United to launch first non-stop flight from the US to Okinawa, add Los Angeles-Osaka route

United Airlines will expand its presence in Japan next year (2027) with the addition of a new route connecting Los Angeles and Osaka, and introduce the first regularly scheduled non-stop flight from the US mainland to the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

Part of what United describes as its largest expansion in its history, United revealed it will launch its new route between San Francisco and Naha (Okinawa) on March 27 with three weekly flights departing every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The first return flights will depart Naha every Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday. Boeing 777-200ER aircraft will be used on the new non-stop route to Okinawa.

From San Francisco, the outbound flight to Naha UA833 will depart at 1035H and arrive the following day (March 28) at 1550H. The first return flight will then depart as UA834 from Naha at 1750H before arriving back at San Francisco at 1250H.

Along with the new San Francisco-Okinawa flights, United will also add to its services to Osaka with a new route from Los Angeles also starting on March 27. Operating daily using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, the new Los Angeles-Osaka route will complement United’s flights to the city from San Francisco and Guam.

The outbound Los Angeles-Osaka route will depart as UA801 at 1440H before arriving at Kansai Airport at 1850H the following day (March 28). The return flight UA802 will depart Kansai at 2050H and arrive back at Los Angeles at 1525H.

Okinawa is one of 10 newly announced international destinations across Europe and Asia that will join United Airlines’ network in 2027. Other newly announced destinations include flights from Newark to Luxemburg, Ljubljana, Olbia, Catania, Ibiza, Velencia, Marseille, and Terceira. A direct route between Washington Dulles and Toulouse will also be launched next year.

According to United, the highly anticipated delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft will support the launch of new destinations in Europe next year such as Ibiza, Luxembourg, Marseille, Toulouse and Valencia.

United will add flights on connecting Washington Dulles and Milan, and between Denver and Paris. The airline will also restart flights between San Francisco and Tel Aviv on March 28, 2027.