EgyptAir has filed with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch two new routes from Cairo to the United States, marking a major expansion of its long-haul network. The carrier plans to begin service to Los Angeles in May 2026 and to Chicago in June 2026.
The new services would become EgyptAir’s fifth and sixth destinations in North America, alongside New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Toronto (YYZ), and Washington D.C. (IAD). Both new routes are expected to benefit from connectivity through United Airlines, EgyptAir’s Star Alliance partner.
The Chicago route will span 6,149 miles, while the Los Angeles route will stretch 7,606 miles, making it the longest flight in EgyptAir’s history. Industry observers note that the Los Angeles route also makes LAX one of the few airports worldwide with nonstop links to all six inhabited continents.
EgyptAir currently operates a widebody fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs, Boeing 787-9s, and Airbus A330s. However, with the airline close to full utilization of its existing jets, the upcoming delivery of Airbus A350-900s will enable further network growth. The new US routes are likely to be served by either the 787-9s or the A350-900s.
Analysts suggest that Chicago, with its large hub for United Airlines, is a logical addition offering strong onward connectivity. The Los Angeles service, however, is viewed with more caution given the challenges of ultra-long-haul operations and the dominance of Gulf carriers on West Coast traffic flows.
Despite questions about viability, industry experts note that prestige and strategic positioning may also factor into the Los Angeles launch, with EgyptAir resuming a route it briefly operated decades ago. For LAX, the new service would carry symbolic weight, linking Hollywood directly to Cairo.
EgyptAir has not yet opened reservations for either route but is seeking rapid approval from the DOT to begin marketing. The carrier said the new flights reflect its strategy of leveraging fleet modernization to expand its global footprint and cement Cairo’s role as a major aviation hub.
