Egyptair Launches First-Ever Cairo Service At O’Hare

Egyptair Launches First-Ever Cairo Service At O'Hare

The route makes Chicago the carrier's fourth destination in North America

CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) joined the Egyptian flag carrier EGYPTAIR and representatives from the Egyptian consulate at O'Hare International Airport today to celebrate the launch of new nonstop service from Chicago to Cairo International Airport (CAI).

"I couldn't be prouder to welcome EGYPTAIR to O'Hare to connect Chicagoans to the vibrant cultural experiences, historic landmarks and wonders of the world that Egypt has to offer," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "Continuing flights out of Cairo also offer our great city access to tourism and economic opportunities throughout Africa and the Middle East."

EGYPTAIR will operate the Chicago to Cairo service three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight is scheduled to arrive at O'Hare at 5:15 a.m. and depart at 10:30 a.m. on a 340-seat Airbus A350-900, configured with 30 Business Class seats and 310 Economy Class seats.

"EGYPTAIR is a historic carrier with a long track record of connecting the African continent to rest of the globe," CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray said. "I'm proud to welcome them to the network of air carriers that has consistently made O'Hare the best-connected airport in the United States and the busiest airfield in the world."

The route marks Chicago's second passenger route to Africa following Ethiopian's launch of service to Addis Ababa in June 2018. It is the city's first nonstop connection to North Africa, and Cairo International Airport provides connecting service to Saudia Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and other destinations throughout the Middle East.

"Launching nonstop service between Chicago and Cairo represents a strategic step forward in EGYPTAIR's global growth journey," said Captain Mohamed Elian, EGYPTAIR AIRLINES Chairman & CEO. "With three weekly flights operated by our state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900, this route enhances connectivity not only between Egypt and the United States but also to our extensive destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East. It underscores our commitment to modern, sustainable flights and to positioning Cairo as a premier hub linking continents."

With the launch of the Cairo route, EGYPTAIR is the 16th Star Alliance carrier to operate at O'Hare.

The connection also underscores Chicago's historic ties to Egypt. The city has been home to a large and well-established Egyptian-American community since the 1950s and hosts one of only five Egyptian consulates in the United States.

"We are proudly celebrating the launch of EgyptAir direct route between Cairo and Chicago for the first time ever, as a culmination of efforts deployed throughout years. Relations between Egypt, Chicago and the Midwest date back to the last century. Operating Egypt Air between Cairo and Chicago comes to mark a landmark achievement to consolidate the relations between Egypt and the United States," said H.E. Nada Draz, Consul General on Egypt in Chicago. "By establishing this service, the route Cairo - Chicago becomes the fourth direct destination of the National Airlines to the States. It enhances the connectivity between the two countries and facilitates movement of people and business. It also links many Egyptians to their homeland and encourages people living in the Midwest to discover Egypt's wonders and access the African continent. It is with honor and great pleasure for us here at the Egyptian Consulate in Chicago to welcome EgyptAir in Chicago."

"Cairo is a city for which I have deep affection, and this new nonstop service brings Chicago closer to one of the world's most important cultural and commercial centers," said Phil Clement, President and CEO of World Business Chicago. "For the business community, direct air service is economic infrastructure. It accelerates trade, investment, tourism, and talent exchange, while strengthening Chicago's connections across Africa and the Middle East. This route reflects the depth of Chicago's global relationships and creates new opportunities for businesses, institutions, and communities across our region."

Chicago-based institutions and companies with significant operations in Egypt include Oxford Capital Group, ADM, Simon-Kucher, and the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute, which has operated "Chicago House" in Luxor since 1924 to document and preserve ancient Egyptian artifacts and inscriptions. In 2024, Illinois ranked seventh among U.S. states in both imports from and exports to Egypt by dollar value, underscoring the state's significant economic and trade relationship with the country.

EGYPTAIR is one of the world's earliest air carriers - when it was established in 1932, it was the seventh airline in the world and the first in Africa.