United Airlines Launches 6 New Nonstop Routes In Only 9 Days: See Full List Now

Published Nov 15, 2026, 1:00 PM EST A graduate in German, Jake has a passion for history and regional aviation, and enjoys sampling new carriers and aircraft. He has visited OEM facilities as far and wide as Bristol, Toulouse, and Seattle, and recently enjoyed the milestone of flying his 150th sector as a passenger. Based in Norfolk, UK. With the IATA Winter Season now in full swing, United Airlines is preparing for a busy December. In mid-December, the Chicago-based US 'big three' legacy carrier and Star Alliance founding member is set to launch operations on six new international routes over nine days, from December 11 to 19. These new services will depart from four of its hubs, serving short-and long-haul routes. Most of the additions are centered on seasonal winter leisure demand to destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The first of the new routes to take off, however, is a notable exception, as it serves a Japanese destination seeing a boom in long-haul demand from North America, with Air Canada also about to start flying there. Let's take a look at United's new routes. Going Long United will commence operations on its new long-haul route from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to New Chitose Airport (CTS) in Sapporo, Japan on December 11. The carrier plans to serve this route three times a week using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner widebody twinjets, with passengers from nearly 80 US cities able to connect to these flights through United's San Francisco hub. Sapporo has been upwardly mobile as a long-haul destination from North America of late, largely thanks to its prestige as a gateway for winter sports. North of the US border, United's Star Alliance neighbor Air Canada is also tapping into this demand, with seasonal flights from Vancouver to Sapporo launching on December 17. Patrick Quayle, United's SVP of Network Planning, spoke about the new long-haul route. "United gives travelers more ways to get there than any US airline. Our new nonstop service from San Francisco to Sapporo makes it easier to vacation in one of Japan's most unique destinations." Three Additions On December 17 Credit: Robin Guess | Shutterstock Three of United's winter route additions are set to take place on the same day, namely December 17. On that day, the carrier plans to begin operating a very short-term seasonal route from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica. Served daily by 737 narrowbody twinjets, these flights will only run until January 4, 2027. United Airlines' New Routes Hub Destination(s) Denver International Airport (DEN) Providenciales George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Cartagena, Santo Domingo San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Sapporo Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Cartagena, Liberia Elsewhere, a longer-term route from Washington DC that United will begin serving on December 17 will link IAD to Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) in Cartagena, Colombia. According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, these flights, which are also set to be operated by 737s, will initially run four times a week before jumping to five in April 2027. Loading map… Drag to explore The same aircraft and frequencies will be seen on the third of United's new routes starting on December 17, which also serve Cartagena. In this instance, the corridor in question originates at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Both Houston and Washington Dulles are key hubs for United, meaning that these flights will likely see plenty of connecting traffic. The Final Two Credit: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock In the two days that follow United's triple addition on December 17, the carrier plans to commence operations on a further two new routes. Starting on December 18, the airline will fly from Houston to Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo. This seasonal service to the Dominican Republic will be short-lived, with just eight rotations: six in December and two in January. These flights are set to be operated by 737 MAX 8s, while, last but not least, the 737 MAX 9 will begin serving United's new flights from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Providenciales on December 19. These seasonal flights to the Turks and Caicos Islands will operate on a weekly basis until late April, offering seats for 20 business class and 159 economy class guests.