For the first time in history, we’re going to see nonstop passenger flights between Japan and Florida. That’s super exciting, though there’s one major catch. I first covered this several weeks ago when the flights were first announced, but they’re now on sale, so the schedule has also been published.
In this post:
Florida lands nonstop Japan flights in early 2026
There are currently no nonstop flights between Florida and Japan. My home airport of Miami International (MIA) has been trying to get an airline to launch such a flight for a long time, but it has never come to fruition (though it continues to be a goal). Well, we’re now going to see a nonstop flight between Florida and Japan.
The catch is that it’s not going to be regularly scheduled service, and it’s intended to “enrich cultural ties and create more opportunities for robust economic activity between two of the world’s most visited regions.”
In early 2026, Japan Airlines’ low cost subsidiary, ZIPAIR, intends to operate four roundtrip, nonstop flights between Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). Specifically, the 7,251-mile flights will operate on February 23, February 28, March 5, and March 10, using ZIPAIR’s Boeing 787-8s. ZIPAIR has a unique onboard product, including flat beds that aren’t business class.
The flights will operate with the following schedule:
ZG714 Tokyo Narita to Orlando departing 2:30PM arriving 1:40PM
ZG713 Orlando to Tokyo Narita departing 3:40PM arriving 8:35PM (+1 day)
The service is blocked at 13hr10min eastbound and 14hr55min westbound, so it’s quite a long journey.
This announcement was made in late October 2025, with government representatives, tourism officials, and even executives from Disney. This will be the first ever nonstop passenger flight between Tokyo and Orlando, and for that matter, the first nonstop passenger nonstop flight between Florida and North Asia.
Here’s how Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, describes this:
“Our partnership with ZIPAIR is more than just a new route. It’s history. This will be the first-ever nonstop passenger flight between Asia Pacific and the state of Florida. The partnership is a testament to the economic strength we share between our communities. We look forward to welcoming ZIPAIR passengers with the warmth and hospitality that both our nations cherish.”
Meanwhile here’s how Shingo Nishida, President of ZIPAIR, describes this:
“We are extremely proud of this historic achievement, as this will be the first non-stop charter flight from Japan to Orlando, Florida. Orlando is home to numerous world-class theme parks and by operating these charter flights for travelers from Japan, we hope to meet our customers’ expectations when they experience ZIPAIR’s new standard in air travel. We certainly look forward to welcoming Disney fans and guests on our charter flights next Spring.”
What’s the point of these Japan to Florida flights?
Operating four nonstop flights between Japan and Florida probably sounds pretty random, so what’s actually going on here? As it’s described, “travel and tourism leaders say the charter flights could lay the groundwork for additional service between Orlando and Tokyo.”
Essentially what’s happening is that various authorities are clearly chipping in some money for ZIPAIR to operate these four roundtrip flights. The goal, of course, is to convince ZIPAIR (or another airline) that there’s demand for this route, and that they should launch regularly scheduled service. “See, these flights were 100% full, people want this kind of service!”
Now, is that likely to work? Probably not. We’ve seen a countless number of airports and tourism authorities try something like this, and rarely does it lead to regularly scheduled flights (unless airlines were going to launch the flights anyway).
That being said, it’ll certainly make headlines, so the hope is that something comes of it. There are so many airports providing massive incentives for airlines to offer service, so the concept of paying airlines to operate routes is nothing new.
After all, being able to fill four, celebratory charter flights between two airports doesn’t necessarily speak to the wider demand or economic viability of the service. Obviously there’s some demand between Tokyo and Orlando, though the challenge is that it’s overwhelmingly leisure demand, and at nearly 7,300 miles, this is a very long flight.
Furthermore, there are already plenty of one-stop routings, so it’s not like these are two points that are otherwise challenging to travel between. So I wouldn’t expect much beyond these four charter flights, but hey, who knows…
Bottom line
In early 2026, ZIPAIR intends to operate four nonstop flights between Tokyo Narita and Orlando. This will be ZIPAIR’s longest flight to date. These are charter flights that are still on sale to the public. They’re made possible with the (financial) support of various tourism and airport authorities, so clearly the hope is that this will lead to nonstop service in the long run. Odds are certainly stacked against this becoming a permanent reality, but who knows…
What do you make of ZIPAIR operating Orlando flights?
I just looked at booking a round-trip ticket on this route from Orlando, and Zipair's prices are extremely high compared to other airlines (unless you book the first MCO-NRT flight and return on the last one two weeks later, in which case the price is only ~25% more expensive compared to a one-stop routing on Air Canada). I wanted to take the flight for a quick getaway to Japan (and the cool aspect of this...
I just looked at booking a round-trip ticket on this route from Orlando, and Zipair's prices are extremely high compared to other airlines (unless you book the first MCO-NRT flight and return on the last one two weeks later, in which case the price is only ~25% more expensive compared to a one-stop routing on Air Canada). I wanted to take the flight for a quick getaway to Japan (and the cool aspect of this flight), but I don't want to spend $1,600 on a no-frills 14hr economy ticket (with no add-ons included on that price - that is the base fare).
