Review: Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ E190

After a mildly long travel day transiting from Masai Mara to Zanzibar, we made it to our last flight: Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ. Although the flight was short (as will my remarks), there were indeed some highs and lows to flying Kenya Airways.

The state-owned carrier both impressed me in specific ways while disappointing me in others. While our flight was delayed and did not have a great first impression, we still made it to Zanzibar at a reasonable time. Luckily, they communicated this delay with the passengers on board. 

This article is part of my Trip Report: Starting Summer in East Africa including:

• My Comically Bad Luck Flying to Africa
• No Compensation for an Involuntary Business Class Downgrade?!?
• Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge IAD
• Review: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge IAD
• Review: Lufthansa B747-8 Economy IAD-FRA 
• My First Flight on the Queen: My Thoughts
• Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge FRA
• Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge FRA 
• Review: Lufthansa A330 Business Class FRA-NBO
• Review: DoubleTree by Hilton Nairobi Hurlingham
• Review: Air Kenya into the Safari
• JW Marriott Masai Mara Review: Luxury in the Savannah, a Truly Unforgettable Safari
• Is the JW Marriott Masai Mara Worth $3k a Night?
• Review: Aspire Lounge Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO)
• Review: Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ E190
• Exploring Tanzania: My Thoughts on Zanzibar
• When Flights Don’t Go as Planned: Delayed in Zanzibar
• Review: Air Tanzania ZNZ-ARK
• Mt. Kilimanjaro Day Hike: My Thoughts
• Exploring Moshi, Tanzania: What Everyone Gets Wrong
• Review: Twiga Lounge by Aspire Lounge Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Weirdest Flight Delay I Have Ever Had… 
• Review: Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa Executive Regency Suite
• Exploring Addis Ababa: My Thoughts
• Review: Ethiopian Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge Addis Ababa
• Review: Ethiopian Cloud Nine B787-8 Business Class ADD-IAD
• My 18 Hour Odd Business Class Experience: A Stop in Lome, Togo?

In-flight Experience

Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ is operated by their E190. Economy is a 2-2 configuration, meaning there are no middle seats. I was surprised to find the flight quite full.

The seat itself is a typical economy seat, which definitely showed its age, but it was decently comfortable on the short flight. I was impressed that there were in-flight entertainment screens at every seat, but not so impressed with the entertainment itself. Only two movies were available: Black Panther and Black Adam… hmm.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew came around with a drink service as well as a quick meal service. Despite being a 1-hour 20-minute flight, there were alcoholic options available, including local beers and actual food served. They offered different sandwiches, so I did not partake.  

Shortly after the cabin service, the crew returned to collect trash, and after that, we were on the ground in Tanzania.

Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ Thoughts

We chose this flight primarily because of the convenience of not needing to connect anywhere to get into Tanzania. Despite a short delay of ~30 minutes, I was happy with the flight. 

I was impressed with this short international flight, similar to when I flew Air Link last year. It really shows how much cost-cutting has affected U.S. airlines when it comes to soft products. In the U.S., you do not receive a meal on a 6-hour flight from D.C. to San Francisco, let alone a 1-hour hop. 

I will note that our Yellow Fever vaccines were checked upon landing in Tanzania, although nobody checked them on departure. So, make sure you are carrying one with you to be safe.

Booking Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ

Booking our flights ~1.5 months in advance, the ticket prices for this flight were $247 a person, quite significant for such a short flight (but better than the safari flights for $390).

Rather than use cash, I booked by redeeming 7,000 Air France/KLM Flying Blue miles (Kenya Aiway’s loyalty program is Flying Blue as well) per person with $90 in taxes and fees. Considering the transfer bonus of 25% from Chase Ultimate Rewards when I booked, I only needed to transfer 12,000 points over. Not too bad for a net savings of $314.

However, Kenya Airways has recently come out with its own loyalty program. While they are still part of Sky Team, their loyalty program will no longer be Flying Blue, so redemption rates and availability may change.

The Last Point

Did anything on the flight exceptionally wow me? No. However, Kenya Airways is a solid carrier that comfortably transported us from point A to point B, something I will never complain about. The fact that they included food and in-flight entertainment was a positive note.

I would not hesitate to fly them again, and I am curious to see how redemption rates change as Kenya Airways leaves Flying Blue. Overall, flying Kenya Airways NBO-ZNZ was a success.