Annual Family Tradition: A Journey to Japan
At the end of each year, my family and I look forward to our annual pilgrimage to Japan. Departing from Singapore, we board a flight as a family to reunite with our loved ones in Tokyo for the holiday season. This cherished tradition has become a significant part of our lives.
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Introducing ZIPAIR: A New Travel Option
This year, we travelled with ZIPAIR, a low-cost airline that I had heard about but never considered until we faced soaring flight prices. For many years, we relied on Japan Airlines (JAL) for our overnight flights to Haneda, with ticket prices typically hovering around S$800-900 per person. However, in 2023, as Japan reopened after the COVID lockdown, demand skyrocketed, and we found ourselves facing a daunting total of S$5,000 for round-trip tickets for two adults and our 4-year-old child with JAL.
Why ZIPAIR?
In light of these inflated prices, I turned my attention to ZIPAIR. While I’m usually hesitant about low-cost carriers for long flights, the pricing was too appealing to ignore. Ultimately, we only paid S$1,500 TOTAL for all three of us! This included round-trip tickets, two checked-in bags at 30 kg each, three meals for one leg of the flight, and extra legroom seats, making our experience comparable to that of full-service airlines.
Flight Overview
Was flying ZIPAIR worth it? Let’s dive deeper into our experience on the flight from Singapore to Tokyo. Below are the topics I will cover:
- What is ZIPAIR?
- My experience on the ZIPAIR flight from Singapore to Tokyo
- Flight Schedule and Release
- Booking ZIPAIR
- Flight Check-in
- Inflight Experiences and Amenities
- Pre-booked hot meals
- Types of Seating on ZIPAIR
- Tips for flying with ZIPAIR and what to pack
- Conclusion: Is ZIPAIR worth it?
What is ZIPAIR?
ZIPAIR is a relatively new airline, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL), that was launched in 2020. It offers the same level of Japanese hospitality that JAL is known for, but at a significantly lower cost. With ZIPAIR, you pay only for the amenities you want, such as inflight meals, snacks, drinks, blankets, and checked baggage.
However, it’s important to note that ZIPAIR currently only operates flights to Narita Airport, which is considerably farther from Tokyo than Haneda. This posed a challenge for us, especially with a young child and ample luggage. We opted for a private car transfer to reach Tokyo, which cost an additional S$150 one way. Still, this was much more economical than the full-service carriers.
If a private transfer isn’t your choice, consider the Keisei Skyliner or the Narita Express (N’EX) for convenient access to the city.
My experience on the ZIPAIR flight from Singapore to Tokyo
Having flown ZIPAIR for both legs of our journey, I would like to share my observations from booking to landing:
1. ZIPAIR Schedule and Flight Release
Flight Schedule: ZIPAIR currently operates one daily flight between Singapore and Narita Airport. While this limited our flexibility, the flight times are generally convenient for families. As of 2024, the schedule is as follows:
| SIN to NRT | 00:40 AM – 08:25 AM |
|---|---|
| NRT to SIN | 4:40 PM – 11:10 PM |
While these times are suitable for young children, the midnight flight proved challenging for us. Despite our son being 4 years old, he struggled to sleep until nearly 3 AM, leaving us all exhausted upon arrival in Narita.
Schedule Release: ZIPAIR releases its flight schedule seasonally, typically 1.5 to 2 months before the upcoming season. Keeping an eye on their notification page is essential for planning your travel dates effectively.
2. Booking ZIPAIR
Flight Package and Optional Services: Upon booking, you can select a flight package that includes various amenities:
- ZIPAIR Express Services (S$29.05) – Priority Check-in
- Amenity Set (S$24.20) – Includes blanket, slippers, eye mask, neck pillow, and ear plugs
- Inflight Meal – Prices range from S$13-28 based on your meal choice
Here are the seating fees:
- Extra legroom: S$48.00
- Window or aisle near the front: S$18.00
- Middle seat: S$13.00
- Window or aisle near the back: S$16.00
- Not able to recline: S$4.00
Regarding baggage fees:
- Baggage Check-in (30KG): S$51.00/piece
- Sports Equipment: S$72.00 – 109.00 per piece, depending on size
Given these costs, opting for the packages can be a wise decision, especially for families traveling with young children.
