United Is Sending San Francisco Flights to Two Virginia Cities Few Expected

United Airlines is adding two unusual transcontinental routes from San Francisco: one to Norfolk and one to Richmond, both in Virginia. They are the kind of smaller-market pairings that rarely get nonstop service, which is why they stand out in the airline’s latest round of schedule additions.

The details are specific. San Francisco to Richmond starts March 28, 2027, operating Thursdays and Sundays. San Francisco to Norfolk begins March 31, 2027, flying Wednesdays and Saturdays. Neither is daily, so they are aimed at weekend and visiting traffic rather than commuters.

United is also adding a new Mexico route, with daily service from Houston to Chihuahua beginning March 28, 2027. The announcement joins three other routes the airline added in October 2026, suggesting a steady drumbeat of network tweaks as it fills its spring schedule.

For travelers in Virginia and in the Bay Area, the appeal is skipping a connection at a hub such as Washington or Chicago. Because these are limited-frequency flights, it pays to check the specific days of operation before booking, and to keep an eye out for introductory fares once they go on sale.

Sources: Upgraded Points