[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

Speaking of ultra low cost carriers, has anyone flown ZipAir from Vancouver to Tokyo? Their prices seem really reasonable (you can find flights there if you look far enough out for around $700 or about double that for lie flat which is really crazy).

I haven't flown with them (they just recently started flying out of Vancouver) but posted some info here about what to expect: https://yvrdeals.com/vancouver-to-to...-673-roundtrip

ZipAir aims to offer flights to Japan that are significantly cheaper than their competitors (Air Canada, ANA, and Japan Airlines here in Vancouver). They often claim they are 50% cheaper.

(Note: ZipAir is actually owned by Japan Airlines).

However, ZipAir does not include *anything* in their base fares, other than a small piece of hand luggage. Seat selection, actual carry-on, checked bags, and even meals are all extra.


- If you want to quickly compare ZipAir against their competitors, add about $220 CAD roundtrip to their cheapest prices. This is the typical cost of their 'value' package which brings things back to 'expected' (carry-on, seat selection, in-flight meals, and a checked bag.).

So a $700 flight is really around $920 when comparing against, say, Air Canada.

Zipair also offers something called 'Full Flat'' class with lie-flat seats that are significantly cheaper than Business Class fares offered by competitors.

But again, this Full Flat class is stripped down to it's bare minimum. Full Flat is essentially Economy with a better seat. That's all you get.

You still need to pay extra for things that would normally be included on a typical Business Class flight (bags, seat selection, and inflight meals).

Priority check-in, baggage handling or boarding, and lounge access are also not included.


Also note that in Full Flat there are no built in screens. You bring your own device and stream entertainment wirelessly.

All that being said, Full Flat can still be a pretty great deal relative to typical business class fares.

Full Flat is generally around 2X economy price, so let's say $1800-$2200 CAD roundtrip.

Compare that to a typical Business class flight from YVR to Tokyo, which is about $4000-$5000 roundtrip.