United Launches 2 New Japan Flights: First U.S. Nonstop to Sapporo, Plus Chicago to Tokyo Narita

Updated: May 14, 2026, 8:20am CDT

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Table of Contents

United’s New Routes to Japan
How To Book
Final Thoughts

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United Airlines is doubling down on Japan this winter with 2 exciting routes across the Pacific. The carrier announced today that it will launch the first-ever nonstop service from the continental U.S. to Sapporo, in Japan’s prime ski region, plus a new daily flight between Chicago O’Hare and Tokyo Narita.

Together, the routes give United even more bragging rights as the largest U.S. airline flying to Japan — a position it already holds by a wide margin. In 2025, United carried more than 1.8 million passengers between the U.S. and Japan, more than every other U.S. carrier combined. Now it expects to carry even more people to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Here are the details of these new routes and how to book them.

United’s New Routes to Japan

The more exciting addition today is San Francisco (SFO) to Sapporo (CTS), which kicks off December 11, 2026, and runs 3 times a week through the winter season. This is the first nonstop service from the continental U.S. to Sapporo, and United will fly it with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. For skiers eyeing the legendary powder in Hokkaido, ramen lovers, or anyone wanting to catch the Sapporo Snow Festival, this is a much faster way to get there than the usual one-stop slog through Tokyo or Seoul (ICN).

It’s worth noting that United isn’t the only carrier expanding to Sapporo this winter. Air Canada is also launching seasonal flights to Sapporo starting December 17, giving North American travelers 2 fresh nonstops to Hokkaido within a week of each other.

United 787 9 Elevated Rear Polaris Cabin Center and Window Seat — United’s newest Elevated seats on some Boeing 787 aircraft. Image Credit: Nick Ellis

The second new route is Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Narita (NRT), starting October 24 as a daily, year-round service. United will be the only U.S. carrier flying nonstop between Chicago and Narita, and the flights are slated to operate on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The route complements United’s existing Chicago-Tokyo Haneda (HND) service, giving Midwestern travelers 2 daily ways to get to Tokyo.

The Narita addition is the more interesting flight for those seeking onward travel. United says the new flight unlocks 1-stop access from Chicago to 21 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region on United and joint venture partner ANA, including spots like Cebu (CEB), Philippines; Guam (GUM); Kaohsiung (KHH), Taiwan; Palau (ROR); Saipan (SPN), Northern Mariana Islands; and Ulaanbaatar (UBN), Mongolia.

With these 2 additions, United will serve 5 airports across 4 Japanese cities — Sapporo, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda (HND), Osaka (KIX), and Nagoya (NGO) — from its continental U.S. and Guam hubs. At peak, the airline expects to operate up to 13 daily flights from the continental U.S. to Japan this winter.

How To Book

Flights are already available for paid bookings on united.com and the United app. Unfortunately, bookings with United MileagePlus miles aren’t available yet. They should be available later today, though.

Here’s what we’re seeing with cash pricing:

San Francisco to Sapporo:

Economy starts around $975 one-way.
Business class starts around $3,700 one-way.

Chicago to Tokyo Narita:

Economy starts around $1,035 one-way.
Business class starts around $4,400 one-way.

United pricing ORD HND new route — United is pricing its own flight above business class with ANA on the same route. Image Credit: United Airlines

Award availability hasn’t been published yet, but United historically releases saver-level Polaris business class seats on new long-haul routes when they first go on sale. It’s worth checking early if you’ve been sitting on a pile of MileagePlus miles or transferable points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards. Partner award space through ANA Mileage Club and Air Canada Aeroplan is also worth watching, since both can occasionally undercut United’s own pricing in miles.

The Sapporo flight in particular is one to jump on early. Three weekly frequencies on a 787-9 is not a lot of capacity for a route that ski travelers, snow festival fans, and Hokkaido foodies have been waiting on for years. Premium cabins will likely fill up quickly.

Hot Tip:

Take a look at our guide to the best ways to fly to Japan with points and miles.

Final Thoughts

United continues to look like the most aggressive U.S. carrier in the Pacific, and these new routes back that up. The Sapporo flight gives U.S. travelers a long-overdue direct way to get to one of Japan’s best winter destinations, and the Chicago-Narita addition fills an obvious gap for connecting traffic into Asia.

If a Japan trip has been sitting on your wish list, this is a good moment to start putting a plan together. Between United’s new flights, Air Canada’s Sapporo launch, and the usual mix of ANA and Japan Airlines options, North America’s nonstop access to Japan is in better shape than it’s been in years.