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, Houston and Vancouver. The route map is intriguing, as it serves two airports in the Bay Area (SFO and SJO), which are only a few miles apart.

ZIPAIR targets budget-conscious travelers with an unusual combination: luxury perks like lie-flat seats at affordable prices. As a budget carrier, the airline passes ancillary fees to customers. I like ZIPAIR because this pricing model lets you keep costs low by skipping meals and other services, though it may not work if you prefer more flexibility in your travel plans.

The airline flies a fleet of Boeing 787-8 aircraft configured with 290 seats. 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 keeps it simple with a two-class setup: ZIP Full-Flat (their version of business class) and Standard (economy).

Business class

At first glance, ZIPAIR’s ZIP Full-Flat seats look like a premium cabin on any major airline. They recline 180 degrees into a full bed with a decent 42 inches of pitch and come with storage, a footrest, and a tray table. I find them comfortable and spacious, but don’t expect all the usual business class bells and whistles.

ZIP Full-Flat seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration (reverse herringbone), meaning you’ll have direct aisle access. This is a personal favorite 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. Complimentary perks with most long-haul business class seats on other airlines (amenity kits, seat selection and even meals) are virtually non-existent here. I like that ZIPAIR is upfront about charging for ancillary services, letting me select what I value and avoid what I don’t.

Economy class (standard seat)

In economy, you’ll find a standard 3-3-3 configuration with a 31-inch seat pitch and 17-inch seat width. For a little extra comfort, aim for bulkhead seats when available. I’d suggest avoiding the very back rows where seating can feel tighter.

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.

The economy seats are no-frills but get the job done with leather padding, adjustable headrests, and decent legroom for a budget carrier.

Both cabins offer amenities for purchase, including an amenity kit with a blanket, ear plugs, eye mask, neck pillow and slippers. You can also buy add-ons like meals, seat selection, carry-on and checked baggage. ZIPAIR offers advanced seat selection, though this service isn’t free.

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. Just connect your device and you’re good to go for the whole flight. In my experience, the connection was pretty solid, though it can get a little spotty in bad weather. You can also use your phone to order snacks, drinks and duty-free items right from your seat, which means no more trying to flag down a flight attendant.

Now for the catch. If you need a reminder that you’re on a low-cost carrier, just look at the seat in front of you. You won’t find any built-in screens or magazines.

Be sure to load up your phone or tablet with movies and shows before you board.

In-flight dining

While meals aren’t included in your ticket, the options you can buy are pretty diverse. You can pre-order everything from traditional Japanese dishes like gyudon beef bowls and eel rice bowls to hearty Western options like butter chicken curry on the ZIPAIR website. They also have vegetarian and vegan options, and while they don’t offer a dedicated gluten-free meal category, they provide detailed allergen information for each menu item so you can choose suitable meals based on your dietary needs.

I remember ordering a beef and rice dish on my first flight, and the quality was surprisingly good, almost like something you’d get in a decent restaurant on the ground. If you’re trying to keep costs low, I’d recommend eating at the airport before you board. Pack some of your own snacks and bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.

ZIPAIR loyalty program

ZIPAIR’s loyalty program is called ZIPAIR Point Club and has two tiers. The first tier is free to join and enables you to earn and redeem points. The second tier, ZIPAIR Point Club Plus, requires an annual fee and offers a 30% discount on checked baggage when booked online.

Earning points is easy. You get 100 points just for signing up for the free tier, or 1,000 points when you pay to join ZIPAIR Point Club Plus. Even before I’d flown ZIPAIR, I had some points in my account simply by registering for an account. And if you’re a member of JAL Mileage Bank, you can convert your miles to ZIPAIR points. The standard conversion rate is 1:1 for exchanges of 3,000 or 5,000 miles, but a 10,000-mile transfer from JAL gets you 15,000 ZIPAIR points, which is a pretty good deal.

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

ZIPAIR lounges

ZIPAIR does not have its own dedicated lounges. However, the airline does have agreements with lounges that passengers can pay to access. You can use the Narita Premier Lounge at Tokyo-Narita (Terminal 1, Satellite 1) and the Lea Lea Airport Lounge at Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Terminal 2, Garden Court).

The amenities vary by location: at Narita, you’ll find meals, drinks (including alcohol), free Wi-Fi, and showers, while the Honolulu lounge offers light meals like snacks and cup noodles, drinks (including alcohol), and free Wi-Fi, but no showers.