Japanese low-cost airline ZIPAIR has just announced its latest US route: Tokyo - Houston. 

The 6,643-mile (10691 km) transpacific connection between Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will mark the first low-cost nonstop offering between the two cities. 

ZIPAIR’s Houston Flights

Starting on March 4, 2025, ZIPAIR will service Houston four times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from its base at Tokyo Narita airport, some 35 miles (56 kilometers) outside of Tokyo. 

Flight ZG16 from NRT to IAH will depart Tokyo at 10:00 a.m. local time, flying for 11 hours and 45 minutes before touching down in Houston at 6:45 a.m. After a two-hour turnaround, the return flight, ZG15, will leave Houston at 8:45 a.m. and after a 14-hour and 5-minute flight, will land in Tokyo at 1:50 p.m. the next day. 

During daylight savings time (starting March 9, 2025), arrival and departure times in Houston will be shifted forward by 1 hour, to 7:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., respectively. 

Notably, United and ANA operate daily nonstop service between Houston and Tokyo on their Boeing 777-200 and 787-9 aircraft. 

ZIPAIR’s new route will be operated by one of the airline’s eight Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, seating up to 290 passengers. ZIPAIR’s 787s are split into two sections: 18 ZIP Full-Flat seats, an innovative low-cost take on business class with direct aisle access and 76” lie-flat beds, and 272 standard economy seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. 

Tickets are already on sale on ZIPAIR’s website with introductory pricing starting as low as $333 each way for the most basic economy class seats, while ZIP Full-Flat seats begin at a little over $1,300 each way. All fares include a maximum of 7kg of carry-on baggage allowance with the option to purchase additional add-ons, like inflight meals, checked baggage, and seat selection, available during booking. ZIPAIR’s introductory prices are available until November 30, 2024, subject to availability. 

Considering United and ANA’s nonstop flights on the same route sell for at least $600 in economy with prices rising over $6,000 for the Tokyo to Houston flight, ZIPAIR’s nonstop, low-cost option will appeal to many travelers. 
 

The new Houston service will complement ZIPAIR’s four existing U.S. routes nicely. The carrier currently serves San Francisco (HNL), Los Angeles (LAX), Honolulu (HNL), and San Jose (SJC) on a seasonal basis. The airline also operates to Vancouver (YVR), Seoul (ICN), Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN), and Manila (MNL). The Houston route will be ZIPAIR’s longest route yet.