Quantcast

ZIPAIR ends San Jose-Tokyo route amid ongoing challenges

Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
ZIPAIR ends San Jose-Tokyo route amid ongoing challenges
Policy
Webp my4djcnixmixw1ksf655oqjccs0m
Tom Boon Content Manager | Simple Flying

ZIPAIR, a low-cost subsidiary of Japan Airlines, appears to be ending its San Jose flights. The airline introduced the route from Tokyo Narita in December 2022, but no services are scheduled or bookable after October 24, 2024. Since 1990, seven airlines have attempted long-haul flights from San Jose.

San Jose, located near San Francisco, has faced significant challenges with its long-haul network. In the latest schedule update over the weekend, ZIPAIR signaled that it is pulling out. The airport serves Silicon Valley and more; economic challenges and the slow rebound in business travel have partly caused its woes. This is compounded by a much bigger, busier, and more well-known airport not far away. Airlines can consolidate to cut costs, reduce complexity, and improve performance.

ZIPAIR uses 290-seat Boeing 787-8s and currently serves San Jose six times weekly. Until last week, the plan was to run through the winter with five weekly services. However, the airline's latest schedule filing shows that the last flight will be on October 24. As of July 8 and subject to change, no flight is scheduled or bookable in 2025.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

According to the US Department of Transportation, ZIPAIR carried about 107,000 San Jose passengers last year. It filled approximately 206 out of 290 seats (71%) – a low number. Many seats were unfilled at the start of the year (53-54%, partly because of COVID-19) and in October and December (60%-70%, mainly because of winter). While seat load factors are just one performance measure and should not be considered in isolation, they are nonetheless telling.

San Francisco filled an average of 77% of seats since its introduction in June 2023 while Los Angeles filled 81%. It appears that ZIPAIR will now consolidate in San Francisco.

ZIPAIR was the fourth Asian airline to attempt San Jose flights and the third airline between Tokyo and the city. American's San Jose hub was tried twice: first in the 1990s then again post-Reno Air.

Using US DOT and Cirium data, these long-haul routes have existed since 1990:

- Air China: Shanghai Pudong (2016-2018)

- American: Tokyo Narita (1991-2006)

- All Nippon: Tokyo Narita (2013-2020)

- British Airways: London Heathrow (2016-2020, 2022-2023)

- Hainan: Beijing Capital (2015-2020)

- Lufthansa: Frankfurt (2016-2018)

- ZIPAIR: Tokyo Narita (2022-2024)

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Planning a vacation on a private jet involves more than just booking flights and accommodations.

May 30, 2025

Air India has announced an extension of its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 19, 2025.

May 29, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a double bonus miles promotion for flights between Lagos and any of its destinations.

May 29, 2025

Copa Airlines announced it has resumed flights between Panama City and Caracas as of May 27, offering daily service with plans to increase to two daily flights starting June 23, 2025.

May 29, 2025

Hainan Airlines has announced a new direct international route between Jeddah and Haikou, marking its first connection between Saudi Arabia and China.

May 29, 2025

Alaska Airlines announced it is launching Chef’s (tray) Table, a new First Class dining program featuring top West Coast chefs, beginning June 5 on select flights, according to a post on X. Alaska Airlines is introducing Chef’s (tray) Table, a...

May 29, 2025