African Airlines may conjure some primitive images to those passengers who are strangers to the daily flights on its West African routes. This may be due to lack of information and ignorance, a lot of indigenous airlines that ply the various routes in West Africa are world-class carriers. Some of these airlines have won the World Airline Awards; which is an international benchmark of airline excellence.
This article will help you feel at ease so that the next time you travel around West Africa, you can travel in any of the following top African Airlines. These airlines are certified, trustworthy and are members of the various global airline alliances.
1. South African Airways
South African Airways is Africa’s world-class airline that won the 2014 Best Airline in Africa in the World Airline Awards at Farnborough International Airshow. It offers passengers comfort and luxury in its flights on its West African routes. The airline is a full member of the Star Alliance and it is managed very well by the owners. It offers its regional network to Western, Southern and East Africa.
2. Gambia Bird Airline
Gambia Bird Airlines helps you discover comfort at excellent value prices when it flies you to some of the vibrant and attractive destinations in West Africa. Whether you are travelling for pleasure, family travel or business, the airline settles you with an exceptional flight experience in its luxurious inflight and personalized service.
3. Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways got your flight to West Africa fully covered with its world class facilities and flights. It is member of Sky Team, the Kenya’s flag carrier and the Sub-Saharan African’s third biggest airline, owned partly by Air-France KLM and the government of Kenya. Its routes include; Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
4. Tunis Air
Tunis Air was the first airline in Africa to purchase Airbus A319, its frequent flyer is Fidelys and it is a member of Arab Air Carriers Organization with its major hub at Tunis-Carthage International Airport. It is the flag carrier of Tunisia and has destinations across Africa including West Africa. If you are looking for an airline that is classy with modern facilities, you should be thinking about Tunisair.
5. Egypt Air
Egypt Air is one of African airlines’ global players with improved routes, airplanes and cheap flights. It has rebounded after its 2004 crash and is currently a member of the Star Alliance. It serves some major cities in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and others. Its in-flight service is one of the best passengers can experience during any flight in West Africa.
6. Aero Contractors
Aero Contractors is an indigenous Nigerian airline that offers flights to some major cities in West Africa. Over the years, the airline has increased its aircraft to some of the best in Africa and offers passengers an excellent flight service.Its main hub is the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria.
7. Asky Airlines
It offers passengers an extensive network of world class services across West Africa. Asky Airline is one of those airlines that you would always see across some major cities in West Africa.
8. Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines was formerly called Ethiopian Air Lines (EAL), the flag carrier of Ethiopia and a member of the International Air Transport Association, African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and Star Alliance. It has its hub at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, and it flies passengers to more destinations than other airlines in Africa. In 2011, it was awarded‘The African Cargo Airline of the Year’. Its frequent flyer is ShebaMiles, which rewards passengers with miles and other benefits.
9. Royal Air Maroc
Safar Flyer is the frequent flyer of Royal Air Maroc, the national carrier of Morocco, with its headquarters at Casablanca-Anfa Airport. It is often used as Hajj official airline and one of the best in Africa. It is constantly expanding its fleets and has a partnership with airlines Iberia and Etihad Airways;it offers car rental and hotels benefits too.
10. Air Côte d”Ivoire
Air Côte d”Ivoire is the flag carrier of Ivory Coast with its main hub at Port Bouet Airport and ‘sMiles’ is its frequent flyer program. A refreshing flight across the skies of West Africa is what this airline offers every passenger travelling across West Africa.