The flag carrier of Angola, TAAG Angola Airlines, is launching a new route between Angola’s capital, Luanda, and London Gatwick, with flights beginning December 14, 2023. Tickets aren’t yet on sale, but I can’t wait to snag a seat on this mysterious airline’s stunning 777-300ER.
The route
The new route, discovered by a fantastic airline schedule analyst, @SeanM1997, will operate on the following schedule:
- DT606: Luanda (LAD) to London (LGW), operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- DT607: London (LGW) to Luanda (LAD), operating on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays
Excitingly, this route will be flown by TAAG’s gorgeous Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The plane features 292 seats, laid out across three classes.
- 12 first class seats in 1-2-1 configuration
- 56 business class seats in a 2-3-2 configuration
- 224 economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration
Why this is awesome
You’re probably wondering why I’m excited about a new route between the UK and Angola. Well, TAAG Angola has long fascinated me, for a few reasons:
- It has among the most abysmal service imaginable. Ben over at OMAAT took a flight in first class from Luanda To Sao Paulo and called it one of the worst airlines he’s ever flown, with terrible food and an overtly hostile cabin crew.
- TAAG is the only African airline with a true international first class. The hard product on its 777-300ER actually looks phenomenal.
- TAAG’s aircraft have absolutely beautiful liveries, more resembling an official government plane than a commercial airliner.
I get excited whenever I see TAAG Angola in the news, but I’m particularly excited about this announcement because this new route will make flying the airline much more convenient for me because I’m regularly in London to see family. Currently, TAAG’s only long haul routes on the 777 are from Luanda to Havana, Madrid, Lisbon, Porto, and Sao Paulo, though it has periodically flown to London Heathrow in the past.
6 comments
Why can I only find information on these flight only on this website. I hope it is true, but need to find out more information.
Simple Flying or rather “simplistic flying” made these remarks in their recent article regarding this announcement.
TAAG “are no strangers to London, having previously flown to the UK capital”.
This particular article states that TAAG “have periodically flown to London Heathrow in the past”
FYI…TAAG Angola Airlines have never ever previously served the UK. This will be the first ever scheduled flights by TAAG Angola Airlines between Luanda and London.
British Airways previously flew between London Heathrow and Luanda from 2007 until 2018. British Airways have been the only airline to ever operate scheduled flights between London and Luanda.
The only period in which London saw aircraft from TAAG Angola Airlines was during the late 1970s to the mid 1980s. The former aircraft maintenance company ATEL which was based at London Stansted Airport previously maintained the airlines fleet of Boeing 707s.
I believe TAAG flew between Luanda and Heathrow in 2018: https://aviability.com/flight-number/flight-dt606-taag-angola-airlines
The flight was operated by BA.
I’m sure if Ben had a communist passport, he would’ve received the best treatment imaginable. the ba flight used to be the most expensive flight ba offered.
This is a very good news for Angolans who are living in the UK it can be frustrating when you have to go through other European countries at least it will cut our journey.