Cheap flights to Lilongwe
The main air hub of Malawi's capital is Lilongwe International Airport, located 22 kilometers from the city center. Direct flights connect the capital with 8 cities, providing convenient access to the East and South Africa region. The highest passenger traffic arrives from Johannesburg (27 flights per week), Nairobi (20 flights per week), and Addis Ababa (14 flights per week). Regular flights are also operated from Entebbe, which expands options for planning complex itineraries.
Currently, 7 airlines operate flights to Lilongwe, dominated by major African and international carriers. The leading positions in terms of passenger volume are held by Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways, providing stable connections to the continent's largest hubs. For a detailed look at available flight options, departure city cards with a search form are provided below on the page. Information on how to get there, an up-to-date travel guide, and weather details can be found in the relevant sections of our website.
Blantyre — Lilongwe
Johannesburg — Lilongwe
Entebbe — Lilongwe
Dar es Salaam — Lilongwe
Nairobi — Lilongwe
Harare — Lilongwe
Lusaka — Lilongwe
Addis Ababa — Lilongwe
Accra — Lilongwe
Flight insights to Lilongwe
Data-driven trends for direct flights to Lilongwe — how often airlines fly, where passengers come from, and typical fares and flight times.
Most frequent departure cities
The most frequent direct routes to Lilongwe come from Johannesburg, Nairobi and Addis Ababa. Johannesburg leads with around 27 flights a week.
- Johannesburg27 flights/week
- Nairobi20 flights/week
- Addis Ababa14 flights/week
- Entebbe8 flights/week
- Harare5 flights/week
Top departure countries
Most direct flights to Lilongwe depart from South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia. South Africa alone accounts for about 33% of all direct routes.
- South Africaavg $283
- Kenyaavg $278
- Ethiopiaavg $485
- Ugandaavg $286
- Zimbabweavg $252
Direct routes & fares
Popular non-stop routes to Lilongwe range from Harare at $252 to Addis Ababa at $485 — a quick way to compare direct-flight fares.
- Johannesburgfrom $283
- Nairobifrom $278
- Addis Ababafrom $485
- Entebbefrom $286
- Hararefrom $252
Cheapest departure cities
The cheapest places to fly to Lilongwe from right now are Blantyre from $60, Harare from $252 and Nairobi from $278.
- Blantyrefrom $60
- Hararefrom $252
- Nairobifrom $278
- Johannesburgfrom $283
- Entebbefrom $286
Longest direct flights
The longest direct flight to Lilongwe is from Bahir Dar at about 4h 10m, followed by Cape Town (3h 57m) and Port Louis (3h 51m).
- Bahir Dar4h 10m
- Cape Town3h 57m
- Port Louis3h 51m
- Addis Ababa3h 50m
- Victoria3h 50m
Popular departure cities to Lilongwe
South Africa
Kenya
Ethiopia
Uganda
Zimbabwe
Malawi
Tanzania
Zambia
South Africa
Kenya
Tanzania
Rwanda
South Africa
Tanzania
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
Kenya
Zimbabwe
South Africa
Burundi
Lesotho
Mozambique
Botswana
Zambia
South Africa
Mozambique
South Africa
Mauritius
Zimbabwe
Kenya
Kenya
Botswana
Madagascar (Malagasy)
Tanzania
Namibia
Tanzania
South Africa
Somalia
Congo Democratic Republic Of
Ethiopia
Mozambique
Congo Democratic Republic Of
Tanzania
Tanzania
Mozambique
South Africa
South Africa
Seychelles Islands
Tanzania
Zambia
Mozambique
Mozambique
South Africa
Mayotte
Namibia
Eswatini
Angola
South Africa
EthiopiaFrequently asked questions
- How many cities have flights to Lilongwe?
- Currently, regular flights to Lilongwe are available from 8 cities. The majority of flights operate from major African transport hubs, allowing for convenient connections when flying from other parts of the world.
- Which cities have the most frequent flights to Lilongwe?
- The most popular routes are Johannesburg (27 flights per week), Nairobi (20 flights), and Addis Ababa (14 flights). A significant number of flights are also operated from Entebbe and Harare, ensuring high frequency throughout the week.
- How many airlines fly to Lilongwe?
- Seven airlines operate flights to the capital of Malawi. Major carriers like Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Airlink handle the bulk of the traffic, with Emirates and Qatar Airways also serving these routes.
- Which airports serve flights to Lilongwe?
- All international and domestic flights are handled by Lilongwe International Airport (LLW). This airport is located about 22 kilometers from the city center and can be reached by taxi or transfer.
- When is the best time to buy tickets to Lilongwe?
- It is recommended to start searching and booking tickets 2–3 months before your planned trip. This is especially important for travel during high season when demand for flights from major African carriers increases significantly.
- How can I find cheap flights to Lilongwe?
- To find the best deals, consider flights with layovers in Addis Ababa or Johannesburg. Comparing offers from the various airlines listed on this page will help you find the best option in terms of cost and travel time.