United Airlines launched its inaugural direct service between Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Cebu, Philippines, marking a significant expansion of its Asian network.
The first flight arrived at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) at 9:53 p.m. Sunday after a four-and-a-half-hour journey from Tokyo. The Boeing 737-800, bearing registration N35260 and configured with 166 seats, received a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival.
The return flight to Tokyo departed at 10:11 a.m. Monday following a ceremonial event at MCIA Terminal 2, attended by local aviation stakeholders and airline representatives.
The regular schedule sees United flight 32 departing Narita at 5:30 p.m., arriving in Cebu at 10:05 p.m. The return service, United flight 33, leaves Cebu at 9:30 a.m., reaching Narita at 3:15 p.m.
The new route offers convenient connections to Los Angeles under the same flight numbers, with the Narita-Los Angeles segment operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
This service is part of United’s winter 2024 expansion, which includes new destinations such as Marrakesh, Morocco, and Medellin, Colombia. The carrier plans to launch flights to Dominica in early 2025.
Aside from Cebu, United also serves the Philippines with flights from Manila to Guam, Koror, and San Francisco.
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