United Releases Business Award Seats on Inaugural Cape Town Flight

In what's arguably one of the airline's most exciting route announcements to date, United will be launching nonstop service between Newark (EWR) and Cape Town, South Africa (CPT) on December 15, 2019.

Previously, the carrier's business-class cabin was completely sold out on that very first flight, but United just opened up a handful of seats. There are at least nine available to book at the time of this writing.

Unfortunately there aren't any deals to be had — if you're paying cash, expect to spend at least $8,400 on a round-trip ticket, with some return flights costing a whole lot more.

One-way award rates are sky-high, too — since this route doesn't launch until after United's redemption changes kick in, you'll need to redeem 300,000 miles to secure a lie-flat seat on the inaugural, worth $3,900 based on TPG's most recent valuations.

Also, it's worth noting that as of now, United's listing its old 2-2-2 business-class product on this route, since it will be operated by a 787-9 Dreamliner. That aircraft will eventually get the new Polaris seat, with a 1-2-1 arrangement, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the older seat on this inaugural flight.

Given the excitement around this particular route, the inaugural flight should be quite an event — a party before departure, upon arrival in Cape Town and of course onboard will make for a very special trip to South Africa.