Hmm, this is a very peculiar announcement. I have never heard of anything like this before announcing a new route launch and I've been in the business many years. Let's hope there is some investigation into this and this sounds like it could be a form of corruption or money laundering!
Quite a few Japan updates these days, Ben. (Glad most folks are alright there after that earthquake/tsunami threat near Hokkaido yesterday).
"For the first time in history, we’re going to see nonstop passenger flights between Japan and Florida."
Although it was a charter, JAL operated a nonstop flight from HND to MIA on March 17, 2023 with a 789. The flight carried over 100 passengers heading to the World Baseball Classic.
Global Airlines symptom?
No infrastructure, delays, mechanical issues, will be meh
Hope this goes well. I live in NYC and Raleigh NC so another option to go to Tokyo would be amazing. Plus ZIPAIRs lay flat seats are much more affordable than the other airlines :)
@Ben, do you know how logistics will work for ZipAir in Orlando? Will they contract with another airline for ground staff? Will they fly in their own ticket counter and gate staff??
Many airlines at MCO already use Menzies or Swissport for their ground operations.
This will surely be the same plus perhaps a Japanese interpreter or two.
Is Sum Ting Wong with this route? Like
stop being such piece of crap dude
⬆️ Totally inappropriate ignorant clown level comment
Sum Ting Wong is the stage name of Bo Zeng, a drag queen from Birmingham, England. I don't think she has anything to say about this flight, for the time being.
Other peeps shall chillax here.
What an ignornat comment, have some class and respect otherwise you'll be screaming HO LE FUK whilst I am BANG DING OW you!
It’s cool to see ZIPAIR operating some Orlando flights! Under a photo of Seoul Incheon Terminal 2
I don't have current numbers, but I do have the 2023 Cirium data, and Orlando has MUCH higher demand to Tokyo than Miami. Second only to Vegas, for a US market without scheduled non-stop service.
Miami is shockingly far down the list, around the same daily demand as Indianapolis. In fact, even if you add Fort Lauderdale, the combined area still lags Nashville for demand to Tokyo.
There really is negligible demand between Japan...
I don't have current numbers, but I do have the 2023 Cirium data, and Orlando has MUCH higher demand to Tokyo than Miami. Second only to Vegas, for a US market without scheduled non-stop service.
Miami is shockingly far down the list, around the same daily demand as Indianapolis. In fact, even if you add Fort Lauderdale, the combined area still lags Nashville for demand to Tokyo.
There really is negligible demand between Japan and south Florida. There's far more demand between Miami and the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Singapore, however. Average fare ranges from very low (Philippines) to surprisingly high (other two). Yield, due to distance, is way down though.
What's the flght duration for each leg?
Long, very long
Many, many hours.
This flight will be the first flight for ZipAir with free Starlink service, which will be gradually rolled out to other ZipAir 787s.
Also, in Japan, many of the seats will be sold to the group tourists visiting Walt Disney World, featuring some special service offered by Disney.
I live in Orlando now, and I'm seriously thinking about taking this flight just for fun. Perhaps a long weekend in Tokyo. If fares are good when they go on sale, I'm in!
We've yet to see that the flights can be purchased with an Orlando origin. It may turn out that they're for Tokyo origin passengers only and then only as a "package" including air, hotel & transfers.
The flights are on sale now! And you can book from Orlando to Tokyo Narita.
@KingBob: That would mean the first return leg would be completely empty!
4 times? Sheesh. So, it's more of a charter, than a regularly scheduled service. When I lived in FL, I wished that there were more direct connections to East Asia, but, let's be real, it's a long way. Flying up to ATL, EWR, JFK, DTW was usually the 1-stop way to get to Tokyo or Seoul. Haven't tried Zip personally, but have heard good things (especially if you want 'affordable' lie-flat and basically nothing else.)...
4 times? Sheesh. So, it's more of a charter, than a regularly scheduled service. When I lived in FL, I wished that there were more direct connections to East Asia, but, let's be real, it's a long way. Flying up to ATL, EWR, JFK, DTW was usually the 1-stop way to get to Tokyo or Seoul. Haven't tried Zip personally, but have heard good things (especially if you want 'affordable' lie-flat and basically nothing else.) For those that do give this a try, enjoy and report back here!
Disney will likely sell packaged Disney World trips from Japan. ZIPAIR has mentioned those are charter flights so it's unlikely they will be on public sale.
Honestly if they find the correct way to market the service (the Japanese consumer likes exclusivity) and ZIPAIR does not need the metal on those 8 days per year, I don't see the issue. Those flights are not intended to become regular.
As a Miamian I may have to try this since Brightline goes straight into MCO. However, my recollection is that Zipair is extremely strict with a no refunds or changes, no exceptions policy which is crazy… I've looked several times at booking their "basic business" as I just care about a flat seat, no service but the change policy is what put me off.
Yes, it's pretty draconian. Even if you get their 'business flex' addon, the refunded credits expire after 6 months so you really need to have plans in order or you'll be out $3-4000 depending on route.
I didn't mind paying for food, but if you pass on the pre ordered boxed sets, there's pretty much nothing on board aside from drinks, snacks, and cup o noodles.
Aside from those negatives, the seat itself was a no frills lie flat and I got what I paid for.