14HRS in the World’s CHEAPEST Business Class
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Date: 2026-07-10
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Comments and reviews: 20
johnhunt9719
I flew SFO to Narita in March. I didn’t know about the express check-in for a fee, so waited in line over an hour and a half to check my luggage, since they didn’t even have an option to pay for a carry-on of normal weight. By the time I boarded I was rushed and annoyed. The seat was comfy and I always have my own entertainment loaded on my iPad. no issue there. We had paid for the business option, which included a credit in the event of cancellation. My husband is a pilot and was assigned training when our trip was planned so we had to cancel his ticket. I wish I would’ve read the fine print: even though the tickets were booked together, the credit could only be used by him and expired in 6 months. It expires next month and since we won’t be using it, will lose $2, 000. yeah, it was that much for a one-way ticket after we added the extras. Oh, and if you want to buy an alcoholic beverage, you have to wait about three hours for it to be available to order. I purchased a total of 3 glasses of wine over the course of the approximately 11 hour flight, and when I was brought the last one was told to be careful, it’s easier to get drunk at altitude. That got a big eye roll from me, as does Zipair.
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I flew SFO to Narita in March. I didn’t know about the express check-in for a fee, so waited in line over an hour and a half to check my luggage, since they didn’t even have an option to pay for a carry-on of normal weight. By the time I boarded I was rushed and annoyed. The seat was comfy and I always have my own entertainment loaded on my iPad. no issue there. We had paid for the business option, which included a credit in the event of cancellation. My husband is a pilot and was assigned training when our trip was planned so we had to cancel his ticket. I wish I would’ve read the fine print: even though the tickets were booked together, the credit could only be used by him and expired in 6 months. It expires next month and since we won’t be using it, will lose $2, 000. yeah, it was that much for a one-way ticket after we added the extras. Oh, and if you want to buy an alcoholic beverage, you have to wait about three hours for it to be available to order. I purchased a total of 3 glasses of wine over the course of the approximately 11 hour flight, and when I was brought the last one was told to be careful, it’s easier to get drunk at altitude. That got a big eye roll from me, as does Zipair.
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philipduffer2669
Business Class is an experience with differentiation. Pillows bankets and even a small ammenity kit, PAY for meals, Pay for Seat assignment I guess buying the amenity kit ONCE your e ok $2200 with Zip vs. 4000 for Jewnited, I d increase my ammenities to a few more full meals and budget the baggage fee. so Lets call a more truly Business Class experience on ZIP $2, 400 that is still ok. The seat looked fairly comfortable and food what you may have gotten in Economy 25 years ago. I dont think they explanded internationally with pre thinking expectations very much, but if you get what you want in advance, I guess $2, 400 is ok. In Japanese marketing mentallity, if you BUY an ammennity kit branded ZIP you are connected to the brand when you are ready to travel again. it seems knowing some Japanese while reading the web page and talking to crew would have helped. All in all, they look like a good option. That 767 is an early model (1992 ) that had been well maintained. They probably got it for a good price and just need to maintain it well, which they seem to do. snd fast internet in the air PRICELESS. Great Video Jeb!
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Business Class is an experience with differentiation. Pillows bankets and even a small ammenity kit, PAY for meals, Pay for Seat assignment I guess buying the amenity kit ONCE your e ok $2200 with Zip vs. 4000 for Jewnited, I d increase my ammenities to a few more full meals and budget the baggage fee. so Lets call a more truly Business Class experience on ZIP $2, 400 that is still ok. The seat looked fairly comfortable and food what you may have gotten in Economy 25 years ago. I dont think they explanded internationally with pre thinking expectations very much, but if you get what you want in advance, I guess $2, 400 is ok. In Japanese marketing mentallity, if you BUY an ammennity kit branded ZIP you are connected to the brand when you are ready to travel again. it seems knowing some Japanese while reading the web page and talking to crew would have helped. All in all, they look like a good option. That 767 is an early model (1992 ) that had been well maintained. They probably got it for a good price and just need to maintain it well, which they seem to do. snd fast internet in the air PRICELESS. Great Video Jeb!
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GTYellowJacket9
I've traveled to Japan in 3 classes: Economy, Premium, and Business. Business on Singapore was a wonderful experience but I flew on points and there could be no way I could justify the price in cash. Premium was nice and it wasn't that much more than economy at the time but I wouldn't pay a hefty premium for it, even with leg rest and extra recline I didn't sleep very much. I just flew economy for the first time and I'll be honest, it wasn't that bad. I flew with a child so it was a huge bonus having a whole row of 3 to ourselves.
