Quantcast

ZIPAIR ends San Jose-Tokyo route amid ongoing challenges

Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Major airline grounds Airbus A350 fleet, citing faulty engine component
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
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

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on December 18, marking the first time a U.S. airline operates this model.

Oct 25, 2025