- Joe Breitfeller
United Applies to Become the First U.S. Carrier Offering Direct Service From Houston to Tokyo-Haneda
United Airlines has today announced that they have filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for daily nonstop service between Houston Intercontinental and Tokyo-Haneda airports.

On Thursday (November 9, 2023), United Airlines announced that they have filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for daily nonstop flights between Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Tokyo-Haneda Airport (HND). If approved, United will become the first U.S. carrier offering direct service on the route. The route will benefit Houston’s growing population of over 240 Japanese affiliated companies, as well as consumers across the Southern U.S.
In Thursday’s announcement, United Airlines’ SVP – Global Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle, said,
“Between its steadily growing population and its booming energy and innovation sectors, the Houston area has transformed into a critical hub for both business and leisure travel. If awarded by the DOT, this new service will enhance travel options to Tokyo Haneda for consumers across the Southern United States, and strengthen the economic partnership between Japan and more than 240 affiliated businesses in the greater Houston area.”
United currently offers multiple flights to Tokyo (Narita and Haneda) from all seven of their U.S hubs. The carrier is the largest airline in Houston, with over 14,000 employees and more than 400 daily departures, including 70 daily international departures.
At United Airlines, ‘Good Leads the Way.’ The airline operates the most comprehensive network among North American carriers with U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. As measured by available seat miles (ASMs), United is now the world’s largest airline. Shares in the company’s parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., are publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol ‘UAL.’
Source: United Airlines/PRNewswire