A new 'basic' Japanese airline is launching flights between San Francisco and Tokyo starting at $325 one-way. See what it will be like onboard the Boeing 787 jets.

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A new 'basic' Japanese airline is launching flights between San Francisco and Tokyo starting at $325 one-way. See what it will be like onboard the Boeing 787 jets.
  • Zipair's first flight connecting San Francisco to Tokyo Narita is scheduled to fly on June 2.
  • The new route starts at $325 one-way for standard value fare, and at $885 for full-flat value fare.
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Zipair, a low-cost Japanese airline, recently announced a new connection between Tokyo and San Francisco.

Zipair, a low-cost Japanese airline, recently announced a new connection between Tokyo and San Francisco.
Courtesy of ZIPAIR

Source: ZIPAIR.

The carrier's first flight between Tokyo's Narita International Airport and San Francisco International Airport is scheduled for June 2.

The carrier's first flight between Tokyo's Narita International Airport and San Francisco International Airport is scheduled for June 2.
Courtesy of ZIPAIR
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Tickets are already available online and have a one-way starting price of $325 from San Francisco to Tokyo...

Tickets are already available online and have a one-way starting price of $325 from San Francisco to Tokyo...
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...and of 35,000 Japanese yen — roughly $260 — from Tokyo to San Francisco.

...and of 35,000 Japanese yen — roughly $260 — from Tokyo to San Francisco.
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The $325 starting price is for the airline's standard value fare, not including airport charges, fees, and taxes.

The $325 starting price is for the airline's standard value fare, not including airport charges, fees, and taxes.
Courtesy of ZIPAIR

The $325 starting price does not include an in-flight meal and allows passengers a maximum of 15 pounds of carry-on baggage.

Zipair offers free WiFi to its passengers, but there are no TVs on the seats. Passengers can access the airline's onboard entertainment service through their own devices.

Zipair offers free WiFi to its passengers, but there are no TVs on the seats. Passengers can access the airline's onboard entertainment service through their own devices.
Courtesy of ZIPAIR
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Zipair full-flat value fare starts at $885 per one-way ticket from San Francisco to Tokyo...

Zipair full-flat value fare starts at $885 per one-way ticket from San Francisco to Tokyo...
Courtesy of ZIPAIR

... and 89,500 Japanese yen — around $670 — from Tokyo to San Francisco.

... and 89,500 Japanese yen — around $670 — from Tokyo to San Francisco.
Courtesy of ZIPAIR
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Full-flat fare includes seats that are more spacious and secluded.

Full-flat fare includes seats that are more spacious and secluded.
Courtesy of ZIPAIR

While the seats are wider, ZIPAIR's full-flat does not include perks like priority boarding or check-in, and passengers still have to pay extra for in-flight meals and extra baggage allowance.

While the seats are wider, ZIPAIR's full-flat does not include perks like priority boarding or check-in, and passengers still have to pay extra for in-flight meals and extra baggage allowance.
Courtesy of ZIPAIR
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Zipair's San Francisco-Tokyo flights will connect the two cities five days per week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Zipair's San Francisco-Tokyo flights will connect the two cities five days per week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Courtesy of ZIPAIR

With the new announcement, San Francisco becomes the fourth city in the US to be served by Zipair.

With the new announcement, San Francisco becomes the fourth city in the US to be served by Zipair.
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Zipair already connects Tokyo to Los Angeles...

Zipair already connects Tokyo to Los Angeles...
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...San José Mineta International Airport...

...San José Mineta International Airport...
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...and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

...and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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Zipair was founded in 2019. Its first flight took off October 2020.

Zipair was founded in 2019. Its first flight took off October 2020.
Danial Hakim/AP
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It is a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, one of the largest airlines in Japan and its national flag carrier.

It is a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, one of the largest airlines in Japan and its national flag carrier.
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Zipair describes itself as a "basic" airline, "neither full-service nor a low-cost carrier."

Zipair describes itself as a "basic" airline, "neither full-service nor a low-cost carrier."
Courtesy of ZIPAIR.
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For the route, Zipair plans to use its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner jets, which have 290 seats.

For the route, Zipair plans to use its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner jets, which have 290 seats.
Danial Hakim/AP

Other airlines operating the Tokyo-San Francisco route include All Nippon Airlines, Japan Airlines, and United Airlines.

Other airlines operating the Tokyo-San Francisco route include All Nippon Airlines, Japan Airlines, and United Airlines.
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