United Airlines launched the first-ever nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Maine on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The seasonal route operates once weekly on Saturdays, using the Boeing 737 MAX 8, and is scheduled through September 19, 2026.
The eastbound sector covers approximately 2,731 miles (4,395 km) with a flight time of five hours and 45 minutes; the westbound return takes six hours and 35 minutes — among the longest domestic nonstop distances currently operated by a narrow-body MAX aircraft in the United States, according to Simple Flying. The Portland Fire Department marked the inaugural flights with a ceremonial water salute, WGME reported.
San Francisco International Airport's own route listing confirms Portland (PWM) as a seasonal United destination launching in June 2026, according to SFO's nonstop destination page. Prior to this launch, all travel between Maine and California required a connecting stop, typically through major East Coast or Midwest hubs.
The SFO–PWM route is part of a three-route Maine expansion United launched simultaneously on June 27: a Los Angeles–Portland (Maine) nonstop and a Denver–Bangor (Maine) service were also inaugurated the same day, collectively giving Maine its first-ever direct air links to the US West Coast. The 737 MAX 8 seats 164–166 passengers in a two-class domestic configuration.
Sources
- https://simpleflying.com/united-airlines-debuts-2-brand-new-6-hour-737-max-routes
- https://wgme.com/news/local/portland-travelers-can-now-fly-direct-to-california-maine-travel-portland-international-jetport-los-angeles-san-francisco-united-airlines
- https://www.flysfo.com/nonstop/where-we-fly-united-states
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