Tokyo-Based Zipair To Add Narita-Houston Transpacific Route In 2025
The carrier, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines Group, operates a fleet of eight Boeing 787-8 aircraft. It will open service between Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) and IAH from March 4, 2025. The route will be flown 4X-weekly. The approximately 13-hr. flight, with a distance of 5,770 nm (6,640 mi.), becomes the airline’s longest route.
Japanese LCC Zipair plans to add its fifth U.S. destination next year with flights to Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
The carrier, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines Group, operates a fleet of eight Boeing 787-8 aircraft. It will open service between Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) and IAH from March 4, 2025. The route will be flown 4X-weekly. The approximately 13-hr. flight, with a distance of 5,770 nm (6,640 mi.), becomes the airline’s longest route.
Zipair’s 787-8s are configured with 290 seats, including 18 lie-flat seats. The airline said starting service from NRT to IAH makes sense because the Lone Star State “has become more business-friendly in terms of tax and cost, and major companies have been relocating to Texas.”
The carrier, launched in 2020, already operates from NRT to California cities Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose, as well as serving Honolulu. It also operates flights between NRT and Vancouver.
Zipair aims to operate a fleet of 20 aircraft by 2030.
In addition to the transpacific routes, the airline operates from NRT to Bangkok, Manila, Singapore and Seoul Incheon.
