Kenya Airways' biggest passenger jet returns home after decade-long lease

Kenya Airways has officially brought home its largest passenger jet, a Boeing 777-300ER, following the conclusion of a decade-long sublease to Turkish Airlines.

The massive 400-seat wide-body aircraft touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the national carrier’s strategy to aggressively rebuild its post-pandemic network capacity.

"Our Boeing 777-300ER has officially returned to our fleet, marking another milestone as we continue connecting Africa to the world. Karibu nyumbani," the national carrier wrote on X.

She's home!

Our Boeing 777-300ER has officially returned to our fleet, marking another milestone as we continue connecting Africa to the world.

Karibu Nyumbani.#ThePrideOfAfrica #KQB777 pic.twitter.com/vuETcWzU0l

— Official Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) July 7, 2026

To celebrate the repatriation of the flagship aircraft and handle essential crew-familiarisation procedures, the airline announced a temporary deployment on its busiest domestic corridor, with a staggering 50% discount.

“Up to 50% OFF return fares! Fly the icon @KenyaAirways Boeing 777 between Nairobi & Mombasa from 12th-16th July 2026,” read a KQ promotional post seen on X on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

The 777-300ER offers a 70 per cent increase in passenger capacity compared to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners that currently form the backbone of the airline's long-haul network.

Furthermore, its expansive belly hold can transport up to 20 containers, effectively doubling the cargo space of the Dreamliner and providing a major boost for Kenyan exporters shipping perishable goods like cut flowers, avocados, and tea to international markets.

Following the brief domestic stint, the aircraft will transition to its primary long-haul assignment on July 17, 2026, when it begins scheduled operations on the prestigious Nairobi to London Heathrow route.

The airline plans to deploy the jet on this highly competitive corridor to capture surging summer travel demand and strengthen connectivity between East Africa and Europe.