Japanese low-cost carrier to offer cheap flights between Tokyo and San Francisco
Low-cost Japanese carrier Zipair plans to launch flights from Tokyo to San Francisco, providing U.S. travelers with a cheaper option to visit one of the most sought-after international destinations this year.
Zipair will begin flying between Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on June 2, marking the startup's fourth U.S. destination. Los Angeles, Honolulu and San Jose, California, are already on Zipair's map.
Flights between Tokyo and San Francisco will operate five times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with fares starting at an astonishingly low $352.
The Tokyo-based carrier also advertises a bargain $91 fare for the route, but that price only applies to children 6 years old and under. Tickets are already on sale.
Related: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles
Zipair President Shingo Nishida heralded the new route as a way to strengthen its ties to the U.S.
"Through our relationship with SFO, we are confident this service will provide a valuable link for commercial and cultural exchange for our mutual customers," Nishida said in a statement.
Zipair was founded in 2018 as a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, using a fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for its flights. Besides its U.S. destinations, the carrier also flies to Seoul, South Korea; Bangkok; and Singapore.
Zipair's operations were planned to commence in the spring of 2020 but were thwarted by the pandemic as travel restrictions squeezed the airline industry. Zipair postponed its passenger operations because of the pandemic and launched only cargo flights between Tokyo and Bangkok.
The carrier inaugurated its passenger services in October 2020 and flew its first U.S. route to Honolulu in December 2020. Since then, Zipair has grown its operations, flying to a total of seven cities from its Tokyo hub.
As Japan slowly lifted each of its COVID-19 restrictions, the country once again became a popular destination for tourists worldwide. Japan first opened to travelers last summer, welcoming tourists only on supervised tours.
Since the fall of 2022, Japan has been open to independent travelers, and the country plans to lift its remaining COVID-19 border testing and vaccination rules May 8.
Related: Japan is slowly reopening to tourists — here's how I visited without a group tour
Zipair's appeal not only lies in its low prices but also in its business-class seats, which may be some of the cheapest for trips to Japan. For a June 5 trip to Japan, Zipair's website shows only three lie-flat seats left at $1,332.
The carrier gives passengers the option to buy a business-class lie-flat seat, but flyers must also pay extra if they want other perks like seat selection, checked baggage and inflight meals. Travelers can also pay for certain ancillary perks separately rather than purchasing a bundle.
All fares include complimentary Wi-Fi, and passengers can check bags that weigh up to 15 pounds, or 7 kilograms, for free.
However, if you opt for Zipair's premium bundle, which includes seat selection, inflight meals and other amenities, you'd only be paying an extra $117, making your total flight cost come out to $1,449 just for one way. That's a bargain for business-class flights to Japan.
Also, a round-trip business-class flight on Zipair with the same premium package comes to a total of $2,473.
Otherwise, on Google Flights, business-class trips to Tokyo cost at least $4,000 round-trip (Zipair is also shown as the cheapest option).
Bottom line
If you're considering visiting Japan but don't want to pay a hefty price tag for airfare, these flights are worth checking out.
Japan is one of the most popular international destinations, and flights to the country have been selling out, so definitely snag these Zipair flights while you can.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.