Nigerian airline Air Peace claims it has plans to launch flights to the United States before the end of the year. We’ll see how this plays out, as this sure could get interesting…
Air Peace plans Lagos to Houston & New York flights
Air Peace is Nigeria’s largest airline, and it’s also privately owned. The airline has a fleet of nearly 30 jets, comprised of Boeing 777s, Boeing 737s, Embraer E195-E2s, and Embraer E145s. Aside from the new Embraer jets, the carrier’s fleet is certainly a bit outdated — the airline flies former Emirates 777s, and 737 variants include the 737-300 and 737-500.
The airline has been growing considerably, and recently launched its most exciting route yet, to London. Following the carrier’s expansion to the United Kingdom, the airline is now setting its sights on the United States.
In a recent interview, Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema stated that the airline hopes to launch flights to the United States before the end of 2024, with plans to fly from Lagos (LOS) to Houston (IAH) and New York (JFK):
“We are planning to hit New York or Houston towards the end of the year because we are bringing in more 777s. As I speak to you, my staff are in California, the engineering technical services department; they’re in California inspecting three 777s we want to buy. So, if we could get them in the next two or three months, then of course, we are good to go anywhere.”
Now, I certainly wouldn’t take the timeline as fact:
- Expanded service relies on the airline acquiring more Boeing 777s, which isn’t necessarily a quick process
- Executives at the airline have been talking about launching service to the United States for many years, but with London service now a reality, perhaps flights to the United States are closer to becoming a real possibility
Nigeria and the United States have an Open Skies agreement, which means that Air Peace could quite easily start this service, if it were ready. While the airline would have to file for permission with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), approval wouldn’t be complicated, given that no additional bilateral negotiations are required.
Currently, two airlines from the United States fly to Lagos — Delta operates a route out of Atlanta (ATL), while United operates a route out of Washington (IAD).
For what it’s worth, both of the routes that Air Peace is considering were previously operated by US airlines. Delta flew from New York to Lagos until 2022, while United flew from Houston to Lagos until 2016.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s Arik Air used to fly from Lagos to New York using A330s that previously flew for Kingfisher Airlines, with a ridiculously cool-looking business class product. Unfortunately the airline no longer flies wide body aircraft.
The Houston route would cover a distance of 6,512 miles, while the New York route would cover a distance of 5,250 miles.
I really want to fly with Air Peace…
I’ve gotta be honest — while I don’t have any immediate plans to fly with Air Peace, the airline is probably in my top five of airlines I’d be very curious to experience. There’s very little out there about the carrier’s 777 business class, and I’d be fascinated to know what it’s like.
Since these are former Emirates jets, I know what to expect from the hard product, though I’d be mighty curious what the soft product is like. I believe at least one of these 777s used to have first class, though it doesn’t look like the airline is selling first class anymore, unless I’m missing something. Does anyone know what happened there?
Air Peace has certainly been a controversial carrier since it launched, from its safety record, to questions about the CEO’s finances, to the way that the airline goes about demanding slots at busy airports (though it’s not totally unlike what JetBlue does). Perhaps all of that adds to the intrigue.
Bottom line
Air Peace’s CEO claims that the airline plans to launch flights from Lagos to both Houston and New York before the end of 2024. The company is reportedly in the process of acquiring more 777s, though we’ll see how that plays out. The airline has had the goal of flying to the United States for years, though with the pace at which Air Peace is growing, maybe this will finally become a reality.
Do you think Air Peace will launch flights to the United States?
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.