EgyptAir Looks to Add Chicago, Los Angeles Flights in 2026

Egyptair this week filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to request authority for new non-stop flights between Cairo International Airport and two additional destinations in North America. The national flag carrier, a member of the prestigious Star Alliance, seeks to introduce service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in May 2026 and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in June 2026.

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The applications specifically sought DOT approval for a minimum initial term of two years or longer and stated that expedited approval was immediately necessary so that they could begin marketing and advance sales in time “for launch.”

The airline said the new Cairo-LAX route, a revival of a defeated link canceled in 2001, will now be EgyptAir's longest flight. It is about 7606 miles west and will keep passengers airborne for 15 hours. Cairo-ORD service will be 6,149 miles.

This development is inherently connected to the carrier's ongoing fleet update; beginning in early 2026, the airline will take delivery of up to 15 Airbus A350-900s. According to EgyptAir's management, the new routes require the best product that can be provided, and incoming A350s will deliver on those long, challenging sectors. The A350’s range — which is in excess of 9,700 miles — means that Los Angeles will enjoy “seamless, non-stop” service.

The new routes will bring the airline’s North American network to six destinations. It already flies into New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Toronto (YYZ).

Preliminary slot schedules indicate three to four weekly flights on each route initially, expanding to “operation daily as demand returns.” The airline is also targeting 35 weekly flights, serving five cities in the United States by the start of 2027. The airline currently operates 12 weekly flights.

With regards to the Chicago service, cooperation with Star Alliance member United Airlines is crucial, as ORD is one of the U.S. carrier’s largest hubs and offers perfect connections throughout its network with 1,300 destinations globally. This growth ties into the geopolitical strategy of the country, given that the routes will be transporting expanded trade volumes, with bilateral commerce already in excess of $10 billion a year.