United Airlines Launches 11 New International Routes This Winter

The routes include three long-haul services from San Francisco to Sapporo, Los Angeles to Osaka, and SFO to Okinawa.

By SafarSamachar Desk4 Nov 2026, 2:00 am IST

Illustration

Illustration: SafarSamachar Pix Desk, created with AI assistance. Not a photograph of the event.

Key facts at a glance

1United Airlines is launching 11 new international routes this winter.
2The new routes include three long-haul services from San Francisco to Sapporo, Los Angeles to Osaka, and SFO to Okinawa.
3United now serves 25 destinations in Mexico from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

United Airlines is launching 11 new international routes this winter, with three of them being long-haul services. These include flights from San Francisco to Sapporo, Los Angeles to Osaka, and SFO to Okinawa.

During this time, United will operate an average of 350 daily international departures, a 2% increase compared to last winter. In addition to the long-haul routes, United is also expanding its presence in Mexico, now serving 25 destinations from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

This includes the return of flights to Tuxtla Gutiérrez after a 13-year absence and the resumption of service to Chihuahua in the summer of 2027.

The new routes will be operated using a mix of regional jets and narrowbody aircraft, with some routes seeing both types of equipment. For example, the 50-seat CRJ550 will be used on a route from Monterrey starting February 11, 2027, while the ERJ145 will be used on a route to Puebla.

Six routes will see both regional jets and non-RJ narrowbodies, while nine will not use regional jets at all. These new routes reflect United's continued expansion in international markets and its focus on long-haul services as the second-largest long-haul carrier in the world.

What this means for travellers

Travellers planning winter trips from the US may find new options with United Airlines, including routes to Japan and expanded service to Mexico. Check United's schedule for details on the new routes.

Sources

This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above, following our accuracy rules; it has not yet been individually reviewed by an editor. Read our editorial policy.Rules and schedules change - confirm with the airline or embassy before you travel. Spotted an error? Tell us.