United Airlines, a major U.S. carrier based in Chicago, will launch new daily nonstop service between the United States and Costa Rica beginning in May.

"The increase in frequencies and destinations in the United States allows us to provide our customers with a diverse network of travel options," said Frederick Thome, United Airlines’ Latin America Sales Manager.

According to the Tourism Institute (ICT), the new route will connect San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in California with Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Alajuela Province, Costa Rica. The flights will operate without any layovers or aircraft changes.

The daily service will be operated using a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which accommodates 166 passengers. Departures from San Francisco are scheduled for 11:35 p.m. PT, arriving in Costa Rica at 7:15 a.m. local time. The return flight departs SJO at 8:45 a.m. and arrives in San Francisco at 2:35 p.m. PT.

Additional details, including booking information and schedule updates, will be available on United Airlines’ official website.

United is among several airlines expanding service to the country. Recently, the Colombian low-cost airline Avianca has introduced new nonstop flights connecting Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) with Miami International Airport (MIA) in Florida.

Last month, SJO launched a $62 million expansion project, aimed at enhancing services for the growing number of travelers passing through the country’s busiest airport.

Tourism is a key sector of Costa Rica's economy. The country welcomed over 2.6 million tourists by air in 2024, a 7% increase compared to 2023.

In 2024, Costa Rica earned over $5.4 billion in foreign exchange from tourism, according to the Central Bank’s data.

ICT promotes tourism and supports infrastructure development.

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