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United Airlines launches first U.S. airline service to Mongolia from Tokyo

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United Airlines launches first U.S. airline service to Mongolia from Tokyo
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Mimi Wright Social media manager | The Points Guy

United Airlines has inaugurated its inaugural flight to Mongolia, marking the first time a United States airline has launched regular service to the remote Asian nation. The new route, a collaboration of creativity and logistics, takes passengers from Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Unlike typical inaugural routes, this one does not operate from the U.S., departing instead from Japan, about 1,900 miles away.

On the ground for the launch were approximately 200 attendees, including Japanese media and United's senior vice president for global network planning and alliances, Patrick Quayle. They witnessed a series of celebratory activities, from cupcakes to a sake barrel-breaking ceremony, along with passengers dressed for the occasion. Quayle spoke about the airline's new NRT-UBN route and its broader efforts to revitalize operations at Narita, now offering 11 nonstop destinations.

"This is my first inaugural," stated Craig Shipman from Chicago. It appears the event attracted aviation enthusiasts or "AvGeeks" to be part of this historic flight. Jan Francke, a geophysicist from British Columbia, incorporated the flight into his work visit to Mongolia, while some passengers booked the flight by chance, unaware of its significance.

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Ulaanbaatar joins other distant locations like Nuuk in Greenland and Bilbao in Spain as part of United's expansion. Quayle, influenced by his childhood interest in maps, said the airline aims to serve "far-flung destinations," providing a unique offering in their MileagePlus loyalty program. United continues to distinguish itself by covering the most combined domestic and international destinations globally.

Reflecting on the day, Quayle, and the passengers—akin to "wide-eyed kids"—checked off a bucket-list destination. The boarding experience included swag bags, pajamas, and memorabilia. First-class passengers enjoyed extra gifts like commemorative teddy bears, adding to their excitement.

The 23-year-old Boeing 737-800 aircraft for the flight offers a standard configuration. The menu boasted Mongolian-themed dishes, but food reviews varied. The aircraft departed with a slight delay and landed in Ulaanbaatar to passengers' applause after more than five hours in the air.

Tickets for this new service are available, with prices starting at $486 for a round-trip in economy. Award tickets can be secured with United MileagePlus miles or Aeroplan points from Air Canada, with multiple credit card points transfer options.

The new route reflects United's strategy of adding captivating destinations that differentiate their offerings and attract frequent flyers. The arrival in Mongolia was more than just another destination; for many, it was the realization of an aspiration, an adventure prompted by childhood curiosity.

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