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In June 2022, Zipair announced that the large letter Z on the tailfin of its livery would be replaced with a green geometric pattern to avoid misunderstandings, as the letter has been used as a military symbol by the Russian Armed Forces during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Also in June 2022, the airline announced a new service between Tokyo Narita and San Jose International Airport to launch during December 2022, before subsequently specifying December 12, 2022 as the launch date for the service.In March 2019, the brand of the new carrier was named Zipair, referencing the words “Zip”, which represents speed, and “ZIP Code”. Subsequently, T.B.L. was renamed “Zipair Tokyo Inc.” Zipair’s planned operations consisted of international flights from Narita International Airport to Bangkok and Seoul, launching on May 14 and July 1, 2020, respectively with Boeing 787-8 aircraft transferred from JAL. The airline planned to launch additional destinations in Asia, while flights to the United States were planned to be added by 2021.

In early 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation disrupted Zipair’s plans for its launch of operations, with Thailand banning all incoming passenger flights from April 4, 2020, and the Japanese government introducing strict border enforcement measures. Under these circumstances, Zipair announced on April 9, 2020 that its launch of service would be postponed until further notice, although later that month the airline applied with the US Department of Transportation for the operation of a route to Honolulu to begin on October 25, 2020. On May 21, 2020, it was announced that the airline had submitted an application to the Japanese authority for the launch of cargo flights between Tokyo and Bangkok to meet the needs for air cargo during the suspension of passenger flights. Zipair proceeded to launch services on June 3, 2020, initially as a cargo airline, with its fleet of Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

Following its launch as a cargo-only airline, Zipair inaugurated its passenger services on October 16, 2020. The following month, on November 20, 2020, the airline announced the details of its first route to the United States, with flights between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu launching on December 19, 2020. On July 20, 2021, the airline announced a new service between Tokyo Narita and Singapore, with flights launching on September 7, 2021. On October 28, 2021, the airline added a third aircraft to its fleet with a Boeing 787-8 transferred from Japan Airlines. On November 12, 2021, the airline announced a new service between Tokyo Narita and Los Angeles International Airport to begin on December 25, 2021.Zipair, officially Zipair Tokyo Inc. (株式会社 Zipair Tokyo, Kabushiki-gaisha Jippu-ea Tōkyō, styled ZIPAIR Tokyo), is a Japanese low-cost airline headquartered on the grounds of Tokyo Narita Airport. Initially founded in 2018, the airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines, from which it leases its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Operations launched on June 3, 2020 as a cargo-only airline due to restrictions on passenger traffic related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and passenger operations launched on October 16, 2020.

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced in May 2018 that it planned to launch a new international low-cost carrier during mid-2020, which was to compete with other Asian carriers attempting to expand into the Japanese market, such as AirAsia X. JAL established a wholly owned subsidiary for preparing the business, legally incorporated as T.B.L. Co., Ltd. (株式会社ティー・ビー・エル, Kabushiki-gaisha Tī Bī Eru, standing for “To Be Launched”), in July that year. It was estimated that the airline would commence operation in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

On February 21, 2023, Zipair announced plans to begin services to San Francisco and Manila during the year, as well as to increase its fleet to seven aircraft. It later announced on April 6, 2023 that it would begin service to San Francisco International Airport on June 2, 2023. Details of its Manila service were revealed on April 28, 2023, with flights to Ninoy Aquino International Airport beginning on July 1, 2023.

Terminal 1 is the largest terminal with 40 gates and the most amenities. It’s split into three sections: the North Wing, the Central Building, and the South Wing.We’ll admit that, compared to other international airports, Narita isn’t the most interesting. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. There is a good range of dining and shopping options, and even an airport-wide intiative to help you have fun at Narita Airport.

Traveling with lots of luggage? You can arrange to have it ported from the airport to your accommodation (and vice versa) using any of the luggage courier services found in the arrivals halls at all three terminals. Do this at Terminal 3 and you can walk hands-free to Terminal 2 and catch the train into Tokyo (or onwards).

The airport has two train stations, aptly named Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station and Narita Airport Terminal 2/3 Station. Terminal 2/3 Station is located at Terminal 2, and is the nearest station for Terminal 3 (which doesn’t have it’s own train station).This also means that even if you’re a frequent visitor to Narita Airport, you may only really get to know one terminal — if you regularly fly the same airline.If you’ve got a layover, consider checking out our full guide on making the most of your layover. Alternatively, if you’ve got time to kill before heading to the airport, why not check out the airport’s namesake Narita City? There’s a lot of things to see in Narita City, including museums and temples.

Terminal 2 has the only hotel actually attached to Narita Airport — Nine Hours capsule hotel. It’s on the landside of the airport (as opposed to airside), meaning if you’re arriving, you’ll have to complete entry procedures to Japan before you can access it.

