San Francisco International Airport welcomes United Airlines' announcement of its first direct flight between Sapporo and San Francisco.
San Francisco Tourism Association
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the gateway to the West Coast of the United States, welcomes United Airlines' announcement of a direct flight to and from New Chitose (CTS) as a further expansion of its international network. The route will begin service on December 12, 2026, as a winter seasonal service with three flights per week, and will be the first direct flight connecting Hokkaido with the continental United States.
On August 18, 2026, a joint press conference was held at the former Hokkaido Government Building (Sapporo City) by the Hokkaido Prefectural Government and United Airlines, with the participation of Mike Nakonket, CEO of San Francisco International Airports. The press conference featured Stephen Morrissey, Vice President of International Regulatory and Policy at United Airlines; Naomichi Suzuki, Governor of Hokkaido; Masao Yamazaki, President and CEO of Hokkaido Airports Co., Ltd.; and Andrew Lee, Minister Counselor for Economic and Scientific Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Japan.
Great expectations were expressed that the launch of this route would further revitalize tourism, business, education, and cultural exchange between Japan and the United States. Towards the end of the presentation, a gift exchange and photo session took place, creating a warm atmosphere celebrating the opening of the new route.
The first direct flight connecting Hokkaido and the continental United States.
United Airlines will launch its first direct flight between New Chitose and the continental United States on December 12, 2026, operating three times a week for the winter season only. The Boeing 787-9 will be used on this route. The aircraft will have a total of 257 seats, including 48 United Polaris SM Business Class seats with full-flat seats and direct aisle access.
From San Francisco International Airport, you can connect to approximately 80 cities across the United States.
For travelers from Japan, San Francisco is a vibrant gateway to the US West Coast, a melting pot of business, innovation, and culture. In addition to direct access to Silicon Valley and major international conferences, travelers can enjoy sophisticated dining, sporting events, world-renowned wine regions like Napa Valley and Russian River Valley, and iconic waterfront attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. Furthermore, by connecting through SFO, a major Pacific hub for United Airlines, travelers from Hokkaido can enjoy smooth connections to approximately 80 cities across the United States.
New Chitose – San Francisco Route Launch Commemorative Campaign
To commemorate the launch of its New Chitose-San Francisco route, United Airlines is holding a campaign where 235 people will win prizes , in honor of flight number "UA235". Prizes include round-trip tickets on the New Chitose-San Francisco route in United Polaris, United Premium Plus, or Economy Class, as well as original United Airlines and San Francisco merchandise. You can enter the drawing by adding United Airlines' official LINE account as a friend between August 18th and October 31st, 2026. For campaign details, please visit https://japan.united.com/ctssfocp1 .
Comment by Mike Nakonket, CEO of San Francisco International Airport
"Since 1954, SFO has been proud to connect Japan and the United States, and now we are opening an exciting new chapter with the first-ever direct flight connecting Hokkaido with the continental United States. This route will open up new possibilities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange."
We are delighted that United Airlines has chosen SFO as our valuable partner, and we are grateful for their continued partnership to date. We look forward to welcoming many travelers from Hokkaido to San Francisco for many years to come.
About United Airlines
United Airlines' motto is "Good Leads The Way." Centered around its hub airports in the continental United States—Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.—United Airlines operates the most extensive global network among U.S. airlines and is currently the world's largest airline in terms of available seat miles. For more information about United Airlines' careers, please visit www.united.com/careers, and for more information about United Airlines, please visit www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, is listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "UAL."
About the San Francisco Tourism Association
The San Francisco Tourism Board is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. The city is one of the leading tourist and conference cities in the United States, attracting more than 23 million visitors annually. By 2025, total tourism-related spending is projected to generate $9.4 billion for the San Francisco economy, supporting the creation and retention of approximately 64,000 jobs.
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About San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Francisco International Airport is committed to providing an exceptional airport experience through seamless access, thoughtful amenities, sustainable design, and inspiring artwork and exhibits. For more information on San Francisco International Airport flights, airport maps, shopping, dining, ground transportation, and more, please visit https://www.flysfo.com/ja .
Source: https://prtimes.jp/