Find cheap ZIPAIR flights

Based in Tokyo, ZIPAIR began flying in 2020. Its parent company is Japan Airlines (JAL). From its hub at Tokyo-Narita, the airline flies to the following cities: Seoul, Manila, Bangkok, Singapore, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San José, and Vancouver. Its route map is intriguing, as it serves two airports in the Bay Area (SFO and SJO), which are only a few kilometres apart.

Competing with other low-cost and full-service airlines, ZIPAIR targets budget-conscious travellers, and is a popular choice thanks to its luxury perks, such as lie-flat seats, at an affordable price.

As a budget carrier, the airline saves costs by passing on ancillary fees to you, the customer. I like ZIPAIR because the airline’s pricing model allows you to keep costs low by skipping meals and other services, but it may not work for those who like more flexibility in their travel plans.

ZIPAIR flies a fleet of Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which seats 228 passengers. The 787-8 is one of the newest models in the Boeing jet family. These planes are some of the most comfortable and spacious in the sky. They’re also extremely quiet jets—it’s one of the first features you’ll notice once you’ve reached cruising altitude!

ZIPAIR Fare Classes

ZIPAIR offers a two-class configuration: Full-Flat (business class) and Standard (economy class).

Business class

At first glance, ZIPAIR’s business class looks a lot like a premium cabin on full-service flights. The seats fully recline into bed mode, with an ample seat pitch of 107 cm. Full-flat seats include storage space, a footrest, and a tray table. I find the seats comfortable and spacious but without the bells and whistles of full-service airlines.

Full-Flat seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning you’ll have direct aisle access. This configuration, also known as the reverse herringbone, is a personal favourite because you don’t have to step over another passenger to get up from your seat.

Even though it’s a business class seat, the experience can be anything but. That’s because the complimentary perks with most long-haul business class seats on other airlines—like amenity kits, seat selection, and even meals—are virtually non-existent here.

I like that ZIPAIR is upfront about charging for ancillary services. This allows me to select the services I value and avoid those I don’t.

Economy class (standard seat)

Economy class is arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration, with a 79-centimetre seat pitch and 43 cm of seat width. Rows 18, 45, and 46 offer the most comfortable seats and legroom due to the bulkhead.

I suggest avoiding rows 56 and 57 towards the back of the aircraft. That’s because the fuselage curving inward means a tighter seat. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid the very last row, 57, due to its limited recline. However, these rows are arranged in a 2-2 configuration, which could be a good option for couples or a single person who wants to avoid a middle seat.

ZIPAIR’s economy class is no-frills but provides the essentials at a competitive price. The seats are designed for comfort, with leather padding, tray tables, adjustable headrests, and decent legroom for a budget airline. While meals and other services aren’t included in the base fare, you have the flexibility to purchase what you need. This way, you only pay for the extras that matter to you.

Both cabins offer amenities, like an amenity kit, for purchase. The kit includes a blanket, ear plugs, eye mask, neck pillow, and slippers. Additionally, ZIPAIR allows you to select your flight up to 24 hours before departure. However, this service isn’t free.

Both cabins also offer add-ons for an additional fee. Here, you can purchase meals, seat selection, carry-on, and checked baggage for a fee.

This unbundling model can work for travellers who tailor their expectations before boarding. If you want to save money—and stick as close to the base ticket price as possible—then there are a few things you should do: Bring your own bedding and a pillow and allow the airline to select your seat. This way, you can save on additional costs and focus on the aspects of the flight that matter most to you.

In-Flight Dining

Meal Options on ZIPAIR are diverse, catering to different tastes and dietary requirements. Before your flight, you can pre-order meals through the ZIPAIR website or app. Whether you’re craving a traditional Japanese bento box or a hearty Western meal, there’s something to satisfy your taste buds.

I remember the first time I ordered a beef and rice dish—the presentation and flavours were on par with what you’d expect in a good restaurant. For those with special dietary needs, there are options like vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals, so you don’t have to compromise on your dietary preferences.

Similar to seat selection, if you want to keep costs low, I’d recommend eating before your flight at the airport (such as grabbing a meal at the airport lounge). Keep a reusable water bottle on hand to refill during the flight. Then, once you’re onboard, keep yourself fed by packing snacks and meals to munch on during your flight.

Wi-Fi and Entertainment

If you need a reminder that this is a budget airline, look no further than your seat. In-flight entertainment (IFE) and magazines are not included. You’ll have to keep yourself entertained by bringing your own books, laptop, or tablet.

Instead of traditional seat-back screens, ZIPAIR uses a “bring-your-own-device” model. You can access a wide array of movies, TV shows, music, and games directly from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. The interface is user-friendly, making it easy to find and enjoy content. A lack of IFE is something you’ll find on smaller planes and shorter routes, but as a budget airline, ZIPAIR nixed this service to keep costs low.

Luckily, Wi-Fi on ZIPAIR is free, which is a fantastic perk on a budget airline. All you have to do is connect to the Wi-Fi, and you’ll enjoy the service throughout the flight. In my experience, the service was pretty reliable, but you’ll find that connection can be spotty during bad weather. Additionally, you can use your phone to purchase snacks and drinks, duty-free items, and ZIPAIR merchandise. This is a nice feature, which means you can order from your seat without having to track down a flight attendant.

ZIPAIR Lounges

ZIPAIR does not have its own dedicated lounges. However, the airline contracts two lounges for customers to use at its base at Tokyo-Narita Airport and Honolulu Airport. At either lounge, you’ll have access to meals, drinks (including alcohol), free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and showers.

ZIPAIR Loyalty Program

ZIPAIR’s loyalty program is called ZIPAIR Point Club and has two tiers. The first, ZIPAIR Point Club, is free to join and enables you to earn and redeem points. The second, ZIPAIR Point Club Plus, offers a 30% discount for checked baggage.

It’s pretty easy to earn ZIPAIR points. You’ll get 100 points when you join the program and 1,000 points when you join ZIPAIR Point Club Plus. Even before I’d flown ZIPAIR, I had some points in my account simply by registering for an account.

If you’re a member of Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank, you can convert those miles to ZIPAIR in increments of 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000 miles. One JAL Mileage Bank mile is equivalent to one ZIPAIR point. However, if you convert 10,000 Mileage Bank miles, one mile is equivalent to 1.5 points. That means if you transferred 10,000 miles from Japan Airlines, you’d receive 15,000 ZIPAIR points.

ZIPAIR Point Club is unique in that actually flying on the airline won’t earn you points.