The airport train stations are located in the basement (B1F) of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. In the arrivals hall of either terminal, you can find clearly marked escalators that will take you to the train stations. Arriving at Terminal 3, you can either take a free shuttle bus or walk to Terminal 2 to catch a train — not a deal breaker at all, but just make sure to factor that in. You can also opt for a bus or a taxi (including pre-booked taxis, as well as shared minibus/taxi services, and regular cabs) from any of the terminals, including Terminal 3.

In all terminals, the International Arrivals hall is on the first/ground floor. The Domestic Arrivals hall is on the 3rd floor — from where you can get elevators or escalators down to the first/ground floor — at terminals 1 and 2; at Terminal 3, all flights use the same hall.As we said, Terminal 3 is the main terminal for LCCs, so it’s a no-frills affair. Besides the small food court and a handful of souvenir shops, there isn’t too much to see or do. Luckily, Terminal 2 is easy to get to.

Some of these security measures continued for a long time after construction was complete. In fact, right up until 2015 Narita Airport was the only airport in Japan where visitors had to show I.D. to enter. The protests also influenced the decision to build Kansai International Airport — the nearest international airport to Osaka — offshore on a man-made island.

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Returning to the airport, make sure you know your terminal. Not only do you need to decide about the train, you also need to remember that Terminal 1 and Terminal 2/3 have separate train stations (and each terminal has its own bus stop). Coming from Tokyo, the train stop for Terminal 2/3 comes before Terminal 1, which is the last stop on the line.At Narita Airport, except in specific situations, planes are prohibited from taking off or landing between midnight and 6 a.m. This is to reduce noise pollution, which was a major concern of the local community when the airport was first built. However, all three of Narita Airport’s terminals are open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Some doors may be shut during darkness hours but the central terminal doors should be open. At both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, you’ll also find convenience stores, coffee shops, currency exchange, and SIM card and pocket wifi rental counters in the arrivals hall; at Terminal 3, head to the second floor for these services. The best variety of shops and restaurants is in the Airport Mall, entry to which is located on the 4th floor of the Central Building (which connects the South and North wings). There’s a budget-friendly food court on the mall’s 5th floor — also where the skydeck is located.Free shuttle buses run between all three terminals. On average, they depart every 5 to 6 minutes between 5 a.m and 11 p.m., and take no longer than 20 minutes to get between terminals (usually). You can also take the train between Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station and Narita Airport Terminal 2/3 Station, or walk (between T2 and T3 only).

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Since they were built at different times, Narita’s terminals are quite different. But rest assured all have basic services and facilities covered. Additional amenities can be found only in certain terminals.If you mess this up, you’ll have to get back on the train or take the free shuttle bus between terminals. While you can easily walk between T2 and T3, T1 is not within walking distance.

Departing from Terminal 1, you’ll also need to know if you’re going to the South Wing or the North Wing. But don’t worry, there is plenty of signage to help you out (and you can walk between the two wings if necessary).

All of these facilities and amenities are landside. (Landside means the part of the airport open to the public, so arriving passengers must complete arrivals procedures — all the way through customs — to reach this part. Airside, meanwhile, is only open to ticketed passengers after departure procedures are completed, or before you exit customs, for arriving passengers).Very little is actually open 24 hours — pretty much just the convenience stores. There are also 24 hour ATMs and vending machines (including SIM card vending machines). Otherwise, the various airport Starbucks and McDonald’s start opening around 7 a.m. and stay open, at the latest, until about 9 p.m. Other cafes and restaurants have shorter opening hours.Despite the protests, construction went ahead and the first terminal building was completed in 1972. The residents and students continued to protest and construction was often delayed. When the airport finally opened on May 20 1978, there were extreme security measures in place.

Narita Airport’s history is full of controversy. It all started because Haneda Airport was becoming too busy and noisy, so the government decided to build a new airport in an agricultural area near Narita City called Sanrizuka.Ah yes, Narita Airport, one of Tokyo’s two international airports. Even if you’re arriving in Japan for the first time, you’ve probably heard of it. But did you know that Narita Airport isn’t actually in Tokyo? Or that, despite this, it was originally called New Tokyo International Airport?

Keep in mind that the shuttle buses don’t have dedicated luggage storage space. If you have a lot of luggage, take the train between Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station and Narita Airport Terminal 2/3 Station.

Note: There are a couple of LCCs that depart from one of the two main terminals. These include Peach and Zipair (both use T1 North Wing) — so be sure to check in advance (especially on your way back to the airport). The stations are serviced by two train operators: JR, which runs the Narita Express, and Keisei, which runs the Skyliner. Both also run cheaper, regular trains that take longer and are more likely to require transfers. Another thing to note about Narita Airport is that it was originally publicly owned and called New Tokyo International Airport. In 2004, due to issues around landing fees, the airport was privatized and renamed Narita Airport. However, the issue of landing fees still causes issues and makes Narita Airport a diffucult place for LCCs to operate.

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It is not, however, easy to walk between Terminal 1 and the other two terminals. Terminal 1 is further away and there’s no dedicated connecting walkway. You’d have to walk on footpaths along busy roads, taking about 20 minutes. In this case, we recommend taking the shuttle bus or a train instead.