For anyone relocating to Hampton Roads, “How easy is it to fly in and out?” is a real question. This month brought two pieces of airport news worth knowing, one confirmed and one still in the talking stage.
Confirmed: nonstop to San Francisco starting March 31, 2027
United Airlines will fly nonstop between Norfolk International Airport (ORF) and San Francisco starting March 31, 2027. Here’s what to know:
- Two days a week. The flights run on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- It’s year-round. This is ORF’s first year-round West Coast route. Breeze’s Los Angeles and San Diego flights are seasonal.
- It’s built for Pacific connections. The schedule is set up for connections through San Francisco to the Pacific, including Australia, South Korea and the Philippines.
- The demand was already there. A year-long study found more than 100 people a day were already flying between Norfolk and San Francisco with a connection.
Fares haven’t been announced yet.
What’s next on the wish list
According to that same study, Seattle, San Antonio and Austin are the next-biggest markets from Norfolk that don’t have a nonstop flight. Nothing has been announced for those cities.
In talks: nonstop flights to Europe
At this month’s State of the Airports event, Norfolk International’s CEO said the airport is in talks with two European airlines about direct flights. He didn’t name them, and nothing is on the schedule yet. These are talks only, so it’s too early to plan around.
Part of the pitch is that Norfolk is NATO’s North American home. If you have orders here, or family across the ocean, that’s a big deal.
He also wants the smaller airports in Newport News, Chesapeake and Suffolk to pick up more private and military flights. That would free up ORF for more commercial routes and bigger planes.
Who this matters for
- Military families with Pacific assignments, or family in the Pacific, who want an easier path through San Francisco.
- Relocating professionals and remote workers with West Coast offices, clients or family.
- Buyers who travel often for work and want fewer connections.
- Families with ties overseas, keeping an eye on the Europe talks.
Factor travel into your home search
When you’re moving here, the right neighborhood depends on more than the house: your commute, schools, the beach, and for a lot of people, how often you’ll be heading to the airport. If you’re relocating to Hampton Roads, on orders or for work, tell me what matters most to you and I’ll help you narrow down the neighborhoods that fit.
Book a 30-minute call with me to get started.
Christine “Chris” Faircloth, The Agent Faircloth Team at Swell Realty Co. | 757.288.0983
