ZIPAIR's Chairman, Hiroo Iwakoshi, greeting passengers as they board the inaugural flight to Tokyo
Jim Szczesniak, Houston’s Aviation Director, cuts the ribbon with Zipair’s Chairman, Hiroo Iwakoshi, and the airline staff.
Houston Airports Director of Aviation shares remarks at the gate event for the inaugural flight.
Japanese drumming ensemble, Kaminari Taiko, performing before the flight departure.
Houston Airports welcomed the arrival of ZIPAIR's inaugural flight from Tokyo with a grand celebration and a traditional water cannon salute, marking the beginning of an exciting new connection between Houston, Texas, and Tokyo, Japan.
The celebration in Terminal D Gate 14 welcomed passengers and crew with a vibrant atmosphere featuring live music from our popular Harmony in the Air Program. Adding to the excitement, Houston's renowned Japanese drumming ensemble, Kaminari Taiko, mesmerized the crowd with their dynamic rhythms and vibrant choreography.
Director of Aviation for Houston Airports Jim Szczesniak, Chairman of ZIPAIR Tokyo Hiroo Iwakoshi, and the Consul of Japan Shinsuke Mochizuki gathered to commemorate the occasion, highlighting the significance of this new international connection between George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT).
"Japan is one of our most valued economic and cultural partners, and is Houston's seventh-largest international trade market," said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. "This new route strengthens those ties, creating new opportunities for business, education, and tourism."
ZIPAIR will operate four weekly flights between Houston and Tokyo, using Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The airline's president highlighted its distinctive business model, which provides a comfortable and affordable travel experience for both experienced and new travelers.
"Japan is a country that captivates travelers from around the world. It is a fantastic destination to visit year-round," said Hiroo Iwakoshi, Chairman of ZIPAIR Tokyo. "I understand that for many of you, this may be your first time flying with ZIPAIR, but I hope we become your airline of choice for your travels to Asia."
About ZIPAIR Tokyo
Established in 2018 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines, ZIPAIR features a fully customizable travel experience based on an LCC business model. Offering complimentary Wi-Fi for all classes of travel, the carrier operates the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner configured in a 290-seat layout. One of the few international airlines to provide a contactless inflight experience, ZIPAIR's self-ordering payment system is accessible to order meals and goods through a personal smartphone or tablet. Based out of Tokyo Narita, ZIPAIR currently operates in nine international destinations, including Bangkok, Singapore, Manila, Seoul, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San José Mineta, San Francisco, and Vancouver.