Japan Airlines (JAL) will begin offering daily non-stop flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Tokyo's Narita International Airport, a significant increase from its previous four-times-a-week service. This expansion, set to commence on August 1, reflects a substantial rise in passenger travel between San Diego and Asia.
Airport officials reported a 42% increase in passenger travel between San Diego and Asia between 2023 and 2025, driven by tourism, business, and family visits. Atif Saeed, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, noted that JAL has provided nonstop service between the two cities since 2012. He also highlighted the economic ties, stating that over 30 Japanese companies have invested approximately $8.7 billion in San Diego County, with enhanced air service expected to further strengthen these relationships.
Passengers traveling from San Diego to Tokyo-Narita will have access to connections to over a dozen destinations across Asia. Tickets for the new daily flights are currently available.
This development follows a similar expansion announced in May by San Francisco International Airport, which will offer non-stop flights from the Bay Area to Sapporo, Japan, a popular ski destination. United Airlines is scheduled to launch three direct weekly flights from San Francisco to Sapporo starting in December 2026. This service will be the first nonstop route from the continental United States to Sapporo, located on the island of Hokkaido. The flights will operate through March 27, catering to the winter ski season in the region known for its numerous ski resorts.
United Airlines stated that these new routes provide travelers with increased options for reaching destinations in Japan and across Asia. The flights from San Francisco to Sapporo are expected to be approximately 11 hours long, with initial pricing around $1,500, rising to $1,700 by March.