United Airline. Photo: Bradley Caslin / Shutterstock.com United Airlines has launched a Japanese-language version of its mobile app, becoming the first major U.S. airline to offer a fully translated app in Japanese, with support for Japanese yen and local payment options.
The update is designed to make it easier for customers in Japan to manage their journeys, from booking flights to navigating connections and tracking baggage. The move expands United’s digital services in a market where the airline operates one of the largest U.S. networks.
The Japanese-language app allows users to search for flights, make reservations, check in, access boarding passes, receive real-time flight updates and track checked baggage. It also provides navigation assistance for airport connections in the United States and information to help travelers prepare for arrival.
Customers whose iPhone or Android device is set to Japanese will automatically see the app in that language. United said it completed the translation manually and had Japanese linguists and local experts review it to ensure the wording is natural and relevant.
The language update also makes United’s existing mobile tools accessible to Japanese-speaking customers. These include Virtual Gate, which displays boarding progress, and real-time baggage tracking. The app can also automatically move eligible passengers to a more preferred seat if one becomes available before departure.
For connecting passengers, personalized directions provide guidance to onward gates, estimated walking times and live flight information. United’s ConnectionSaver technology monitors tight connections and assesses whether an aircraft can be held without causing unnecessary disruption to other passengers.
Other features include automatic rebooking options during eligible disruptions, standby waitlists for earlier flights, airport maps and the Travel-Ready Center, which helps passengers review travel documentation requirements.
United also offers live flight information on compatible iPhone screens and Apple Watch devices, allowing travelers to view updates such as boarding countdowns, gate numbers and seat information without opening the app.
According to the airline, more than 85% of its customers use its mobile app on the day they travel. The Japanese-language launch follows the introduction of Spanish-language capabilities in 2024.
The airline is also preparing additional services. Daily flights between Chicago O’Hare and Tokyo Narita are scheduled to begin on October 24, 2026. Seasonal service between San Francisco and Sapporo is planned from December 11, followed by new services to Okinawa and Osaka in March 2027.
United has served Japan for more than 40 years and employs over 460 people in the country. The airline carried more than 1.8 million passengers between Japan and the United States in 2025, more than any other U.S. carrier, according to figures cited by the company.
Its network connects Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports, as well as Osaka and Nagoya, with U.S. destinations and Pacific island markets.