United Airlines announced on 25 August 2026 what it is calling the biggest international network expansion in its history — and two of the new routes head directly to Japan. From March 2027, travellers in the United States will have the first-ever nonstop service to Okinawa, and a brand-new direct connection from Los Angeles to Osaka.
San Francisco to Okinawa: A First for US Aviation
The San Francisco–Naha route launches on 27 March 2027, with three flights per week aboard a Boeing 777-200ER. The schedule operates on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing SFO at 10:35 and arriving in Okinawa the following day at 15:50 local time. Return flights leave Naha at 17:50 on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing back in San Francisco at 12:50 the same day.
United will be the only US carrier flying nonstop on this route. For anyone who has previously had to connect through Tokyo or Osaka to reach Okinawa, this is a significant development — it cuts a door-to-beach journey that could take 20-plus hours down to a single long-haul flight.
Okinawa sits at the southern tip of Japan, far removed from the mainland’s crowds. The Okinawa region offers a distinct culture, its own culinary traditions, warm turquoise water, and a slower pace than Tokyo or Kyoto — it has long been undersold to international visitors partly because of the logistical hurdle of getting there.
Los Angeles to Osaka: Second New Japan Route
United will also add a Los Angeles–Osaka service from the same start date, giving the US West Coast a second Japan option beyond its existing Tokyo routes. Osaka is the gateway to the Kansai region, covering Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe — a natural draw for travellers who want Japan without the Tokyo crowds.
What This Means for Planning Your Trip
These routes go on sale imminently. Travellers with Osaka or Okinawa on their bucket list should check United’s website for launch fares, which historically offer better pricing in the first weeks of sales. Okinawa’s peak season runs from June through August — March is a shoulder period with mild weather and fewer crowds, though cherry blossoms elsewhere in Japan will be approaching peak.
For full practical information on flying to Japan, including what to expect at entry and how to navigate onward connections, see our dedicated guide.