The real hack that I've found is flying early in the day. I come from the east coast but I'll do an overnight layover on the west coast. Sure it adds a a couple hundred for a hotel and extra time but what it does provide is a good night's sleep before a 10-12 hour flight. The when you leave in the morning you don't need to sleep because you'll land in the early afternoon in Japan which will feel like very late at night but you can fight through it until early night and you sleep very well the first night. You wake up early the next day and are ready to go.
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I've traveled to Japan in 3 classes: Economy, Premium, and Business. Business on Singapore was a wonderful experience but I flew on points and there could be no way I could justify the price in cash. Premium was nice and it wasn't that much more than economy at the time but I wouldn't pay a hefty premium for it, even with leg rest and extra recline I didn't sleep very much. I just flew economy for the first time and I'll be honest, it wasn't that bad. I flew with a child so it was a huge bonus having a whole row of 3 to ourselves.
The real hack that I've found is flying early in the day. I come from the east coast but I'll do an overnight layover on the west coast. Sure it adds a a couple hundred for a hotel and extra time but what it does provide is a good night's sleep before a 10-12 hour flight. The when you leave in the morning you don't need to sleep because you'll land in the early afternoon in Japan which will feel like very late at night but you can fight through it until early night and you sleep very well the first night. You wake up early the next day and are ready to go.
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briangross
Literally the ONLY thing I care about is the SEAT and being able to SLEEP on an intercontinental flight. So it's definitely unusual but IF this is the way that airlines can offer the ability to sleep, SO much more affordably then EVERYONE should copy them. Anything under $2000 each way for business class is a GOOD Price, which sounds expensive to most people but when you travel a lot for work, a good night's sleep can sometimes make all the difference to your performance and thus to your business too. The food choice was weird, but I was thinking it's probably a lot more usual for Japan, and the prices were VERY low, certainly cheaper than at a US airport on onboard a US airline. I would guess there are far more people concerned with sleep, as opposed to occasional travelers splurging and wanting to enjoy things like champagne, lounges, fancy meals and wine lists, screens, and so forth. I am tempted to try the similar services to Europe like LEVEL and something to France, I forget the name.
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Literally the ONLY thing I care about is the SEAT and being able to SLEEP on an intercontinental flight. So it's definitely unusual but IF this is the way that airlines can offer the ability to sleep, SO much more affordably then EVERYONE should copy them. Anything under $2000 each way for business class is a GOOD Price, which sounds expensive to most people but when you travel a lot for work, a good night's sleep can sometimes make all the difference to your performance and thus to your business too. The food choice was weird, but I was thinking it's probably a lot more usual for Japan, and the prices were VERY low, certainly cheaper than at a US airport on onboard a US airline. I would guess there are far more people concerned with sleep, as opposed to occasional travelers splurging and wanting to enjoy things like champagne, lounges, fancy meals and wine lists, screens, and so forth. I am tempted to try the similar services to Europe like LEVEL and something to France, I forget the name.
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patricphillip8591
Now, I am not as 'Flight mad' as you two (and I say that with love) so I don't really think of the soft product in Business class. I couldn't care less about Champagne, real plates and cutlery, 600 TV-shows and 1200 movies on demand since I have my own laptop to download movies to and not even free meals (I can bring my own. What I AM ready to pay for are things like the seat, leg room and power outlet. .so a budget 'business' is near perfect for me.
. but I cannot see it catching on. The big profit for airlines are overpriced budiness class. A bottle of Champagne between the passengers, real cuttlery and a 'normal' business class meal costing just under $5 to the airline (Yes really) and then charge 5 - 6 times more than an Economy ticket (often more. There is a GIGANTIC profit margin on each such ticket, so to do a bare-boned Business Class product would not benefit any airline, even if we (the public) would fall over ourselves to book it.
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Now, I am not as 'Flight mad' as you two (and I say that with love) so I don't really think of the soft product in Business class. I couldn't care less about Champagne, real plates and cutlery, 600 TV-shows and 1200 movies on demand since I have my own laptop to download movies to and not even free meals (I can bring my own. What I AM ready to pay for are things like the seat, leg room and power outlet. .so a budget 'business' is near perfect for me.
. but I cannot see it catching on. The big profit for airlines are overpriced budiness class. A bottle of Champagne between the passengers, real cuttlery and a 'normal' business class meal costing just under $5 to the airline (Yes really) and then charge 5 - 6 times more than an Economy ticket (often more. There is a GIGANTIC profit margin on each such ticket, so to do a bare-boned Business Class product would not benefit any airline, even if we (the public) would fall over ourselves to book it.
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Dtphonehome33
It’s a little disingenuous to compare the one way price on zipair to a full service airline like United or JAL. If you paid $2400 all in, round trip would be around $4800. JAL frequently has this flight round trip for $5000. So all things considered I would take the world-class JAL business class over this. Zipair is perfectly good, and if I needed a one way ticket it would be the best option. But most people fly round trip so you may as well get the full business class experience for a couple hundred bucks more. Also you can often add on an intra-Japan flight for no additional cost on JAL or ANA.