3. Flight Check-in
The check-in process at Changi Airport was seamless. The ZIPAIR check-in desk is located at Terminal 1. We arrived two hours before our flight and faced only a brief 15-minute wait in line. As we had prepaid for our checked baggage, the luggage processing was swift, and they didn’t check or weigh our bags.
On our return from Narita, check-in was equally smooth. Although we encountered some issues with the baggage self-check-in machine, the overall process was efficient.
4. Inflight Experiences and Amenities
As a low-cost carrier, ZIPAIR does not provide complimentary amenities unless pre-purchased. However, they do offer FREE Wifi and limited entertainment options.
Free Wifi: Yes, you read that right! A budget airline with complimentary wifi? However, the connectivity was inconsistent, suitable for messaging and light browsing but not for heavy usage.
Inflight Food and Drinks Menu: Meals, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase during the flight. You can either order them while booking your ticket or access the inflight menu through a QR code once onboard. The menu becomes available about 1-1.5 hours after takeoff. I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices; for instance, a 500ml bottle of water cost ¥250 or S$2, akin to convenience store prices.
However, keep in mind that some meals might sell out during the flight.
Inflight Shopping: You can purchase various items on board, such as neck pillows, blankets, and sanitary products.
Inflight Entertainment: The entertainment is accessible via the web app on your device, so bringing a tablet or iPad is advisable to enhance your movie-watching experience. Don’t forget your headphones!
Charging Port / Power Outlet: Yes, there are charging ports available! They are located under the seat for extra legroom options, so you may need to look closely to find them.
5. Pre-booked Hot Meals
On our return flight to Singapore, I pre-booked meals, knowing we would be flying from 5 PM to midnight. I selected Pork Katsudon, Gyudon, and cold soba. However, I was disappointed with the meal quality. The pork tonkatsu and gyudon were overly sweet and poorly presented, while the soba was the only dish that met expectations. In hindsight, I would consider packing a meal from the convenience store or eating at Narita Airport before boarding.
6. Types of Seating on ZIPAIR
The extra legroom seats in Row 18 were a wise choice for us, especially as my husband is tall. The additional S$48 per person felt justified for comfort. However, the armrests on most extra legroom seats are fixed, which can be inconvenient for families. Notably, the first two extra legroom seats in the middle (D and E) have movable armrests, making them more suitable for a child needing to rest on your lap.
ZIPAIR also offers full-flat seats that provide a business-class experience at an economy price. However, these are only available for children aged 7 and above, which meant we couldn’t book them for our son.
Tips for Flying with ZIPAIR and What to Pack
Here are some tips and items I recommend bringing on your next ZIPAIR flight:
- Snacks for Kids: While there are snack options onboard, they may not appeal to your child. Consider bringing snacks for your little one, especially since inflight services begin late on overnight flights.
- Entertainment: Bring a tablet and headphones as there are no dedicated screens. Download your favorite shows beforehand to keep your child entertained.
- Dress Comfortably: The cabin can get chilly, so wear layers or pack an extra blanket or scarf.
- Be Prepared for Cancellations: Since ZIPAIR operates only one flight per day, cancellations or rescheduling could affect your travel plans. Plan accordingly!
Conclusion: Is ZIPAIR Worth It?
In conclusion, absolutely yes! If you’re budget-conscious, ZIPAIR offers one of the best travel options to Japan at the moment. While there are pros and cons to consider, I believe the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks:
- Pros: Affordable pricing, comfortable seating, reasonable inflight amenities, free wifi, and charging ports.
- Cons: Flights only to Narita, subpar inflight meals, limited daily flights, and no personal inflight screens.
Ultimately, given the steep S$5,000 price tag from full-service airlines, the S$1,500 we spent on ZIPAIR tickets provided excellent value for money. Overall, I was quite satisfied with our experience and will likely choose ZIPAIR for future travels.
Tokyo Travel Guide: If you’re planning a visit to Tokyo, check out my Tokyo Itinerary post and other articles about traveling around Japan. Looking forward to sharing more of our adventures! 👋
Note: I paid for my family’s ZIPAIR tickets referenced in this post. All opinions and thoughts expressed are genuine and my own.