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Fly Zipair Flat Bed Business Class to Japan for as little as $790 one way, taking into account a targeted AMEX Offer for $150 statement credit for a $750 or more purchase. Here are the offer details followed by more about Zipair.
- Add the offer to your targeted AMEX card
- Spend $750 or more on zipair.net by 5/14/23 to receive a $150 statement credit
- Flight must originate in the United States and be purchased in USD
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Zipair: a Low Cost Carrier Owned by JAL
Zipair is a low cost carrier (LCC) and wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL). Its fleet at time of writing consists of six 787-8 aircraft, each of them with 18 business class flat bed seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, each with direct aisle access.
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Zipair Routes
Zipair already flies from Los Angeles LAX to Tokyo NRT and San Jose SJC to Tokyo NRT, and will launch San Francisco SFO to Tokyo NRT on 6/2/23. Zipair also flies from Honolulu HNL to Tokyo NRT and onward to Bangkok BKK and Singapore SIN. The least expensive business class fares we've seen from the West Coast are on the new SFO-NRT flight, for as low as JPY 124,521 (~$940). With the AMEX Offer $150 statement credit, that's an effective fare of $790 one way for the flight.
We have seen a business class fare as low as JPY 103,048 (~$780) for HNL-NRT, so with that fare and the statement credit, it would be an effective rate of $630 one way.
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Plan on Paying for Seat Reservations, Meals, Amenity Kits, Luggage
As an LCC, Zipair charges for everything, including advance seat reservations and even meals. While up to 7 kg (15 lbs.) of hand luggage is included free with business class seats, you'll need to pay JPY 5572 (~$42) if you want to bring an extra 5 kg (11 lbs.) of hand luggage, for a total of 12 kg. / 26 lbs.
Seat assignments are $18. Note that Zipair doesn't permit children under the age of 6 years old to select seats, stating “For safety reasons, passengers with children, under the age of 6, cannot select. If you are using the ZIP Full-Flatseat , we may ask for your assistance during an emergency situation.” There are some bundles that could save a bit of money over the a la carte pricing options:
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Meals cost JPY 1700 (~$13) and look like cafeteria food (think grilled chicken with lemon garlic cream sauce and rice or cheese ravioli with spinach cream sauce).
The presumably no frills service and the ancillary fees mean that Zipair Business Class isn't for everyone, but for those who mainly want a flat bed seat at the lowest possible fare, without having to deal with business class award availability, Zipair Business Class could be a good option.
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Where to Stay in Japan
In Japan, we recommend the Four Seasons Tokyo at Otemachi, the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo (club level), the Shangri-La Tokyo (club level), the Ritz-Carlton Nikko, the InterContinental Osaka (club level), Four Seasons Kyoto, Park Hyatt Kyoto, and Nishimuraya Honkan. See our Top Japan Luxury Hotel Offers 2023. TravelSort Clients enjoy preferred partner or Virtuoso upgrades, complimentary breakfast, hotel credit, and other perks.
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