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It’s a little disingenuous to compare the one way price on zipair to a full service airline like United or JAL. If you paid $2400 all in, round trip would be around $4800. JAL frequently has this flight round trip for $5000. So all things considered I would take the world-class JAL business class over this. Zipair is perfectly good, and if I needed a one way ticket it would be the best option. But most people fly round trip so you may as well get the full business class experience for a couple hundred bucks more. Also you can often add on an intra-Japan flight for no additional cost on JAL or ANA.
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JTamashi
I price out Zipair with its add-on costs and other business class options all the time, but. Zipair's not really that cheap. You said you paid $2226 one-way Houston to Tokyo I'm booking from LAX to Tokyo, but I paid $4200 R/T for business class on Asiana with a one-stop at Incheon. And it's business class from Incheon to Narita too. Much better option than ZipAir even with the Incheon stopover. Full business class privileges with lounge, meals, multiple bags and amenities. ZipAir from LAX pricing isn't all that different from Houston to Tokyo.
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I price out Zipair with its add-on costs and other business class options all the time, but. Zipair's not really that cheap. You said you paid $2226 one-way Houston to Tokyo I'm booking from LAX to Tokyo, but I paid $4200 R/T for business class on Asiana with a one-stop at Incheon. And it's business class from Incheon to Narita too. Much better option than ZipAir even with the Incheon stopover. Full business class privileges with lounge, meals, multiple bags and amenities. ZipAir from LAX pricing isn't all that different from Houston to Tokyo.
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ODX_Animation
Good to note Zipair is a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, and it's called full flat class rather than business class as you're generally paying for the seat itself and everything, as experienced, is add-on extras available to most anyone in the plane rather than exclusively for business class. Overall it's a neat, unique product and I think many people really appreciate the extra space of business class more than most anything else. Hoping to maybe fly them soon from Vancouver for a Japan trip, pending the price!
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Good to note Zipair is a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, and it's called full flat class rather than business class as you're generally paying for the seat itself and everything, as experienced, is add-on extras available to most anyone in the plane rather than exclusively for business class. Overall it's a neat, unique product and I think many people really appreciate the extra space of business class more than most anything else. Hoping to maybe fly them soon from Vancouver for a Japan trip, pending the price!
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barryj1956
Flew JAL from YVR to NRT and then Zip Air NRT to YVR last October. The Zip Air lie flat seat was twice the price of the JAL economy seat. JAL runs 2-4-2 on their 787-8 economy seats and quite frankly, while the lie flat seat was nice, I don't think it was worth it. JAL had lots of legroom, nice wide seats, everything was included in the price and the service excellent. I found the lie flat seat to be a bit tatty and that might be the colour scheme as the black showed every piece of dirt and dust.
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Flew JAL from YVR to NRT and then Zip Air NRT to YVR last October. The Zip Air lie flat seat was twice the price of the JAL economy seat. JAL runs 2-4-2 on their 787-8 economy seats and quite frankly, while the lie flat seat was nice, I don't think it was worth it. JAL had lots of legroom, nice wide seats, everything was included in the price and the service excellent. I found the lie flat seat to be a bit tatty and that might be the colour scheme as the black showed every piece of dirt and dust.
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c_a_a_a_c
I don’t understand why you have to call this a business seat. ZIPAIR never advertises it as a business product. It also obviously is not one given it offers zero perks other than the seat itself.
It is an extra-size economy product, like Delta Comfort, United Economy Plus or American Main Extra. If you need a gimmicky title, how about the world’s largest economy seat
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I don’t understand why you have to call this a business seat. ZIPAIR never advertises it as a business product. It also obviously is not one given it offers zero perks other than the seat itself.
It is an extra-size economy product, like Delta Comfort, United Economy Plus or American Main Extra. If you need a gimmicky title, how about the world’s largest economy seat
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CGR89
This sounds like it was made for me. I haven’t watched anything on an airplane TV in years, I always prefer to download entertainment onto my iPad and just watch that. I’m more than capable of bringing my own food/drinks and blanket/pillow. All I want is privacy and personal space. I’m definitely looking into this when I plan my Japan trip, thank you!
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This sounds like it was made for me. I haven’t watched anything on an airplane TV in years, I always prefer to download entertainment onto my iPad and just watch that. I’m more than capable of bringing my own food/drinks and blanket/pillow. All I want is privacy and personal space. I’m definitely looking into this when I plan my Japan trip, thank you!
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chrism1102
Truth be told, I still wouldn't pay 5 times more for a business class seat. I'd purchase the cheapest economy ticket and turn it into premium economy by purchasing all the optional add-ons. Meals, amenity kits and most importantly, the seat itself would be in the exit row with only 2 seats across etc. and save myself a good grand in the process.
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Truth be told, I still wouldn't pay 5 times more for a business class seat. I'd purchase the cheapest economy ticket and turn it into premium economy by purchasing all the optional add-ons. Meals, amenity kits and most importantly, the seat itself would be in the exit row with only 2 seats across etc. and save myself a good grand in the process.
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iancosgrove8069
I did zipair in March and honestly loved it. It was $800 round trip in economy from LAX during cherry blossom season plus the $100 package that Jeb mentioned. You do have to essentially take care of yourself and bring extra food etc. but as a college student it’s perfect. Tickets can be as low as like $250 I think one way
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I did zipair in March and honestly loved it. It was $800 round trip in economy from LAX during cherry blossom season plus the $100 package that Jeb mentioned. You do have to essentially take care of yourself and bring extra food etc. but as a college student it’s perfect. Tickets can be as low as like $250 I think one way
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davidburrow5895
I must say you're making me feel better about the $4, 900 round-trip business ticket I bought on ANA-essentially the same as what you paid for this. It also seems strange to me that the attendants kept re-checking your boarding passes. I'd think pre-orders would be in their system paired with the appropriate seats.
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I must say you're making me feel better about the $4, 900 round-trip business ticket I bought on ANA-essentially the same as what you paid for this. It also seems strange to me that the attendants kept re-checking your boarding passes. I'd think pre-orders would be in their system paired with the appropriate seats.
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jeb_brooks
For budget airlines, no matter how long I always bring lots of snacks from home, empty reusable water bottle for water, empty disposable water bottle for flavored drink packets and fill up my water bottles when I cross through TSA. What's the point of doing budget if you spend over 40 dollars at the airport snack stands
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For budget airlines, no matter how long I always bring lots of snacks from home, empty reusable water bottle for water, empty disposable water bottle for flavored drink packets and fill up my water bottles when I cross through TSA. What's the point of doing budget if you spend over 40 dollars at the airport snack stands
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Ccluvceci
The ZipAir business class is actually overpriced. You’re looking at $1500 for one way without any baggage, priority checkin, lounge access, inflight services or any of the amenities. It’s good if you book for peak seasons but for off-peak seasons you can easily find $3000 roundtrip for ANA and JAL with full service.
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The ZipAir business class is actually overpriced. You’re looking at $1500 for one way without any baggage, priority checkin, lounge access, inflight services or any of the amenities. It’s good if you book for peak seasons but for off-peak seasons you can easily find $3000 roundtrip for ANA and JAL with full service.
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jfoztube
From what I've seen, you can often get a business seat on ZipAir for around the same price as an economy seat on the full fare airlines. Makes me wonder who would choose the economy seats in other airlines if they could get a business seat on ZipAir instead for about the same price. The Starlink internet seals the deal.
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From what I've seen, you can often get a business seat on ZipAir for around the same price as an economy seat on the full fare airlines. Makes me wonder who would choose the economy seats in other airlines if they could get a business seat on ZipAir instead for about the same price. The Starlink internet seals the deal.
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EpsilonZer0
Its hard to knock what Zipair is trying to do, but I would never fly it for business unless there was no other choice for the reason that writing an expense report for every ancillary item from the flight would be a PIA. But I hope it succeeds enough to put downward pressure on ticket prices at the other airlines.
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Its hard to knock what Zipair is trying to do, but I would never fly it for business unless there was no other choice for the reason that writing an expense report for every ancillary item from the flight would be a PIA. But I hope it succeeds enough to put downward pressure on ticket prices at the other airlines.
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SonnyC_88
Not having a TV is kinda crazy but considering everyone has a phone or tablet now plus wifi it's really not that bad. But I like checking the map and seeing how much longer the flight is so I'm not sure how that works.
I would still 100% give this a shot just because the savings is too good to pass up haha.
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Not having a TV is kinda crazy but considering everyone has a phone or tablet now plus wifi it's really not that bad. But I like checking the map and seeing how much longer the flight is so I'm not sure how that works.
I would still 100% give this a shot just because the savings is too good to pass up haha.
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ppeetteerrrrr
Proper sleep is probably the #1 most important thing as someone who flies to asia half a dozen times a year. Not lounges, not tv's with 5000 movies. Often times a 5 course meal just gets in the way of sleep even when you don't want it you'll still hear and smell all the other passengers in business eating.
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Proper sleep is probably the #1 most important thing as someone who flies to asia half a dozen times a year. Not lounges, not tv's with 5000 movies. Often times a 5 course meal just gets in the way of sleep even when you don't want it you'll still hear and smell all the other passengers in business eating.
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