United Airlines is set to “expand its Africa route network with the introduction of a new nonstop year-round three-times weekly service between Dakar and Washington, D.C., the airline’s first ever service between Senegal and the United States.”

According to the airline, “starting 24 May 2025 (subject to government approval), United will be the only airline connecting Dakar with Washington, D.C., and next year will fly from more destinations in Africa than any other U.S. carrier.”

The introduction of flights from Dakar to Washington D.C. for 2025 comes as United this year expands its presence in Africa, adding Marrakesh, Morocco to its network from 25 October 2024.

The airline says its new service to Dakar will “help further Africa’s growing tourism industry, which has seen 13 per cent more arrivals in the first quarter this year compared to the same period in 2023, according to the UN Tourism.”
Marcel Fuchs, Managing Director International Sales, United Airlines said: “Travellers from Senegal will benefit from a direct service to the U.S. capital, as well as the possibility to connect seamlessly via our Washington Dulles hub to 65 destinations across the Americas, whilst our U.S. customers can take advantage of Dakar’s central location on Africa’s west coastline, making it the perfect gateway to Africa with pristine beaches, lush forests and rich archaeological history.”

The new route from Dakar to Washington D.C. is part of United’s "largest international expansion in its history, adding 11 new flights and eight new destinations for customers next summer.”