United adds new flights to Japan, unlocks connections from US to Guam, Saipan, Palau

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

United Airlines will launch new nonstop service from the U.S. mainland to Japan, with flights to Sapporo and Tokyo-Narita.

Taking off on Oct. 24, the new daily service, operating Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita, will unlock easy, one-stop connections for travelers to 21 destinations across Asia-Pacific on United or Joint Venture partner ANA.

Customers can connect on United to cities including Cebu, Guam, Kaohsiung, Palau, Saipan and Ulaanbaatar.

United will be the only U.S. airline offering service between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita, further expanding its position as the only U.S. carrier connecting Chicago to the Pacific region nonstop.

With the two new routes, United will serve five airports in four Japanese cities from its hubs in the continental U.S. and Guam: Sapporo, Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda, Osaka and Nagoya.

"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.

According to the airline's press release, the new service builds on the airline's existing service between Chicago and Tokyo-Haneda, providing travelers with even more ways to travel between the U.S. and Japan.

"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," Quayle said.

United is the main carrier between the continental U.S. and Japan. In 2025, the airline flew more than 1.8 million passengers between the two countries – more than all other U.S. carriers combined.

United will operate up to 13 daily flights from the continental U.S. to four airports in Japan, including Sapporo, Tokyo-Narita, Tokyo-Haneda and Osaka.

Starting Dec. 11, United will launch three times weekly winter seasonal service between San Francisco and Sapporo, marking the first nonstop flights between the continental U.S. and Sapporo.

Flights are expected to operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. United will connect travelers from nearly 80 U.S. cities to Sapporo through its premier Pacific gateway in San Francisco, making it easier than ever to reach this unique Japanese destination.

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