Nonstop flights from U.S. to Okinawa return after 54 years, making travel faster than before

United Airlines is set to resume direct flights from the United States to Okinawa, Japan, after a 54-year hiatus. The new nonstop service to Naha Airport, the main gateway to Okinawa, will be the first of its kind since the islands were returned to Japanese control in 1972, following 27 years of U.S. administration after World War II.

United's Boeing 777-200ER aircraft will make the journey from San Francisco to Naha in approximately 13 hours and 15 minutes, departing on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The return service will take off from Naha at 5:50 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, landing in San Francisco at 12:50 p.m. on the same day. Flights to Osaka will also see a daily nonstop connection from Los Angeles, starting on March 27, 2027.

This development is significant for travelers, as it eliminates the need for multiple layovers and provides easier access to Okinawa's tropical beaches and U.S. military bases. The new route also offers a less-visited alternative to Japan's popular Tokyo destinations. Currently, Naha's international nonstop network primarily serves Asia, with services to countries like Taiwan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, making the U.S. connection a notable expansion of the island's long-haul international offerings.