New York to Nairobi (JFK–NBO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
JFK–NBO is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Kenya Airways leads the route. The flight covers 7,356 miles in approximately 14h. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KQ Kenya Airways | 7 | 788 | 14h | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
JFK: EDT · NBO: EAT
When it's 6:00 PM in New York, it's 1:00 AM (next day) in Nairobi.
US passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Kenya. Apply at etakenya.go.ke at least 72 hours before travel. The eTA costs $30 (single entry) or $50 (transit) and allows stays up to 90 days per visit within a 3-month validity window. Upload a passport scan, a recent photo, proof of accommodation, and a return ticket. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least 2 blank pages. Kenya phased out the older eVisa system in late 2024.
The eTA replaced Kenya's previous visa regime with a simpler online process. At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi or Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa, present your printed or digital eTA confirmation at immigration. Biometrics are captured. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Kenya itself has yellow fever risk zones, so the vaccine is worth getting regardless. Safari parks operate year-round: the Masai Mara is famous for the wildebeest migration (July to October), while Amboseli offers Kilimanjaro views and Tsavo is Kenya's largest park.
Direct flights from New York JFK to Nairobi run about 15 hours on Kenya Airways. Other US cities connect through European or Middle Eastern hubs: London (about 8 hours 30 minutes to NBO), Amsterdam (about 8 hours), or Dubai (about 5 hours). Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES), trading at roughly 129 KES per $1. M-Pesa mobile money is the dominant payment method and is accepted at shops, restaurants, taxis, and even market stalls. Tourists can register for M-Pesa with a local Safaricom SIM card. Card payments work at hotels and larger restaurants. Matatus (minibuses) are the main urban transport at KES 50 to KES 100 ($0.40 to $0.80) per ride in Nairobi.
The AirTrain connects JFK to the NYC subway and Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station (Howard Beach is the other connection point). Subway fare plus AirTrain totals $9.25 from midtown Manhattan; allow 60–75 minutes. LIRR from Penn Station takes 25–30 minutes to Jamaica, then 8–10 minutes on AirTrain; total fare around $10–15 depending on time of day.Taxis from Manhattan to JFK are a flat rate of $70 plus tolls and tip ($85–95 all-in). Ride-shares cost $45–80 depending on traffic and time of day. A dedicated express rail (JFK Connect) has been proposed but does not exist yet.
JFK–NBO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from JFK to NBO
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) are connected by nonstop service from Kenya Airways. With 7 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
JFK to NBO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from JFK to NBO is about 14 hours gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 7,356 miles (11,837 km). There are approximately 7 weekly flights outbound and 7 return, totaling 14 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Frankfurt Main, Charles de Gaulle and London Heathrow. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.