United Adds First Mainland Nonstop to Sapporo (simpleflying.com)

United Airlines will launch the first nonstop service from the US mainland to Sapporo, Japan, on December 11, flying three times weekly from San Francisco to New Chitose Airport on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The 4,811-mile route bypasses Tokyo layovers and targets winter sports travelers heading to Hokkaido's ski resorts and the Sapporo Snow Festival. Air Canada is starting a similar route from Vancouver just ahead of United.