How a Japanese airline launched as a cargo carrier during a global pandemic

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born from a Japan Airlines subsidiary, ZIPAIR Tokyo was designed to compete in the low-cost international market. When the COVID-19 pandemic grounded passenger travel in 2020, the carrier pivoted to cargo operations to survive, eventually evolving into a trans-Pacific airline with a unique, minimalist approach to long-haul budget travel.

Originally incorporated as T.B.L. Co., Ltd. in July 2018, the airline was intended to launch in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics. By March 2019, it was rebranded as ZIPAIR Tokyo, a name chosen to evoke speed and the connectivity of postal zip codes. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines, it utilizes Boeing 787 Dreamliners transferred from its parent company to maintain its fleet.

The airline's debut was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a postponement of passenger services in April 2020. Demonstrating agility, the company pivoted to cargo-only flights between Tokyo and Bangkok starting on June 3, 2020, before finally inaugurating passenger operations on October 16, 2020. This period of uncertainty defined the airline's early strategy, forcing it to adapt to strict border enforcement measures while maintaining its long-term goal of international expansion.

ZIPAIR operates as a low-cost carrier, distinguishing itself with a buy-on-board model for catering and amenities. Instead of traditional in-seat screens, the airline provides complimentary Wi-Fi and streams entertainment directly to passengers' personal devices. Its service model is intentionally lean, offering only two seat types: standard and the premium ZIP Full Flat. The airline has continued to grow its network, expanding from initial Asian routes to major North American hubs like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston.

The airline has also navigated cultural and geopolitical sensitivities. In June 2022, it replaced the large letter Z on its tail fin with a green geometric pattern to avoid associations with the military symbol used by Russian forces during the invasion of Ukraine. Looking ahead, the company plans to continue scaling its fleet, with commitments to receive Boeing 787-9 aircraft starting in 2027.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• How Japan Airlines survived the largest non-financial bankruptcy in Japanese corporate history
• Japan's biggest airline still carries the code of a 1952 helicopter startup
• How a Japanese airport became a secret hub for global aerospace manufacturing logistics
• How a former resort and military base became the world's fourth-busiest airport
• How a Shanghai Airline Pivoted from Aviation to Electric Vehicle Production
• Modern zoning began when cities needed living rules
• How a Chinese heavyweight boxer became a global force after decades of state-managed obscurity.
• The flamboyant zoot suit became a dangerous symbol of defiance during World War II
• Zhengzhou’s rails turned a Shang capital into Henan’s hub
• The Soviet machine gun that became a global helicopter hunter
• From a 901st ranking to world number two
• The world's largest hovercraft can scale 5-foot walls and 5-degree slopes

More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics