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Nonstop flights between Lagos and New York are expected to debut by mid-2026 as United Nigeria Airlines accelerates its long-haul expansion, ordering widebody aircraft and partnering with Turkish carrier Air Anka to unlock direct access between West Africa’s largest city and the United States.
United Nigeria Sets Timeline for Lagos–New York Launch
United Nigeria Airlines has outlined an ambitious timetable to begin nonstop Lagos–New York services by the end of the second quarter of 2026, positioning the route as the centrepiece of its international growth strategy. Speaking at events marking the carrier’s fifth anniversary in Lagos earlier this month, chairman Obiora Okonkwo said the airline intends to move from a domestic and regional focus into intercontinental operations, with New York as its first long-haul destination.
Okonkwo confirmed that United Nigeria has committed to a mix of new aircraft, including Airbus A330-200 widebodies and Boeing 737-800s, to support the expansion. One A330-200 is expected to join the fleet later this year, with a second to follow, giving the airline the range and capacity required for nonstop Nigeria–US services. The Lagos–New York route is expected to launch as soon as regulatory clearances and aircraft deliveries are in place, which the airline projects will be by mid-2026.
The service would restore Nigerian airline presence on one of the country’s most sought-after long-haul corridors and add competition to foreign carriers that currently dominate transatlantic links from Lagos. United Nigeria is pitching the planned nonstop flights as a premium yet accessible option for business and diaspora traffic between Nigeria and the Northeast United States.
Wet-Lease Partnership with Air Anka for Early Operations
To accelerate entry into the US market, United Nigeria is working with Istanbul-based Air Anka on a wet-lease arrangement specifically targeting charter and eventual scheduled services between Lagos and New York. According to recent filings with US authorities, Air Anka has applied for permission to operate charter flights from Nigeria to the United States using Airbus A330-200 aircraft under a cooperative agreement with United Nigeria.
The Turkish carrier, which specialises in long-haul charters and wet-lease operations, plans to deploy one of its A330-200s on the Lagos–New York sector. In a wet lease, Air Anka would provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance, while United Nigeria handles marketing and ticket sales. This structure allows United Nigeria to test the route, build brand recognition in the US market and gather operational experience on ultra-long sectors before its own widebodies are fully online.
Industry analysts say the partnership could give United Nigeria an important head start, particularly as securing long-haul aircraft in today’s tight leasing market can be challenging for smaller carriers. Early charter flights would also allow the airline to refine schedules, onboard product and pricing ahead of launching full scheduled services in 2026.
Fleet Expansion to Support Long-Haul Ambitions
The Lagos–New York route forms part of a wider fleet and network expansion strategy for United Nigeria. Alongside the A330-200 widebodies earmarked for intercontinental flying, the airline is acquiring additional Boeing 737-800 aircraft to bolster its regional and continental operations. Okonkwo has indicated that as many as eight new aircraft could join the fleet over the next year, with several narrowbodies arriving before the end of 2026.
The A330-200 is central to the long-haul plan. The twin-aisle jet offers the range needed for the roughly 5,250 mile sector between Lagos and New York and enough capacity to tap strong demand from business travelers, visiting friends and relatives traffic and cargo customers. The aircraft type is also widely used by global carriers on similar transatlantic routes, which should ease operational planning, training and maintenance support for United Nigeria.
United Nigeria says the expanded fleet will rest on three pillars: improving passenger experience, ensuring sustainable growth and forging new partnerships across the aviation value chain. The airline is investing in onboard service upgrades, loyalty initiatives and digital tools designed to appeal to international travelers who currently fly foreign carriers via one-stop connections to reach the United States.
Competitive Jostling on the Nigeria–US Corridor
The planned nonstop Lagos–New York flights will drop United Nigeria into an increasingly competitive Nigeria–US market. At present, passengers typically reach the United States from Lagos via one-stop connections through European, Middle Eastern or African hubs operated by airlines such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and major European flag carriers. Direct Nigerian airline service to New York has been absent in recent years, though there has been steady pressure from local carriers to re-enter the market.
Nigeria’s aviation authorities have signaled support for homegrown airlines seeking to exploit the bilateral air services agreement with the United States. Other Nigerian carriers have previously announced or sought approvals for New York and Houston routes, but operational, fleet and regulatory hurdles have repeatedly delayed firm launch dates. United Nigeria’s combination of new aircraft orders and a wet-lease partnership suggests a phased approach that may help it avoid some of the pitfalls that have stalled earlier attempts.
For US travelers, the new service would join existing options that connect New York and Lagos with at least one stop. Direct competition on the nonstop leg from a Nigerian airline could create pricing pressure and prompt schedule adjustments from foreign carriers, especially during peak travel seasons when demand between Nigeria and the US diaspora is strongest.
What Travelers Can Expect From the Proposed Service
While detailed schedules and fare information have yet to be confirmed, United Nigeria is expected to operate the Lagos–New York flights into one of the New York area’s major international gateways, most likely John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport. Industry observers expect a frequency of several flights per week at launch, with a goal of moving to daily service as demand, aircraft availability and crew resources allow.
The A330-200 aircraft used by Air Anka and eventually by United Nigeria are likely to feature a two-class layout with business and economy cabins. For Nigerian travelers, the appeal of a nonstop service includes shorter total journey times, no transit visa requirements, and streamlined baggage and connectivity compared with itineraries that route through third countries. The airline is also expected to target high-yield corporate accounts and the sizable Nigerian diaspora in the New York metropolitan area and across the eastern United States.
As regulatory reviews proceed in both Nigeria and the United States, timelines may still shift. However, United Nigeria’s recent announcements, fleet commitments and wet-lease partnership indicate that the carrier is further along in its preparations than many previous contenders for direct Nigeria–US service. If the mid-2026 launch window is met, Lagos–New York will become one of the most closely watched new long-haul routes in Africa, testing both demand and the ability of Nigerian carriers to compete on one of the continent’s most strategically important intercontinental corridors.