The Egypt Guides

EgyptAir Launches Direct Cairo–Chicago Route

· 2 min read Travel News
Cairo cityscape with the Nile and city lights at dusk

EgyptAir launched nonstop service between Cairo International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport on June 21, 2026, adding a second direct US gateway to Cairo following the airline’s May 23 inaugural flight to Los Angeles.

The Chicago route gives travellers from the US Midwest a direct path to Egypt without connecting through Dubai, Doha, or other Gulf hubs. Combined with the Los Angeles service, EgyptAir now links Egypt’s capital directly to both US coasts and the country’s largest inland city.

What the route means for travellers

A nonstop connection removes the uncertainty that comes with tight connections through third-country airports. For travellers planning time in Cairo — whether for the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids of Giza, or as a stepping stone to Luxor and the south — the Chicago departure option meaningfully cuts door-to-door travel time from the US Midwest.

Flight times on the Cairo–Chicago route are approximately 13 hours in each direction. EgyptAir operates the service using widebody aircraft, with frequency expected to ramp up as demand builds over the summer season.

2026: Egypt’s strongest tourism year in nearly two decades

EgyptAir’s transatlantic expansion comes at a remarkable moment for Egyptian tourism. The Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza fully opened this year, drawing visitors who had been waiting years to see it. Security infrastructure around major tourist sites has been reinforced, and Egypt’s tourism ministry has reported that 2026 is on track for the highest international visitor numbers since 2008.

US travel advisories for Egypt remain at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), with specific restrictions limited to the Northern Sinai and parts of the Western Desert near Libya. The main tourist destinations — Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, and Alexandria — are unaffected by those advisories.

Planning your Egypt trip

If you are flying from Chicago, search EgyptAir directly alongside partner airlines for pricing. Travellers from other US cities can still connect in Cairo from Chicago or Los Angeles. Our practical guides cover what to expect at Cairo International and how to move between the country’s key destinations once you arrive. The things to do section has recommendations across the country’s most visited sites.