Captain Joseph Kinuthia, the Pilot who Flew Kenya Airways' Maiden Direct Flight to the US Retires

Captain Joseph Kinuthia, the pilot who commandeered Kenya Airways' inaugural direct nonstop flight to the United States last October, has retired.

Captain Kinuthia leaves Kenya Airways after 42 years of service, having joined the airline in 1978.

He was the most experienced Kenya Airways' captain, having spent more than 24,000 hours in the air.

The 66-year-old flew his last flight from JFK International Airport in New York to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday, February 19th.

Kinuthia will be remembered for successfully flying Kenya's first ever direct flight to the US on October 28th, 2018.

On Tuesday, the airline held a farewell party in his honor. He has thanked KQ for making him who he is today.

 "I feel delighted and happy that the company did what it has done for me not only today but for the last 42 years. We have had a very good working relationship with the company, I have been very comfortable working for KQ and I hope they have been happy working with me," says Kinuthia.

The airline has also thanked Kinuthia for his commitment and dedication to the carrier.

"Today we bid farewell to a long-serving and loyal employee Captain Joseph Kinuthia. Thank you for the 42 years of unwavering service, commitment, resilience, and sacrifice that you gave to the KQ family," says KQ in a tweet.

Among prominent personalities he has flown include former President Daniel Moi and the late Pope John Paul II.