ZIPAir Tokyo plans to add Vancouver to its network

Low-cost Carrier ZIPAIR Tokyo is planning to expand its operation with a new route to Vancouver in Canada.

ZIPAIR Tokyo Boeing 787- Image, by Masakatsu Ukon – https://www.flickr.com/photos/129575161@N05/52681693021/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135091785

This route marks the first entry into the Canadian market for Japan Airlines’ low-cost offshoot. The new route will start on the 13th of March 2024, operating three times a week. The planned operation is as follows:

From 13th March 2024

ZG22 DEPART NRT 16:00 ARRIVE YVR 08:30
ZG21 DEPART YVR 10:30 ARRIVE NRT 13:00+1

From 31st March:

ZG22 DEPART NRT 15:40 ARRIVE YVR 08:25
ZG21 DEPART YVR 10:25 ARRIVE NRT 12:25+1

Commences 13th March. Times vary slightly through the year. Check before booking 
Operates Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from Tokyo Narita and Vancouver
Booked Equipment: ZIPAIR Boeing 787-8

ZIPAIR operates their Boeing 787-8 in a two-class configuration, with 18 Business Class Seats and 272 Economy Class seats.

Lead-in Fares start at JPY28,9500/CAD$300 for their standard value fare, scaling up to the ZIP Full-Flat fare from 101,325/CAD$10,50.

Under 6s who are travelling in the party can use a flat fare of JPY10,000/CAD$104.

These are priced per seat one way, including 7kg of hand luggage. They exclude airport charges, fees, and taxes.

Additional fees apply for optional services, including checked baggage, and inflight meals. ZIPAIR Toyko lists some of these as:

• Baggage allowance at 30kg/piece – JPY7,000
• Extra Carryon baggage of 8kg (15kg today) – JPY5,000
• Value Package, comprising of seat selection, one bag at up to 30kg and an inflight meal – JPY11,000
• Premium Package, comprising of seat selection, one bag at up to 30kg, inflight meal, extra carryon baggage allowance and an amenity set – JPY18,000

Full fare rules are governed by their T&Cs at https://www.zipair.net/en/farerules

Expanding across the Pacific

JAL’s low-cost carrier is increasing its footprint, with this being the first to Canada. It has focused its cross-pacific services to California so far – namely,  Los Angeles, San Jose (Mineta, CA), and San Francisco International.

The airline also serves Honolulu International Airport – targeting the all-important Hawaiian market.

ZIPAIR Toyko has been growing, since its inception and commencement of service with the airline having seven Boeing 787-8 aircraft in its fleet (five of which are leased from its parent – Japan Airlines).

It’s not been the flashiest of operations, with the airline starting as a cargo operation during the pandemic – then moving into passenger services, and like any low-cost carrier, they will work out how to get their coin out of your pocket.

But it seems that new choices are on the offing – which as a passenger, is nothing to be sniffed at.

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