Kenya Airways Boosts Nairobi–Heathrow Capacity with Boeing 777-300ER Upgrade

The larger aircraft brings more passenger seats and cargo capacity to Kenya Airways' flagship UK route, supporting tourism, business travel and trade between Britain and East Africa.

Kenya Airways has increased capacity between Nairobi and London Heathrow following the return of its Boeing 777-300ER to the route. The aircraft operated its first reinstated international service to Heathrow on 17 July 2026, marking a notable step in the airline's long-haul growth plans.

The 400-seat Boeing 777-300ER is Kenya Airways' largest passenger aircraft and offers considerably more space than the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner normally used on the route, which carries approximately 234 passengers. The move marks one of the airline's most significant capacity upgrades on its flagship British service in recent years.​​​​​​​

Kenya Airways continues to run seven flights a week between Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and London Heathrow. Five of those weekly services are now scheduled to use the larger Boeing 777-300ER, while the remaining flights will continue to be operated by the Boeing 787-8.

The Boeing 777 deployment is currently scheduled to run until 24 October 2026, though aircraft plans may be adjusted according to operational requirements. Flight KQ100 departs Nairobi at 9:05 am and lands at Heathrow at 4:15 pm. The return service, KQ101, leaves Heathrow at 6:25 pm and arrives back in Nairobi at 5:00 am the following morning.

The change represents an increase in available seats rather than an additional flight. Using the larger aircraft on five weekly services could add around 830 seats in each direction every week compared with operating those flights entirely with the smaller Dreamliner.​​​​​​​

The extra capacity may make it easier for UK passengers to secure direct flights to Kenya during busy travel periods. Nairobi is an important destination for business travellers, people visiting friends and relatives, safari holidaymakers, and passengers connecting onward across the continent.

From Nairobi, travellers can continue to destinations across East Africa, meaning the improved capacity may also benefit passengers heading to countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia, in addition to those travelling directly to Kenya. Kenya Airways has previously described the UK as a key market for tourism, education, trade, business travel, and diaspora connections.​​​​​​​

The reinstated Boeing 777 forms part of Kenya Airways' wider effort to restore capacity and strengthen its international network. Acting Chief Executive George Kamau had previously confirmed the airline's plans to add capacity to its London Heathrow operation in response to growing demand from Europe and other international markets.

For UK travellers, the upgrade means more seats on one of the most important direct routes between Britain and East Africa. Those looking to make the most of the extra availability can speak with Crystal Travel's travel agents, who can check aircraft type and schedule details at the time of booking.