Florida Launches First-Ever Nonstop Flights to Japan

Floridians dreaming of a trip to Japan have long faced a pricey — and often time-consuming — reality: shelling out thousands of dollars and connecting through another major hub before finally crossing the Pacific to the island nation.

That appears to be changing.

This week, Zipair, a budget carrier and subsidiary of Japan Airlines (which some have compared to the Japanese version of Spirit Airlines), operated its first-ever nonstop flight from Florida to Japan. It marked the first nonstop passenger flight between the Sunshine State and the Asia-Pacific region.

Nearly 300 passengers arrived from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Monday afternoon, linking two Disney park destinations and carrying what airport officials called “dozens of Disney enthusiasts.”

“Orlando and Tokyo are two of the world’s most visited destinations,” said Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which manages MCO. “I am hopeful that this connection will help to enrich cultural ties and create more opportunities for robust economic activity.”

According to Zipair’s website, a nonstop one-way economy flight from Orlando to Tokyo starts at about $810, while a business-class seat can cost around $1,960.

As with many budget airlines, amenities such as meals, checked bags, and seat selection incur additional fees. There are no seatback screens onboard; instead, the airline uses what some have described as a BYOD (“bring your own device”) model, offering free in-flight entertainment that passengers can stream to their personal devices via onboard Wi-Fi.

The only catch? For now, it appears to be a seasonal route — and it’s already sold out online.

The airline is operating a limited charter passenger service between Tokyo and Orlando, with three additional round-trip flights scheduled this season on February 28, March 5, and March 10.

Asked whether the nonstop charter passenger service is a way to test demand for a permanent route from Orlando to Tokyo, a MCO spokesperson told New Times: “The charter passenger service will help to inform MCO and Zipair on future and, possibly, expanded service. The demand will certainly play a role.”

The spokesperson also added that Orlando is “within a two-hour drive of 55 percent of the Japanese and Asian population in Florida,” suggesting the route could meet the communities’ travel needs. “It is difficult to predict, but there is certainly a possibility that this could become a year-round service.”

The announcement about Zipair’s charter service — which the MCO spokesperson clarifies differs from commercial flights because of its limited operations — was first made in October at a press conference in Tokyo. Ticket sales began late last year.

According to the airport’s statement at the time, MCO and airline officials “anticipate that the charter service will lay a foundation for additional flights between the two destinations.”