United Opens Chicago–Narita Five Months Ahead of American

United’s new Chicago O’Hare to Tokyo Narita service begins on October 24, flying daily and year-round on a Boeing 787-8. In its announcement, United said it would be the only U.S. airline on the route, and the service was announced subject to government approval.

That exclusivity looks temporary. An industry route list shows American Airlines planning its own Chicago to Narita flight from March 27, 2027, roughly five months after United’s debut. For travelers connecting through Chicago, the next few months are therefore the only stretch with a single carrier choice on the airport pair.

United is also adding a more unusual Japan option. San Francisco to Sapporo starts December 11 as a winter seasonal flight, three times a week from December through March, on a Boeing 787-9. The airline calls it the first nonstop between the continental United States and Sapporo.

Together, the changes mean United will operate up to 13 daily flights this winter from the continental U.S. to four Japanese airports: Sapporo, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Osaka. Bookings for both routes opened when they were announced in May, so the schedules are already on sale on united.com and in the United app.

Sources: United Airlines, Aviation Week