Travellers who want to take advantage of the new, ultra-low-cost Zipair flights from Vancouver to Japan have limited options at the moment, but can still score some deals for trips this year.
While flights don't officially commence from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) until March, tickets are nearly sold out for that month, and availability for the cheapest options has dwindled for travel during the following months.
When the airline started selling tickets in December 2023, locals could snag a direct, round-trip flight from YVR to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) for as little as $680 on several dates starting in March and continuing through the spring.
Now, travellers would be hard-pressed to find a flight available that departs in March, while options in April and onward start for at least $850 to $950.
But there are a few cheaper options available for travellers who can hold out to make the trip across the Pacific into the late summer.
For example, a flight that departs YVR on Monday, Sept. 2, and returns from NRT on Monday, Sept. 9 costs $744 including all taxes and fees. However, to score the budget price, the tickets need to be booked separately.
If you book them as a round-trip ticket, the price is about $15 more ($759).
These prices are extremely affordable for a trip to Japan. The least expensive flights for similar trips to Tokyo typically cost between $2,200 and $4,050, according to Google Flights.
Zipair launches flights from Vancouver to Tokyo, Japan
Describing itself as "basic" (neither low-cost nor full-service), the airline is owned by Japan's flagship carrier, Japan Airlines (JAL), and provides service from the Japanese capital to cities around the world.
Zipair currently provides service between the Japanese capital and several cities across the United States, including Honolulu, San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles. It also flies to major destinations across Asia including South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Currently, JAL, All Nippon Airlines, and Air Canada are the only airlines that offer non-stop service between YVR and NRT.
