This article is about the present-day Japanese low-cost airline. For the defunct Canadian discount airline, see Zip (airline).
Zipair Tokyo
AirlineZipair Tokyo Inc.

Kabushiki-kaisha Jippu-ea Tōkyō
IataZG
IcaoTZP
CallsignZIPPY
FoundedJuly 31, 2018 (age 8)[1]
CommencedJune 3, 2020 (age 6)
BasesNarita International Airport
Frequent flyerZipair Point Club
Destinations10
ParentJAL Group
Num employees815 (January 2025)[1]
HeadquartersNarita, Chiba, Japan[1]
Key peopleHiroo Iwakoshi (Chairman)
Shingo Nishida (President & CEO)[1]
Websitewww.zipair.net/en

Zipair, legally Zipair Tokyo Inc. (株式会社 Zipair Tokyo, Kabushiki-gaisha Jippu-ea Tōkyō, styled ZIPAIR Tokyo), is a Japanese low-cost airline headquartered on the grounds of Narita International Airport in Narita, Chiba Prefecture.[2][3] Initially founded in 2018, the airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines, from which it leases some of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.[4][5] Operations launched on June 3, 2020, as a cargo-only airline due to restrictions on passenger traffic related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and passenger operations launched on October 16, 2020.[6][7]

History

Foundation

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced in May 2018 that it planned to launch a new international low-cost carrier in 2020, which was to compete with other Asian carriers attempting to expand into the Japanese market, such as AirAsia X.[8] JAL established a wholly owned subsidiary legally incorporated as T.B.L. Co., Ltd. (株式会社ティー・ビー・エル, Kabushiki-gaisha Tī Bī Eru), in July that year.[4][9][10] It was estimated that the airline would commence operation in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[11]

In March 2019, the brand of the new carrier was named Zipair, referencing the words "Zip", which represents speed, and alluding to traveling to different postal areas "ZIP Code".[2][12] Subsequently, T.B.L. was renamed "Zipair Tokyo Inc."[2] Zipair's planned operations consisted of international flights from Narita International Airport to Bangkok and Seoul, launching on May 14 and July 1, 2020, respectively with Boeing 787-8 aircraft transferred from JAL.[2][3][5][13] The airline planned to launch additional destinations in Asia, while flights to the United States were planned to be added by 2021.[5][14][15][16]

Development since 2020

In early 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation disrupted Zipair's plans for its launch of operations, with Thailand banning all incoming passenger flights from April 4, 2020,[17] and the Japanese government introducing strict border enforcement measures.[18] Under these circumstances, Zipair announced on April 9, 2020 that its launch of service would be postponed until further notice,[19] although later that month the airline applied with the U.S. Department of Transportation for the operation of a route to Honolulu to begin on October 25, 2020.[20] On May 21, 2020, it was announced that the airline had submitted an application to the Japanese authority for the launch of cargo flights between Tokyo and Bangkok to meet the needs for air cargo during the suspension of passenger flights.[6] Zipair proceeded to launch services on June 3, 2020, initially as a cargo airline, with its fleet of Boeing 787-8 aircraft.[6][21][22]

Following its launch as a cargo-only airline, Zipair inaugurated its passenger services on October 16, 2020.[7] The following month, on November 20, 2020, the airline announced the details of its first route to the United States, with flights between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu launching on December 19, 2020.[23] On July 20, 2021, the airline announced a new service between Tokyo Narita and Singapore, with flights launching on September 7, 2021.[24] On October 28, 2021, the airline added a third aircraft to its fleet with a Boeing 787-8 transferred from JAL.[25][26] On November 12, 2021, the airline announced a new service between Tokyo Narita and Los Angeles International Airport to begin on December 25, 2021.[27]

In June 2022, Zipair announced that the large letter Z on the tail fin of its livery would be replaced with a green geometric pattern to avoid misunderstandings, as the letter has been used as a military symbol by the Russian Armed Forces during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.[28] Also in June 2022, the airline announced a new service between Tokyo Narita and San Jose International Airport to launch during December 2022,[29] before subsequently specifying December 12, 2022 as the launch date for the service.[30]

On February 21, 2023, Zipair announced plans to begin services to San Francisco and Manila during the year, as well as to increase its fleet to seven aircraft.[31] It later announced on April 6, 2023, that it would begin service to San Francisco International Airport on June 2, 2023.[32] Details of its Manila service were revealed on April 28, 2023, with flights to Ninoy Aquino International Airport beginning on July 1, 2023.[33] On November 8, 2023, the airline announced plans to add an eighth aircraft in January 2024, and to launch a new service to Vancouver in March 2024,[34] later specifying March 13, 2024 as the launch date of the service.[35]

