Last checked: November 2026
Most international flights to Angola arrive at Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ), about 40 km from central Luanda. The older Quatro de Fevereiro airport (LAD) no longer handles commercial flights, so check the airport code on your ticket. Flying from London to Luanda takes about 11 to 13 hours including a stopover, according to the World Travel Guide.
Which Airport Do International Flights Use?
| Airport | City | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. António Agostinho Neto International (NBJ) | Luanda | The main international gateway, in Bom Jesus, about 40 km from the centre |
| Quatro de Fevereiro (LAD) | Luanda | Closed to commercial flights from 1 March 2026 |
The new Luanda airport was inaugurated on 10 November 2023 and has two runways. According to ANGOP, it was built to handle 15 million passengers a year. Airlines moved in stages, and by March 2026 all airline operations had transferred from the old airport to NBJ. Other Angolan airports mainly serve domestic routes, which our getting around Angola guide covers.
Which Airlines Fly to Angola?
Carriers listed at Luanda include TAAG Angola Airlines, Air France, TAP Air Portugal, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, ASKY Airlines and Airlink, along with others. Routes and frequencies change, so use the airline’s website or a flight search to confirm what’s flying on your dates. We don’t list flight times for individual routes, because they vary by season.
How Do You Get From the Airport to the City?
The airport is outside the city, so the drive can take a while in traffic. Ask your hotel to arrange a transfer. The UK FCDO says to use pre-booked taxis and to book airport taxis in advance through your hotel or tour operator. Keep valuables out of sight, and don’t accept rides from unofficial drivers at the arrivals area.
What Are the Best Booking Tips?
- Compare fares across several searches, and look at one-stop and two-stop options.
- Fly in the shoulder months, May or September, if you want to avoid the busiest dry-season dates.
- Allow a long gap between a domestic arrival and an international departure. A buffer day is safer.
- Check the UK Air Safety List before you book a lesser-known airline, because it names airlines banned from UK services.
- Confirm that your ticket shows NBJ, not LAD, as the Luanda airport.
What Time Zone Does Angola Use?
Angola uses West Africa Time (UTC+1) all year, with no daylight saving changes. That puts it an hour ahead of the UK in winter and level with it in summer. If you’re connecting through Namibia, remember that Namibia is one hour ahead of Angola.
Which Route Should You Choose?
- Choose a direct or one-stop flight to Luanda if time matters. Airlines from Europe, the Gulf and Africa connect to the capital.
- Choose a Gulf connection if you’re flying from South or Southeast Asia and want one hub change.
- Choose an African hub connection if you’re coming from elsewhere on the continent, such as Johannesburg or Addis Ababa.
Before You Fly: Checklist
- Passport valid for at least six months, with blank pages.
- Visa status confirmed on the Angola visa guide for tourists.
- Yellow fever certificate in your hand luggage, in case you’re asked for it.
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover.
- Airport code checked: NBJ for Luanda.
- Hotel transfer booked, with the driver’s contact details.
- Copies of your passport, visa and itinerary saved offline.
Common Mistakes
- Booking a ticket to the wrong Luanda airport code.
- Leaving a tight connection between a domestic arrival and an international departure.
- Arranging a taxi on arrival instead of in advance.
- Not checking the latest safety advice. Read the UK travel advice and the US advisory before you buy tickets.
Quick Answers
Which airport do I fly into? For Luanda, use Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ).
How long is the transfer to the city? The airport is about 40 km out, and the drive depends heavily on traffic, so plan for extra time.
Is Luanda’s old airport still open? Not for commercial flights. It closed to them on 1 March 2026, and all airlines now use NBJ.
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Flights to Angola FAQs
Are there direct flights to Angola from Europe?
Airlines such as Air France and TAP Air Portugal have been listed with services to Luanda. Direct routes change, so check your departure city on the airline websites and compare them with one-stop options.
Is Luanda’s old airport still open?
A 2026 airport guide says the older Quatro de Fevereiro airport stopped commercial flights on 1 March 2026, and that airline services now use NBJ. Confirm with your airline before you travel.
What time zone is Angola in?
Angola uses West Africa Time, which is UTC+1 all year round. There’s no daylight saving time, so the difference with Europe changes between summer and winter.
Do I need a return ticket to enter Angola?
Immigration may ask for proof of onward travel. Some visa guides also list a return ticket as a requirement, so carry one and check the official e-visa platform for your category.
