into Cairo

Cairo International Airport sits in the northeast of the city, well connected to all major tourist destinations by domestic flights, overnight sleeper trains, and bus. Our getting around Egypt guide covers all transport options in detail.

Cairo itself deserves at least two days before heading south. The Cairo city guide covers the Grand Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo, Khan el-Khalili, and practical logistics including airport transit hotels.

Fares and Booking

Introductory fares for the Cairo–Los Angeles route were priced from approximately US$650–750 return in economy for travel in May and June 2026, based on fares visible at launch. Business class on the A350-900 starts at significantly higher rates — early business class availability from Cairo to Los Angeles was priced from approximately US$2,400–3,000 return. Fares on the Cairo–Chicago route follow a similar bracket. As with all airline pricing, these fluctuate based on booking date, availability, and seasonal demand. Check current fares directly through EgyptAir’s booking system or major OTAs.

The A350-900 offers EgyptAir Business Class with lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, providing aisle access for every passenger. Economy class features standard pitch for long-haul services. Both cabins include personal entertainment screens. The roughly 16–17 hour flight time on the Cairo–LA route makes business class a meaningful comfort upgrade for the journey.

What to Do First: Arriving in Cairo from the US

For first-time visitors arriving into Cairo from Los Angeles or Chicago, the city’s size and density can be disorienting without a clear plan. A few key points:

• Cairo International Airport to city centre: 30–60 minutes by taxi or ride-share (Uber and Careem both operate in Cairo) depending on time of day and traffic. Rush hour (07:30–10:00 and 16:00–20:00) extends journey times significantly. A taxi to central Cairo (Zamalek, Downtown, Garden City) costs approximately LE 250–400 from the arrivals area.
• First priority: Allow a full day for Cairo before any onward domestic journey. The Cairo city guide covers the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, Old Cairo, and Khan el-Khalili bazaar — all of which are within range of the city centre.
• Domestic connections: For visitors continuing to Luxor, Aswan, or the Red Sea coast, same-day connections are possible but require careful planning. Domestic EgyptAir flights to Luxor depart multiple times daily; the journey takes approximately one hour.

The Broader Egypt Accessibility Picture

Beyond the new US routes, Egypt has seen significant improvements in international connectivity in 2026. EgyptAir has resumed full UAE operations (daily flights to Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi), and the budget end of the market is expanding with easyJet’s new Newcastle and Glasgow routes to Sharm el-Sheikh starting August 2026. TUI UK is operating direct services to Sharm from East Midlands Airport. For North American travellers, the combined effect of the Los Angeles and Chicago routes is that Egypt is now bookable as a direct-fly destination for the first time in decades — without the previously unavoidable European or Gulf stopover.

Egypt’s airspace has remained fully open throughout 2026 despite disruptions elsewhere in the region, and the country’s major tourist sites have continued to operate without interruption. Egypt is targeting a record 20 million visitors in 2026 (Bloomberg, June 2026), and the Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza Plateau is actively expanding its galleries and facilities to accommodate the growing international audience.