In early 2024, Zipair announced its plans for 2025 involving the increase of its fleet size to ten, but did not expect to launch any new destinations during 2024 beyond Vancouver.[36] On October 9, 2024, the airline announced the launch of flights to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport to begin on March 4, 2025.[37] On March 19, 2025, the airline formalized plans to receive ten Boeing 787-9s from Japan Airlines starting in 2027.[38]

Destinations

As of March 2026, Zipair flies (or has flown) to the following destinations:[39]

CountryCityAirportStart dateEnd dateNotesRef
CanadaVancouverVancouver International AirportMarch 13, 2024Present[35]
JapanTokyoNarita International AirportJune 3, 2020Present[3]
PhilippinesManilaNinoy Aquino International AirportJuly 1, 2023March 28, 2026[33][40]
SingaporeSingaporeChangi AirportSeptember 7, 2021Present[24]
South KoreaSeoulIncheon International AirportSeptember 12, 2020Present[3][41]
ThailandBangkokSuvarnabhumi AirportJune 3, 2020Present[3]
United StatesHonoluluDaniel K. Inouye International AirportDecember 19, 2020Present[23]
HoustonGeorge Bush Intercontinental AirportMarch 4, 2025Present[37]
Los AngelesLos Angeles International AirportDecember 25, 2021Present[27]
OrlandoOrlando International AirportFebruary 23, 2026March 10, 2026Charter[42]
San FranciscoSan Francisco International AirportJune 2, 2023Present[32]
San Jose, CASan Jose International AirportDecember 12, 2022Present[30]

Fleet

As of August 2025, Zipair Tokyo operates the following aircraft:[43]

Zipair fleet
AircraftIn
service		OrdersPassengersNotes
JYTotal
Boeing 787-882[36]182722906 leased from Japan Airlines.[36]
Boeing 787-9—10TBADeliveries from 2026.
To be leased from Japan Airlines.[38]
Total812

Service concept

Zipair operates two cabins and classes of service on its aircraft, consisting of a premium cabin with 18 Zip Full-Flat seats arranged in a 1–2–1 configuration, and an economy class cabin with 272 standard seats in a 3–3–3 configuration, in contrast to parent company Japan Airlines which arranges its Boeing 787 economy class seats in a less dense 2–4–2 configuration.[44]

