United adds nonstop service to Sapporo, new flight between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita | News
United has announced it is expanding its service to Japan this winter with new flights to Sapporo and Tokyo-Narita. The airline will launch the first nonstop service from the continental US to Sapporo, Japan and will be the only US carrier to offer nonstop service between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita*. As the leading airline between the US and Japan, these new flights offer travelers from across North America more ways to explore Japan and connect across Asia.
“Whether customers dream of skiing in Sapporo, planning a business trip to Tokyo with some exploring thrown in, or an even bigger adventure through Asia, United offers travelers more ways to get there than any U.S. airline,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Global Alliances, United Airlines. “Our new nonstop service from San Francisco to Sapporo makes it easier to vacation in one of Japan’s most unique destinations, while our new Chicago to Tokyo-Narita service offers business and leisure travelers a premium onboard experience and the flexibility to continue their journey through Asia with United to exciting destinations like Cebu, Palau and Ulaanbaatar, or further afield with our joint venture partner ANA to cities like Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.”
United is the largest airline between the continental US and Japan. In 2025, the airline flew more than 1.8 million passengers between the two countries – more than all other U.S. airlines combined. This winter, United will operate up to 13 flights each day from the continental US to four Japanese airports, including Sapporo (CTS), Tokyo-Narita (NRT), Tokyo-Haneda (HND) and Osaka (KIX).
San Francisco to Sapporo, Japan
Beginning December 11, United will launch three times weekly winter service between San Francisco (SFO) and Sapporo (CTS), marking the first nonstop flights between the continental US and Sapporo. Sapporo offers travelers a whole new way to experience Japan in winter, from fresh powder for world-class skiing to a rich culinary scene with must-try dishes like Sapporo ramen and Hokkaido seafood. The city is also home to the iconic Sapporo Snow Festival, where it transforms into a winter wonderland.
The flights are expected to be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. United will connect travelers from nearly 80 U.S. cities to Sapporo through the main Pacific gateway in San Francisco, making it easier than ever to reach this unique Japanese destination.
Chicago to Tokyo-Narita
United will launch new daily, year-round service between Chicago O’Hare and Tokyo-Narita beginning October 24. United will be the only U.S. carrier to offer flights between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita, further expanding its position as the only U.S. carrier connecting Chicago to the Pacific region nonstop. The new service builds on the airline’s existing service between Chicago and Tokyo-Haneda, giving travelers even more ways to travel between the US and Japan.
The new Tokyo-Narita flight offers travelers convenient one-stop connections to 21 destinations in the Asia Pacific with United or Joint Venture partner ANA. Customers can connect to cities like Cebu, Guam, Kaohsiung, Palau, Saipan and Ulaanbaatar on United. The new flights between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita are expected to operate with a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
With the two new routes, United will serve five airports in four Japanese cities from its hubs in the continental US and Guam: Sapporo (CTS), Tokyo-Narita (NRT), Tokyo-Haneda (HND), Osaka (KIX) and Nagoya (NGO). The airline offers the most flights to Japan of all US airlines and flights to 33 destinations in the Pacific.
Flights can be booked later today on united.com and the united app.
*Subject to government approval
