Increased Flight Demand from California to Japan

Flights from California to Japan are seeing a notable surge in demand, leading major airlines to introduce daily nonstop services to the region starting this summer.

San Diego International Airport (SAN) announced that Japan Airlines (JAL) will commence nonstop flights from San Diego to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport on August 1.

With the growing interest in travel between the region and Asia, the frequency of flights from SAN to Narita will rise from four times a week to a daily service, according to an official release.

Officials noted that passenger travel between San Diego and Asia rose by 42% from 2023 to 2025, as people are eager to visit for sightseeing, business, or to see family and friends.

“JAL has been operating nonstop flights from San Diego to Tokyo since 2012,” mentioned Atif Saeed, president and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

He added that over 30 Japanese businesses have invested roughly $8.7 billion in San Diego County since the route was established, highlighting strong economic and defense connections that the increased flights will bolster.

Travelers heading from San Diego to Tokyo’s Narita will also have access to more than a dozen connecting destinations throughout Asia, officials stated.

Tickets for the flights are currently available for purchase.

In a related move, San Francisco International Airport recently announced plans for direct flights to Sapporo, a well-known ski destination in Japan, starting later this year.

United Airlines is scheduled to operate nonstop flights from San Francisco to Sapporo, Hokkaido three times a week beginning December 2026, marking a first for direct flights from the mainland U.S. to a Japanese city.

This service will continue until March 27, coinciding with the peak winter ski season, offering flights to Sapporo, known for its popular ski resorts. There are several resorts in the area, including Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort and Sapporo Bankei Ski Resort.

Patrick Quayle, United Airlines’ senior vice president, mentioned, “Whether our customers are dreaming of skiing in Sapporo, planning a business trip to Tokyo with added sightseeing, or looking for bigger adventures across Asia, United offers more options for travel than any other U.S. airline.”

As for fares, the airline anticipates ticket prices for the 11-hour flight in December to start around $1,500, rising to $1,700 by March.