United Airlines will operate daily nonstop flights between Chicago O'Hare and Tokyo Haneda starting October 12. The service deploys Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners configured with 281 seats including 48 in Polaris business class. Flight UA877 departs Chicago at 11:55 and arrives Haneda at 15:55 the next day.
Return UA878 leaves Haneda at 17:25 and reaches Chicago at 14:55 the same day. The schedule fills a gap left after ANA reduced its own Chicago service in 2025. United projects 95000 passengers on the route in the first 12 months.
Haneda's location inside Tokyo provides 35-minute train access to central districts versus two hours from Narita. United already flies daily from Chicago to Narita but will maintain both airports. The airline added 12 new Asia routes since 2024.
What this means for you
Reserve business class seats now for October travel because introductory fares end September 30. Connect from 40 US cities via Chicago with single-check baggage through to Tokyo. Download the United app to select seats 24 hours before departure for best availability.
Book hotel packages that include Haneda limousine transfers to avoid taxi surcharges after 22:00. Avoid checking bags on the return if connecting to European flights because Haneda security lines average 45 minutes. Monitor United's schedule change notices through November for any time adjustments.
Additional frequencies may launch in 2027 if load factors exceed 82 percent.