Zipair is offering introductory prices of between $673 and $893 CAD roundtrip on their nonstop flights from Vancouver to Tokyo, Japan.
The nonstop flights are in and out of Tokyo's Narita Airport (NRT).
Zipair is new to Vancouver (YVR) and to Canada. They started flying between U.S. cities (Honolulu, Los Angeles) and Tokyo back in October of 2020, later expanding to San Francisco and San Jose using a fleet of 787-8 aircraft.
Zipair is a subsidiary of Japan Airlines.
The new Vancouver-Tokyo Zipair flights will operate 3 times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
Things to note about Zipair:
- Zipair aims to offer flights to Japan that are significantly cheaper than their competitors (Air Canada, ANA, and Japan Airlines here in Vancouver). They often claim they are 50% cheaper.
(Note: Zipair is actually owned by Japan Airlines).
However, Zipair does not include *anything* in their base fares, other than a small piece of hand luggage. Seat selection, actual carry-on, checked bags, and even meals are all extra.
- If you want to quickly compare Zipair against their competitors, add about $220 CAD roundtrip to their cheapest prices. This is the typical cost of their 'value' package which brings things back to 'expected' (carry-on, seat selection, in-flight meals, and a checked bag.).
- So as of right now, these flights are really around $673 + $220 roundtrip, or $893 CAD roundtrip. For comparison, the cheapest prices with Air Canada, ANA, and Japan Airlines for a nonstop flight are currently $1820 CAD roundtrip.
(Update: Air Canada has dropped their spring prices down to between $1226 and $1387 CAD roundtrip)
Zipair 'Full Flat' Class
Zipair also offers something called 'Full Flat'' class with lie-flat seats that are significantly cheaper than Business Class fares offered by competitors.
But again, this Full Flat class is stripped down to it's bare minimum. Full Flat is essentially Economy with a better seat. That's all you get.
You still need to pay extra for things that would normally be included on a typical Business Class flight (bags, seat selection, and inflight meals).
Priority check-in, baggage handling or boarding, and lounge access are also not included.
Also note that in Full Flat there are no built in screens. You bring your own device and stream entertainment wirelessly.
All that being said, Full Flat can still be a pretty great deal relative to typical business class fares.
Full Flat is generally around 2X economy price, so let's say $1800-$2200 CAD roundtrip.
Compare that to a typical Business class flight from YVR to Tokyo, which is about $4000-$5000 roundtrip.
Update
September and October are the two months where ZIPAir is still showing some base prices in the high $600s to low $700s roundtrip.
Try this Google Flights link to search for them.
The introduction of ZIPAir has forced Air Canada to lower the price of their flights to Tokyo to under $1000 CAD roundtrip for the first time in a very long time.
Air Canada's $999 roundtrip flights to Tokyo can currently be found in late May, June and September. (Update: They are currently $1078 CAD roundtrip)
ANA seems to think they can still get away with price levels of $2000-$2400 roundtrip. I mean they're a great airline, but, wow.
Availability for travel
March, April, May, June, late August, September, October 2024
How to find and book this deal
1. Go to the ZIPAir website
2. Change the currency from $USD to $CAD (near the top right of the page)
3. Search for a flight from Vancouver (YVR) to Tokyo, Japan (NRT)
4. Try dates starting in mid-March 2024. Most dates between March and October 2024 are currently $350 on the way there and $320 on the way home.
July and August dates are higher ($442 / $404).
Hotel Deals in Tokyo, Japan
Places to stay in Tokyo with great reviews start at around $75 CAD per night.
Try this search on Kayak
You can sort by price near the top of the results.