Cabo Verde has launched its inaugural flight to Washington DC. The route took flight yesterday, connecting Sal Island to Washington DC with a Boeing 757. The new route will be operated three times per week.

Today has seen a huge number of inaugural flights including Emirates' first flight to Mexico, and Jetstar's Dreamliner flight connecting the Gold Coast and Seoul. However, looking at another Atlantic crossing, Cabo Verde has launched a non-stop connection between the Island of Sal, and the capital of the United States. However, the inaugural flight to Washington DC arrived over an hour late.

The schedule

Cabo Verde is due to operate its Washington DC connection three times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flights, operated by a Boeing 757 aircraft, are due to operate to the following schedule:

  • VR692 is scheduled to depart from Sal Island (SID) at 09:00 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Following the 7-hour 45-minute flight, the aircraft is due to touch down in Washington DC (IAD) at 12:45 local time.
  • VR693 is scheduled to depart from Washington DC at 07:45 the next day having spent 19 hours on the ground. Following a 7-hour and 35-minute flight, the Boeing 757 is set to touch down in Sal at 19:20 in the evening. The extended stay in Washington allows the return flight to be operated as a day flight.
Cabo Verde Airlines, Washington DC, Sal
The flight, unfortunately, arrived in Washington over an hour late. Image: FlightRadar24.com

The inaugural flight

However, the inaugural flight didn't get off to the start Cabo Verde had hoped, instead arriving in Washington DC over an hour behind schedule. Things weren't so bad on the departure, however. The aircraft departed from Sal at 09:35, marking a 35-minute delay.

Following an 8-hour and 19-minute flight the 30-year-old Boeing 757, registered as D4-CCG, touched down in Washington DC at 13:54. This marks a total delay to the aircraft's arrival of 1-hour and 9-minutes.

Cabo Verde Airlines, Washington DC, Sal
Cabo Verde will operate the flight three times a week. Photo: Cabo Verde Airlines

The southern stopover?

Cabo Verde Airlines used the launch of its new Washington connection to highlight its position as a southern stopover point between the United States of America and Africa, Europe, and South America.

From its Sal hub, Cabo Verde flies to four different continents. These are Africa, Europe, South America, and North America. The airline offers connecting passengers the opportunity to stopover on the Cabo Verde islands for up to seven days.

Cabo Verde Airlines, Washington DC, Sal
Cabo Verde serves four continents, making it the perfect gateway between East and West. Image: Cabo Verde Airlines

This is at no additional cost to the price of an immediate connection. This, as such, allows passengers who may not usually consider visiting Cabo Verde the opportunity to explore the islands.

Would you use the Cabo Verde Islands as stopover? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!