✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Zipair is the long-haul low-cost arm of Japan Airlines, flying widebody Boeing 787s out of Tokyo Narita to Asia, Hawaii and the US West Coast. Like other ultra-low-cost carriers, its base fare buys you a seat and carry-on only — checked baggage is never included in the cheapest fare and is charged per piece, with the price rising sharply by route distance.
You get two carry-on pieces totalling 7 kg free. Everything beyond that — a heavier cabin allowance or any checked bag — is bought as an add-on or bundled into one of Zipair’s three Service Packages (Flex Biz, Value, Premium). All figures below were verified against Zipair’s official baggage and fare-rules pages in 2026; fees are quoted in Japanese yen ex-Japan and in USD on US-origin flights.
Quick facts
| Personal / 2nd carry-on | Yes (free) | Max 45 x 35 x 25 cm; part of 7 kg total |
| Carry-on (1st piece) | Yes (free) | Max 55 x 40 x 25 cm; 7 kg for both pieces combined |
| Checked bag | Not included | Per-piece fee from ~¥4,000 / ~$58; 30 kg, 203 cm max |
| Cheapest fare | Carry-on only | Add bag or buy Value/Premium package separately |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 45 x 35 x 25 cm. Counts as your second carry-on piece; fits under the seat. Both carry-on pieces together must not exceed 7 kg. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 55 x 40 x 25 cm · 7 kg total for both pieces Free; +8 kg upgrade to 15 kg from ¥2,000 (Narita-Seoul) to ¥5,000 (Narita-US), bought 24h+ ahead |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Not included in base fare; max 5 pieces |
| Weight limit | 30 kg per piece (sports/oversize items up to 32 kg) |
| Typical fee | Per piece, varies by route: ~¥4,000 Narita-Seoul, ~¥6,000 Narita-Bangkok/Manila, ~¥7,500 Narita-Honolulu, ~¥11,000 Narita-San Francisco; US-origin ~$58 (Honolulu) to ~$85 (San Francisco). +¥1,000 if bought at the airport. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (base fare) | Included as 2nd piece | 7 kg (2 pieces) | None — buy separately |
| Flex Biz Package | Included | 15 kg (+8 kg upgrade) | None |
| Value Package | Included | 7 kg | 1 x 30 kg |
| Premium Package | Included | 15 kg (+8 kg upgrade) | 1 x 30 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a Zipair deal fare: when you book the headline price, you are on the Standard base fare — a seat plus 7 kg of carry-on across two pieces, and nothing in the hold. There is no free checked bag on any Zipair fare.
If you only travel cabin-only, Zipair’s 7 kg / two-piece allowance is genuinely usable and the deal price stands. The moment you need the hold, factor the per-piece fee into the real cost: that is roughly ¥4,000 on short Asian hops but ¥11,000 (about $75-85) on the US routes — each way, per bag. On a Tokyo-San Francisco return, one checked bag can add the equivalent of $150+ to a fare. Always pre-pay online; buying at the airport adds a ¥1,000 admin fee per transaction, and a cabin bag found over 7 kg at the gate is checked at the full bag fee plus that surcharge. If you’ll definitely check a bag, price the Value Package against buying the bag à la carte — the bundle often wins once a seat and meal are added.
Oversize, sports & special items
Carry-on details: two pieces are allowed — a main bag up to 55 x 40 x 25 cm and a smaller personal item up to 45 x 35 x 25 cm — but the combined weight cap is just 7 kg. You can raise this to 15 kg by buying the +8 kg upgrade (¥2,000-¥5,000 by route) at least 24 hours before departure; it cannot be bought on travel day.
Checked-bag limits: each piece may weigh up to 30 kg and measure no more than 203 cm total (length + width + height), with a maximum of 5 pieces per passenger. Fees are charged per piece regardless of weight and rise with distance. Strollers, child car seats and one wheelchair per passenger are carried free and do not count toward the 5-piece limit.
Sports gear and oversize items: golf clubs and skis/snowboards (under 200 cm) run roughly ¥6,000-¥8,000 by route; bicycles and surfboards over 200 cm run roughly ¥11,000-¥13,000, with a 32 kg per-item limit. These count toward your 5-piece allowance. Musical instruments must fit in the overhead bin or be checked as standard/oversize baggage.
Frequently asked questions
Is a checked bag included in Zipair's cheapest fare?
No. The Standard base fare includes only carry-on (7 kg across two pieces). Any checked bag must be bought separately as an add-on or as part of the Value or Premium Service Package.
How much is a Zipair checked bag?
It is a per-piece fee that varies by route: roughly ¥4,000 Narita-Seoul, ¥6,000 Narita-Bangkok or Manila, ¥7,500 Narita-Honolulu and ¥11,000 Narita-San Francisco. On US-origin flights it is about $58 from Honolulu and $85 from San Francisco. Buying at the airport adds a ¥1,000 admin fee.
What is Zipair's carry-on allowance?
Two pieces totalling 7 kg: a main bag up to 55 x 40 x 25 cm and a smaller item up to 45 x 35 x 25 cm. You can upgrade to 15 kg total by paying for an extra 8 kg at least 24 hours before departure.
How heavy can a Zipair checked bag be?
Up to 30 kg per piece, with maximum dimensions of 203 cm (length + width + height). You may check up to 5 pieces. Sports and oversize items are allowed up to 32 kg each.
Which Zipair package includes a checked bag?
The Value Package (1 x 30 kg bag, seat selection, meal) and the Premium Package (same plus a 15 kg cabin allowance and amenity set). The Flex Biz Package does not include a checked bag — it bundles the 15 kg carry-on, seat selection and a date-change voucher.
Can I pay for a Zipair bag at the airport?
Yes, but it costs more — airport baggage purchases add a ¥1,000 administration fee, and only credit or debit cards are accepted at the counter. Pre-paying online via Manage Booking is always cheaper.
What happens if my carry-on is over 7 kg?
If your cabin baggage exceeds 7 kg at the gate without a pre-purchased upgrade, it will be checked at the full checked-bag fee plus the ¥1,000 airport admin charge. Buy the +8 kg upgrade in advance to avoid this.