Flights from the US to Kenya: Nonstop and One-Stop Options

There is one nonstop flight from the United States to Kenya: Kenya Airways from New York JFK to Nairobi, about 14 hours on a Boeing 787. Everyone else flies with one stop, through Europe, the Gulf, Istanbul or Addis Ababa. From the East Coast that is a long day; from the West Coast, plan on most of two.

Here is how the options compare, what the eTA involves, and the order to book things in so your flights and safari line up.

The nonstop: New York JFK to Nairobi

Kenya Airways flight KQ3 leaves JFK in the early afternoon and lands in Nairobi the next morning, local time. In October 2026 it runs about five times a week, though frequency changes by season, so check the current schedule on kenya-airways.com before you plan around a particular day.

If you live near New York, or can connect easily into JFK, it is the simplest way to get to Kenya. Morning arrival also works well for a safari: one easy afternoon in Nairobi, then out to the parks the next day.

One-stop routes from the rest of the US

These hubs all have a nonstop onward flight to Nairobi, and between them they connect with almost every major US airport:

The European routes are popular with Americans because you can often connect on your usual alliance, and the overnight transatlantic flight lines up well with a daytime hop to Nairobi. The Gulf airlines often have better fares and fly from cities across the US, though the total journey is usually a few hours longer.

Time zones and jet lag

Kenya is on East Africa Time (UTC+3) all year. That puts Nairobi 7 hours ahead of New York in summer and 8 hours ahead in winter, and 10 or 11 hours ahead of the West Coast. Plan a rest day: an evening arrival followed by a long drive to the Mara the next morning is tiring, and you will enjoy the first game drive more after a proper sleep.

The eTA and other paperwork

US citizens need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization before flying. Apply only on the official site, etakenya.go.ke. The fee is about $30 to $32.50 and processing usually takes around three business days, but the government recommends applying at least two weeks ahead. Your passport needs six months of validity from your arrival date.

Flying through Europe or the Gulf does not trigger Kenya's yellow fever rule. Routing through Addis Ababa with a layover of 12 hours or more could, so keep Ethiopian connections short. Our step-by-step planning guide for American travelers covers vaccinations, money and insurance in more detail.

Book the safari, then the flights

Many of the best Mara camps are small and sell out 6 to 12 months ahead for July to October. Flights rarely do. So confirm the safari first, then book flights that land the evening before your first safari day.

Two more tips. If you add an internal flight to the Mara, Samburu or the coast, bush planes from Nairobi's Wilson Airport allow about 15 kg per person in a soft duffel, carry-on included. And if your international flight is on separate tickets, leave plenty of time at the connection.

How long to stay once you land

After 20-plus hours of travel, a 3-day trip rarely feels worth it. Seven to ten days on the ground lets you see two or three parks properly. Our guide to safari length breaks down what fits into 3, 7, 10 and 14 days, and the cost guide shows what Americans actually pay.

Browse our Kenya safari packages, all priced in US dollars. The 7-day Magical Kenya Luxury Safari is a good first trip, and the 4-day fly-in Masai Mara safari is a good fit if you are adding Kenya to a trip elsewhere in Africa.

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Written byTracey PelhamSenior Safari Consultant at Majestic Kenya Safaris. Tracey holds a degree in Travel and Tourism Management from the University of Nairobi and has spent more than a decade planning safaris, including several years at Ardan Safaris. More about Tracey