A major U.S. airline will launch the first nonstop passenger service between Okinawa and the continental United States in more than half a century next spring, offering the island’s large U.S. military community a direct route to San Francisco.

United Airlines will begin service between Naha and San Francisco International airports on March 27 as part of what the airline described as “the largest international network expansion in company history,” according to an Aug. 25 announcement.

A 276-seat Boeing 777-200ER will fly the route three times a week, the airline said.

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