United Airlines has been putting up fierce competition against rival major U.S. airlines recently. Back in October, the carrier added Starlink before American and Delta Air Lines, which still don’t offer the high-speed internet service as of May 14.
Now, United is adding two new nonstop flights from the United States to a country that is consistently ranked as the best in the world for travel. Both of these routes are a first for U.S. airlines as well.
United Airlines Adds 2 New Nonstop Routes To Top-Ranked Tourist Destination
Starting on October 24, the Chicago-based carrier will add a year-round daily nonstop route from the Windy City to Tokyo-Narita, Japan. On December 11, the second route will start operating as a tri-weekly seasonal winter service from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to New Chitose Airport (CTS) in Sapporo, Japan’s top ski destination.
The latter route will mark the first nonstop flights from the U.S. to Sapporo. The Tokyo route will also mark the first time a U.S. carrier operates a nonstop flight between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Narita International Airport (NRT) — the second-busiest airport serving Tokyo. Meanwhile, these flights come at a time when Japan is being ranked very highly as a tourist destination.
In 2026, Japan was ranked as the country with “the best conditions for a good travel experience,” according to Canada-based travel planning outlet World Travel Index. Flying will be luxurious as well, since the new United routes will use newer aircraft.
The Sapporo route is expected to use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, while the new Tokyo-Narita flights are slated to operate on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
Patrick Quayle, United Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Global Alliances, described the new Japan routes in a statement as an expansion that beats out rival U.S. carriers’ offerings.
“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,” Quayle said.
As of May 14, both routes are available to book on United Airlines’ website. So, how much will these new flights cost?
Pricing For United Airlines’ New Flights To Japan
For those interested in booking, there are four price points available for these flights, from cheapest to most expensive: Economy, Economy Plus, Premium Plus, and Polaris.
As of May 14, travelers booking a one-way ticket for the October 24 inaugural flight to Tokyo-Narita will pay $1,470 for the cheapest option and at least $6,776 for the most expensive seating choice, United Polaris. In contrast, the least expensive option for a round-trip departing on the same day and returning on October 30 will cost $2,020.
On the other hand, the cheapest one-way ticket to Sapporo on its December 11 inaugural flight will cost $1,387, while a standard Polaris ticket costs $5,910. And a round-trip departing on the same date and returning on December 17 will cost at least $2,858.
All of these flights offer the same seat tiers listed above; however, the Sapporo flight doesn’t have the lowest ticket tier, which offers the fewest perks.
The Sapporo flights only offer United Economy Standard and Flexible, while the Tokyo route offers United Economy Basic.
So, what are the differences? Basic doesn’t allow seat upgrades, changes, or earning MileagePlus miles, and passengers must pay a fee to select a seat. In addition, it includes only one free checked bag, rather than the two in United Economy Standard.
It’s important to note that free checked bags are only offered at these tier levels for long-haul international flights; travelers flying domestically will have to pay a $35 fee for one bag if they prepay. So, what’s the full breakdown of these options?
Other Differences In United Airlines Seat And Ticket Options
For those looking to get a step up from Economy but not quite Polaris, there are Economy Plus and Premium Plus offerings. However, there are important differences in these options. United’s Premium Plus seats, located near the front of the economy cabin, offer up to 7 extra inches of legroom compared to standard economy, while Economy Plus provides about 3 extra inches.
Premium Plus seats also recline up to 3 inches farther, compared to about 1 extra inch in Economy Plus. Premium Plus passengers also get additional perks, including adjustable leg and footrests, personal power outlets and USB chargers, larger 13-inch entertainment screens, and upgraded bedding.
On select long-haul international flights, the fare also includes upgraded dining, while premium transcontinental domestic routes come with complimentary hot meals, snacks, and alcohol. Economy Plus passengers, meanwhile, still have to pay for premium alcoholic drinks on domestic flights.
Premium Plus tickets also include priority check-in and boarding, access to dedicated security lanes where available, and two free checked bags — perks not included with Economy Plus fares.
Lastly, what about Polaris? This spring, United introduced a new Base tier for the premium option, but it doesn’t appear to be offered on either of these routes.
Polaris Tiers
Standard | Flexible |
✓ Seat Selection | ✓ Seat Selection |
✓ 2 checked bags | ✓ 2 checked bags |
✓ 1 carry-on bag | ✓ 1 carry-on bag |
✓ United Club | ✓ United Club |
✓ United Polaris lounge | ✓ United Polaris lounge |
✓ Flight changes | ✓ Flight changes |
✓ Upgrade (to United Polaris Studio for a fee) | ✓ Upgrade (to United Polaris Studio for a fee) |
× Refund (Eligible for travel credit) | ✓ Refund (Fully refundable) |
So, as United continues expanding its international network and trying to outpace rivals like American and Delta, the airline is now betting that demand for Japan is strong enough to add a new region and daily flights to Tokyo’s secondary airport.