As a low-cost carrier, Zipair charges fees for extra services such as additional baggage allowances, and a buy on board service for in-flight catering, amenities, and goods, even for passengers traveling in its premium cabin. The airline also provides streamable in-flight entertainment to personal devices instead of in-seat screens, and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access.[45]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Company". Zipair. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  2. ^ "Japan's First Medium to Long-Haul Low-Cost Carrier "Zipair Tokyo" Now Established!". Japan Airlines. 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  3. ^ "『Zipair』成田空港第１ターミナル北ウイングの使用を決定" ["Zipair" Narita Airport Terminal 1 North Wing to be used] (in Japanese). Zipair Tokyo. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  4. ^ "JAL Establishes Preparatory Company for New LCC Business". Japan Airlines. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  5. ^ Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (18 December 2019). "Zipair、787の機内お披露目 上級席はフルフラット、全席モニターなしで軽量化" [In-flight announcement of Zipair, 787 Advanced seats are full flat, all seats are lightweight without monitors] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Zipair Plan to Launch Cargo Flights to Bangkok". Zipair Tokyo. 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  7. ^ Casey, David (2020-10-09). "Zipair Tokyo set for inaugural passenger flights". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  8. ^ "Zipair: a defensive move by JAL as AirAsia X expands in Japan". Centre for Aviation. Archived 21 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Establishment of a New International Low-Cost Carrier Business". Japan Airlines. 2018-05-14. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  10. ^ Kohase, Yusuke (31 July 2018). "JAL、LCC準備会社「TBL」設立 募集は秋から" [Established JAL and LCC preparation company "TBL"] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  11. ^ "Japan Airlines New LCC To Be Called Zipair Tokyo". Australia Aviation. 11 March 2019.
  12. ^ "Japan Airlines to launch Zipair Tokyo low-cost long-haul carrier". The Jakarta Post. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  13. ^ Casey, David (9 July 2019). "Zipair Tokyo on track for 2020 launch". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  14. ^ "JAL names new LCC Zipair Tokyo". FlightGlobal. DVV Media Group. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  15. ^ Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (20 November 2019). "JAL、成田国際線を20年度3-5路線拡充 Zipair も活用" [JAL and Narita International flights expanded 3-5 routes in FY2020, also utilizing Zipair] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  16. ^ Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (19 December 2019). "Zipair、ハワイも有力 西田社長「マーケット大きい」" [Zipair, Hawaii is also influential President Nishida "Big market"] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  17. ^ "Thailand suspends incoming flights". Bangkok Post. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  18. ^ "Information related to New Coronavirus Infection(COVID-19) from Immigration Services Agency". Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  19. ^ "Zipair Postpones Launch of Service to Bangkok". Zipair Tokyo. 2020-04-09. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  20. ^ Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (22 April 2020). "Zipair、ハワイ就航へ 米運輸省に申請、冬ダイヤ開設目指す" [Zipair applies with the US Department of Transportation, aiming to launch Hawaii services during winter schedule] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  21. ^ "日航傘下ジップエア 初の就航、まず貨物便 逆風に負けず" [The first Zipair service under the umbrella of JAL] (in Japanese). Mainichi Shimbun. 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  22. ^ Fukuda, Yoshifumi (2020-07-07). "Zipair Tokyo goes cargo-only for debut flight due to pandemic". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
  23. ^ "Zipair/Hawaii". Zipair. Archived 2019-03-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  24. ^ Casey, David (2021-07-21). "Zipair to open new international route". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  25. ^ Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (2021-10-28). "Zipair、3号機が姿現す 元JALの787-8、JA824J" [Former JAL 787-8 JA824J appears as Zipair Unit 3] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  26. ^ "Zipair receives third 787". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. Informa Markets. 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  27. ^ "Zipair Announces Inaugural Long-Haul Destination: Service to Los Angeles Launching December 25". Zipair. 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  28. ^ "Japanese airline ditches "Z" logo to avoid misunderstanding". Kyodo News. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Zipair to Launch Nonstop Service to Mineta San José Starting December 2022". Zipair Tokyo. Tokyo: Japan Airlines Group. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  30. ^ Liu, Jim (16 September 2022). "Zipair Tokyo schedules mid-Dec 2022 Tokyo – San Jose launch". Aeroroutes. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  31. ^ Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (February 21, 2023). "Zipair、成田－サンフランシスコ・マニラ就航へ 787は7機に" [Zipair to launch Narita to San Francisco/Manila, to grow fleet to seven 787s] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  32. ^ "Zipair to Launch Inaugural Flight between Tokyo Narita and San Francisco International Airport on June 2, 2023". Zipair. April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  33. ^ Kohase, Yusuke (April 28, 2023). "Zipair、成田－マニラ7/1就航 1日1往復" [Zipair Narita–Manila service on 7/1, one round trip per day] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  34. ^ Yoshikawa, Tadayuki (November 8, 2023). "Zipair、成田－バンクーバー24年3月就航 日系LCC初、8号機は1月" [Zipair, first Japanese LCC to launch Narita–Vancouver flight in March 2024, eighth aircraft to be launched in January] (in Japanese). Aviation Wire. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  35. ^ Liu, Jim (December 26, 2023). "Zipair Tokyo begins Vancouver service from mid-March 2024". AeroRoutes. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  36. ^ Schofield, Adrian (February 21, 2024). "Zipair Looks Ahead To Next Stages Of Fleet And Network Growth". Aviation Week Network. Informa. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  37. ^ "Zipair to Launch Flights to Houston Expanding International Network to North America". Zipair. October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  38. ^ Spanjevic, Aleksa (March 19, 2025). "JAL to add seventeen B737-8s, Zipair to take B787-9s". ch-aviation. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  39. ^ "Zipair Basic Information". Zipair. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  40. ^ "ZIPAIR Tokyo to Suspend Tokyo/Narita–Manila Route in March 2026". TRAICY Global. 26 December 2025. Archived 27 December 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  41. ^ "Zipair Will Launch Cargo Flights to Seoul". Zipair Tokyo. Tokyo: Japan Airlines Group. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  42. ^ "First Ever Non-Stop Charter Flight from Japan to Orlando Offering Exclusive Promotions at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida | ZIPAIR Official Website". ZIPAIR. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  43. ^ "Global Airline Guide 2025 - Zipair". Airliner World. September 2025. p. 63.
  44. ^ "『Zipair』使用機材、ボーイング787型機の客室が完成!!" [Completed the cabin of the Boeing 787 aircraft, the equipment that uses "Zipair"!!] (in Japanese). Zipair Tokyo. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  45. ^ "Services Onboard". Zipair. Retrieved January 29, 2025.