On Wednesday afternoon, a crowd of excited aviation enthusiasts and travellers gathered at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to witness a momentous occasion in East African aviation.

Taxiing majestically along the runway was a mountain of polished metal, newly emblazoned with the familiar green, red, and black curves of Kenya Airways – the national carrier affectionately known as the “Pride of Africa.”

The aircraft, a massive Boeing 777-300ER registered as 5Y-KZX, has returned home to Kenya after a decade of service flying international routes under a long-term lease agreement with Turkish Airlines.

Its repatriation marks a key milestone for the airline as it expands its long-haul passenger capacity to meet rising global travel demand.

To celebrate the aircraft’s return and offer local passengers a unique preview of its flagship wide-body experience, Kenya Airways organised a special, one-time domestic flight between Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa.

The airline ran the flight with heavily 50 per cent discounted promotional tickets, allowing local families, tourists, and aviation fans to experience the luxury of a long-haul giant on a brief regional hop.

The Mombasa crew-familiarisation flight took off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at approximately 3:00 pm.

The 400-seat behemoth climbed gracefully into the skies, completing the short transit to the coast and landing at Mombasa’s Moi International Airport at exactly 3:40 pm.

After a brief stopover on the coastal tarmac, during which ground crews and onlookers admired the sheer scale of the twin-engine jet, the plane prepared for its return leg.

Departing Moi International Airport at 5:00 pm, the aircraft made its smooth journey back to the capital, touching down at JKIA at 5:40 pm.

The maiden round-trip on Wednesday was a singular event, serving as the sole domestic flight of the aircraft’s homecoming tour.

Inside the 400-seat behemoth

The Boeing 777-300ER represents a substantial step up in scale and comfort for Kenya Airways’ passenger fleet.

Measuring nearly 74 meters in length with a wingspan of 64.8 meters, it is a high-volume workhorse designed to connect continents seamlessly.

The interior of the aircraft is designed to maximise both comfort and volume, accommodating 400 passengers in a spacious dual-class configuration.

The front cabin features 28 premium Business Class seats arranged to offer maximum privacy.

Each seat easily converts into a fully flat bed, allowing travellers to arrive at their destinations completely refreshed.

Moving into the main cabin, passengers are greeted by an expansive 372-seat Economy Class layout.

To enhance the long-haul travel experience, each seat is outfitted with modern touch-screen entertainment systems, dedicated USB ports, and accessible charging outlets, ensuring comfort for the hours ahead.

Nairobi to London

Following its successful domestic debut, the aircraft is transitioning directly to its primary intercontinental mission.

Starting Friday, July 17, 2026, the twin-engine giant will officially take over four of the airline’s seven weekly flights on the highly popular Nairobi-to-London route, providing a significant boost to both economy seating and premium business class options for travellers heading to the United Kingdom.

The service will run four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Kenya Airways has structured the flight profile to offer optimal convenience for both business and leisure travellers:

The return of the Boeing 777-300ER to active service under the Kenya Airways banner is a proud development for regional aviation, symbolising a period of strong operational growth and a commitment to delivering world-class, high-capacity long-haul travel.