United Airlines will launch the first-ever nonstop service between the continental United States and Sapporo, Japan, beginning December 11, 2026, with three-times-weekly seasonal flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to New Chitose Airport (CTS) through March 26, 2027.
Flights depart San Francisco on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (UA234) at 10:30 a.m., arriving in Sapporo at 2:15 p.m. the next day local time. The return (UA235) departs Sapporo at 4:15 p.m. and arrives in San Francisco at 8:25 a.m. One Mile at a Time reports the westbound block time at 10 hours 45 minutes covering 4,796 miles. The service operates on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and United says nearly 80 U.S. cities can connect to the route through San Francisco.
San Francisco International Airport has independently confirmed the route and the three-times-weekly 787-9 schedule. United's service begins six days before Air Canada's companion Vancouver–Sapporo launch on December 17, making winter 2026–27 the first season with any North American nonstop access to Hokkaido. Sapporo is renowned for its annual Snow Festival, the Niseko and Furano ski areas, and Hokkaido's distinctive seafood and ramen cuisine. Business Traveller and Live and Let's Fly independently confirm the December 11 launch date, aircraft type, and frequency.
Sources
- One Mile at a Time — United Airlines Adds Flights to Sapporo
- Live and Let's Fly — United Airlines Adds First-Ever Nonstop Flights From Continental U.S. to Sapporo
- Business Traveller — United Airlines to Introduce Nonstop San Francisco–Sapporo Route in December
- Aviation A2Z — United Adds 2 New Flight Routes to Japan
Sources & references (4)
Things to do at each end of the route
Top-rated tours & experiences in San Francisco and Sapporo.