Kenya Airways to Offer Special Rates for Kenyans in the US for Its Direct Flights from New York to Nairobi
Kenya Airways has moved to woo Kenyans living in North America as it prepares to launch direct flights to the United States later this year.
The airline's senior sales manager for key markets, Jennifer Njuguna is currently leading a team to the US for an outreach mission targeting Kenyans living in the US and Canada.
Ms Njuguna has urged the diaspora to show patriotism by flying on Kenya Airways once it debuts on the Nairobi- New York route on October 28th. The official said KQ will have special inaugural rates for Kenyans flying the new direct route to Kenya.
“This flight will save you a lot of time, more than six hours, as you will leave Nairobi at 11:25pm and you will be in New York at 6:25am,” she said.
Ms Njuguna spoke at the annual Minnesota Kenyans International Development (Mkida) graduation gala on Saturday.
Currently, passengers travelling to Kenya from the US are forced to either make a connection in Europe or the Gulf nations. Kenyans living in North America are optimistic ahead of KQ's inaugural nonstop flight to US as it presents them with an opportunity to visit and do business with their motherland.
"The direct Kenya Airways flight will be the fastest way from East Africa to New York," Ms Njuguna said at the gala.
The maiden flight will leave Nairobi on October 28th at 11:25pm and arrive at JFK international airport in New York the next morning at 6:25am. The flight will depart JFK each day at 12:25pm and arrive in Nairobi at 10:55am
“We are counting on you to be our ambassadors on this side of the world,” Ms Njuguna told a receptive audience.
She added: “Beyond providing a faster means of getting to Kenya, the direct flights will open up Kenya even more to the US market in terms of commerce and trade”.
Comments (22)
Operating costs looks will be higher taking into consideration take off time. When temp are high limiting loads..KQ Are yr crew ready for 30 inches of snow and freezing temperatures though for a little while..pick season xmas
@Romeo, I thought KQ has been flying to Europe all these years. Are you implying they never saw snow before?
What will be the good fare return
Interesting how diasporians are asked to show patriotism yet when it comes to voting that does not apply. Anyway this flight will be good for Kenyans and Africans in general especially those who have faced racism during their stopover in Europe.
JFK is not my ideal airport more so during winter season; the likelihood of missing flights or flights being cancelled is quite high. Been there done that with lot's of stress. I am quite happy for Kenya though; it's a milestone. Congratulations and don't mess this opportunity up!
This has nothing to do with Patriotism but the fact that I cannot trust that the guy who got the tender to supply some bolts to fix the plane did not inflate the prices then buy some sub standard bolts from river road.
Hapa ndio corruption imetufikisha. I am not willing to put my life in the hands of anything run by corrupt Kenyans (Read Naikuni & company) for 16 hours. Sorry but it is what it is.
My concern too! Substandard delivery the norm of the day!
Mheshimiwa @Baba yao
Nimesoma uliyoandika halafu nikapata kicheko cha ajabu.
@Imara... Ni ukweli mwenzangu. These are the effects of corruption, you cannot trust anything related to Kenyans as long as there is tender and supply. Especially if your life depends on the said tender and supply. I would not be surprised to find someone supplying jet fuel mixed with Diesel ama mafuta taa at JKIA. It's the sad reality of Kenya.
KQ fare is too high while other carriers are at the range of $700 KQ 1S $1400
This is when they invoke patriotism---when they want our money.
When KQ was being looted last year and on the verge of collapse how come patriotism wasn't being preached?
All I care about is getting a fair deal for my money when traveling. if that is offered by KQ or Emirates or even Somalia airways so be it. The customer is king and should get the best value for money.
The Nairobi-JKF route should be open to competition from other airlines so that we get the best deal.
Patriotism pelekea fatcats huko statehouse and naikuni looters.
Fly Emirates... Experience the comfort of flying long hours.Its not just about time,its about inflight experience.,on time departure
Okay wakenya wacheni umama!! This thing is a great idea. I don't care if you take us to alaska but mimi nitapanda! ndege ni yetu fala hizi! Just bring that KQ hapa haraka haraka. We are ready to spend and fly KQ all the way!!
I AM BOARDING!!
Am from Atlanta i thought they were to operate from Atlanta to Kenya directly what happened...??? South is way better considering winter stroms from up North Especially New York.
how are you kenyans.......been flying the Ethiopian airline to destination outside africa cause of that joy of flying african airline......at least will take KQ to US now.........now you are all hating KQ........we cant force you but try being patriotic...
I am proudly booked on the inaugural flight from NBO to JFK on 28th October, at an introductory fare of $753.00 return. I plan to fiercely and loyally support KQ on that route as much as possible; a route which I frequent severally every year. When you fly other absolutely terrible carriers (like Egyptair), you will truly appreciate the KQ product. They have put their best aircrafts on the route and they are very comfortable. Nobody is being forced to fly KQ. Go KQ Go. Many of us frequent travelers are right behind you!
As Baba Yao mentions, this is not a joke.KQ this is the high time for you to prove us wrong.Lets wait and see.
I guess this is a paid advert. There'll be 4 pilots, one of them a lady. What's the big deal. KQ has real issues, like selling tickets to JFK, and not being able to connect to other US airports. Have been to their website and they can only sell tickets to/from JFK. Poor planning.
I just have to try it. No matter what! Am not holding them on sins Kenya n Kenyans have committed.
Am standing with KQ- New York is far- Kenya is further-lets fly KQ
When Njonjo, the fat cat, flies KQ, I will be ready
Kenya Airways should bring African tourists to Jamaica,link up with Sunrise Airways for other caribbean destinations, also come to Orlando, Floridafor africans who want to bring their kids to Disney world, NASA space center, Seaworld, also tbey can visit Tampa Bay to go to Clearwater Beach.
This is a welcome move.It will greatly reduce the number of hours used to fly to Kenya.
However,Kenyans are so corrupt that they can longer be trusted with people's lives especially in the high risk aviation sector.
I say this because Kenyans talk of "Making deals" these days more than ever before.They no longer talk of making money.
Therefore, in the spirit of making deals,it would not be a surprise for a supplies guy in kenya to buy an old spare part to fix on the aircraft just to make a few bucks like the rest of Kenyans. Without caring about the number of lives he is subjecting to danger.
We want to see more action in the efforts to curb corruption in that country. We want to see people in court, and big shots who are the masters of big deals.
Otherwise it will take some extra efforts by KQ marketers to convince some Kenyans in the diaspora that corruption won't be extended to this new project, which I fully support, but with a lot of fear of the unknown.
By the way, which government ministry is not corrupt in Kenya? Just mention one for me and then from there we can move on.
Sorry for those who might think that I'm writing to spoil for KQ. Oh no! It is what it is. Again I have no control over what you think about my sincere opinion that I have expressed herein.