EgyptAir announced plans to add two major new US routes in 2026, with nonstop flights from Cairo to both Los Angeles and Chicago, but those routes are now official and flight schedules published.
EgyptAir Is Coming To Chicago And Los Angeles With New Nonstop Flights
EgyptAir has filed schedules for new Cairo (CAI) service to Los Angeles (LAX) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD), each operating three times per week. Tickets are not yet for sale.
EgyptAir Cairo – Los Angeles Schedule
EgyptAir plans to launch CAI-LAX service as of May 23, 2026, with 3x weekly flights
| Flight | Route | Departure | Arrival | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS983 | Cairo (CAI) – Los Angeles (LAX) | 8:30 AM | 1:20 PM | 3x weekly (Mon, Thu, Sat) |
| MS984 | Los Angeles (LAX) – Cairo (CAI) | 5:25 PM | 5:10 PM+1 day | 3x weekly (Mon, Thu, Sat) |
At 7,605 miles, the LAX route will become EgyptAir’s longest route and is blocked at 14 hours, 50 minutes westbound and 13 hours, 45minutes eastbound. The flight is well-timed from Los Angeles to mitigate jet lag.
EgyptAir Cairo – Chicago Schedule
EgyptAir plans to launch CAI-ORD service as of June 21, 2026, with 3x weekly flights. Times below are local.
| Flight | Route | Departure | Arrival | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS947 | Cairo (CAI) – Chicago (ORD) | 12:50 AM | 5:15 AM | 3x weekly (Sun, Wed, Fri) |
| MS948 | Chicago (ORD) – Cairo (CAI) | 10:30 AM | 5:40 AM+1 day | 3x weekly (Sun, Wed, Fri) |
This 6,148 mile flight is blocked at 12 hours, 25 minutes westbound and 11 hours, 10 minutes eastbound. I find the flight scheduled from Chicago frightfully early, but the Cairo – Chicago flight is timed perfectly to maximize rest onboard.
EgyptAir is expected to operate both routes with the Airbus A350-900 with 30 seats in business class and 310 in economy class. The business class seat will be similar to the 787-9, though it will include closing doors and updated technology. I flew that product from Washington Dulles to Cairo in business class and reviewed it here, then from Cairo to London in economy class and reviewed it here.
> Read More: EgyptAir 787-9 Business Class Review
> Read More: EgyptAir 787-9 Economy Class Review
Are These Routes Viable?
EgyptAir is the flag carrier of Egypt and fully state-owned. As such, profitability isn’t necessarily the focus, though Egyptair has reported “unprecedented” profitability for the last two fiscal years.
When it comes to Los Angeles, EgyptAir won’t be alone. Royal Air Maroc is also launching service to Los Angeles (from Casablanca) and will compete with EgyptAir for connecting traffic from Northern Africa.
> Read More: Los Angeles Is Getting Two New Nonstop Routes To Africa
While Los Angeles County purportedly has over 740,000 residents who would identify as being from a North African and Middle Eastern (MENA) population, I have to imagine such a route will be difficult, even with cooperation from United.
Chicago, meanwhile, is more central and a huge hub for United. The flights are also well-timed for onward connections.
CONCLUSION
EgyptAir is set to add nonstop service from Cairo to both Los Angeles and Chicago in 2026. Los Angeles launches May 23, 2026, while Chicago launches June 21, 2026, with each route operating three times per week. I didn’t have a great experience on EgyptAir in business class during the pandemic and would very much like to give the carrier another try now that we are well past that low-point in recent history.
My 9-year-old son Augustine has somewhat outgrown is fascination with Egypt, but I hope a trip to Cairo and Luxor might reinvigorate that interest in history and archeology.
I’ve probably been to Cairo 20 times. Maybe more. I’d even say I actually like the place. But does anybody in Los Angeles need to get to Cairo so bad that they’d choose this over just connecting in LHR/FRA/DOH/DXB/AUH/CDG/AMS/IST? I just don’t think EgyptAir needs to operate flights this long.
I’ve been to Egypt seven times myself. So much to see in Cairo and Giza, so much to see in Luxor, and great diving in the Red Sea.
I would greatly prefer a nonstop and a lie-flat seat even on a dry airline to connecting onto a Eurobiz equipped narrowbody via LHR on BA or FRA on LH or ZRH on LX, to give three examples. Those connecting flights are unpleasant four-to-five-hour journeys either after or before a transatlantic.
Somewhat surprised the CAI-LAX flight departs at 8:30 a.m. That may make some potential regional or domestic connections tight or impossible (although MS runs more than its fair share of short-haul redeyes). It seems like that flight could depart at 9:30 a.m. and still have time to make a reasonable turn at LAX.