United Adds Nonstop Service to Sapporo, New Flight Between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita

United announced it is expanding its service to Japan with new flights to Sapporo and Tokyo-Narita this winter.

San Francisco → Sapporo (CTS)
- Launches December 11, 2026
- Operates 3 times weekly during the winter season (December–March)
- First-ever nonstop flights from the continental U.S. to Sapporo
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Perfect for travelers seeking skiing, Sapporo’s famous ramen, Hokkaido seafood, and the Sapporo Snow Festival

Chicago O’Hare → Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
- Starts October 24, 2026
- Operates daily, year-round
- United will be the only U.S. airline offering nonstop service on this route
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Provides easy onward connections across Asia via United and ANA (destinations include Cebu, Palau, Ulaanbaatar, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and more)

Broader Impact
- United will serve five airports in four Japanese cities: Sapporo, Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Osaka, and Nagoya.
- This winter, United plans up to 13 daily flights from the continental U.S. to Japan.
- In 2025, United carried 1.8 million passengers between the U.S. and Japan—more than all other U.S. carriers combined.

Why It Matters
- Travelers gain more flexibility for both leisure and business trips.
- Sapporo becomes a new gateway for winter tourism.
- Chicago gains stronger connectivity to Asia through Narita, complementing United’s existing Haneda service.