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.
Continue reading: ZIPAIR Will Fly From Tokyo To Orlando With Boeing 787s… But Only Four Times
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
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.
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!
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!
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 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.
It’s cool to see ZIPAIR operating some Orlando flights! Under a photo of Seoul Incheon Terminal 2
@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??
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 🙂
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.
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.
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.
"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.
Quite a few Japan updates these days, Ben. (Glad most folks are alright there after that earthquake/tsunami threat near Hokkaido yesterday).
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.
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!
What an ignornat comment, have some class and respect otherwise you'll be screaming HO LE FUK whilst I am BANG DING OW you!
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).
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.