United Airlines announces groundbreaking new nonstop route from San Francisco to Sapporo, Hokkaido
A second new daily service will link Chicago O’Hare and Tokyo-Narita year-round
Airline now offers 13 daily flights to Japan—more than all other U.S. carriers combined!
Get your skis ready! United Airlines has just changed the game for winter travel, announcing a historic new route that will fly Americans directly to the heart of Japan’s world-famous powder snow.
In a move that cements its status as the king of the Pacific, the airline revealed it will launch the first-ever nonstop service between the continental U.S. and Sapporo, Japan. Starting December 11, travelers can ditch the messy connections and fly straight from San Francisco to the gateway of Hokkaido’s legendary ski resorts and the iconic Sapporo Snow Festival.
But the good news doesn’t stop at the slopes. For those heading to the bright lights of the capital, United is also launching a brand-new daily, year-round service between Chicago O'Hare and Tokyo-Narita starting October 24.
A Winter Wonderland Awaits
The new Japan expansion means United will fly up to 13 times every single day to the Land of the Rising Sun. Whether you’re a business mogul or a "powder hound" looking for the world's best skiing, United is making it easier—and more luxurious—than ever.
"Whether customers are dreaming of skiing in Sapporo, planning a business trip to Tokyo with some exploration added in, or an even bigger adventure across Asia, United gives 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 gives business and leisure travelers a premium onboard experience and the flexibility to continue their journey across Asia on United to exciting destinations like Cebu, Palau and Ulaanbaatar, or onward on our joint venture partner ANA to cities like Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur."
The Ultimate Way to Fly
United isn't just adding routes; they are adding style. The new route to Sapporo will be operated by the state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, famous for its large windows and lower cabin altitude that helps beat jet lag.
Route | Start Date | Frequency | Aircraft |
San Francisco (SFO) to Sapporo (CTS) | Dec 11 | 3x Weekly | Boeing 787-9 |
Chicago (ORD) to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) | Oct 24 | Daily | Boeing 787-8 |
Dominating the Skies
The statistics are staggering. In 2025 alone, United carried a massive 1.8 million passengers to Japan—more than all other U.S. airlines put together.
With these new additions, United will serve five Japanese airports (including Tokyo-Haneda, Osaka, and Nagoya), providing seamless connections to 21 other destinations across Asia, including exotic hotspots like Palau, Ulaanbaatar, and Cebu.
From the "Windy City" to the "City of Neon," and from the Golden Gate to the snow-capped peaks of Hokkaido, United Airlines is officially the undisputed bridge between America and Asia.
Tickets are expected to fly off the shelves when they go on sale later today at united.com!