There’s a new option for diehard Disney fans completing Cinderella Castle-to-Cinderella Castle challenges via nonstop flights between Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland’s home airports in Orlando and Japan. This post will share details about the budget airline offering these direct itineraries for the first time ever plus our commentary.
For the first time in its history, Orlando International Airport will offer nonstop passenger flights to Tokyo, enriching cultural ties and creating more opportunities for robust economic activity between two of the world’s most visited regions.
The new service will be operated by low cost carrier ZIPAIR, which is a subsidiary of the highly-regarded Japan Airlines (JAL). The flights are not only the first-ever nonstop routes between Tokyo and Orlando, but also the first nonstop passenger service between Florida and the Asia Pacific. Tokyo had been Orlando’s largest unserved Asian market.
ZIPAIR is a newer player in the airline industry, having launched in 2020 (perfect timing!). It has since gained a lot of momentum on pricing, as ZIPAIR routinely has roundtrip flights for under $500. I’ve even seen prices that are below $400 out of LAX, with the premium lay-flat seats being far and away the cheapest option in the industry–and often selling fast.
We’ve yet to fly ZIPAIR, but wouldn’t hesitate to do so if the opportunity arose. We’ve heard nothing but good things from everyone we know. We’ve had very positive experiences with JAL, and will by flying with the parent carrier again soon.
As a general matter, “low cost carrier” probably shouldn’t carry the same stigma with international airlines as it does among domestic ones. Our suspicion is that’s doubly true when it comes to a Japanese carrier, given differences in service standards.
The announcement was made at the Hotel New Otani on Tuesday to a wide-ranging audience of company executives from Disney, government representatives, and tourism officials, along with dozens of media members. (Hardcore “The Price is Right” fans who watch the old Bob Barker era episodes might recognize the Hotel New Otani as a frequent prize from the 1980s. Yes, really.)
“Our partnership with ZIPAIR is more than just a new route. It’s history,” said Lance Lyttle, Chief Executive Officer for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which operates Orlando International Airport. “This will be the first-ever nonstop passenger flight between Asia Pacific and the state of Florida. The partnership is a testament to the economic strength we share between our communities. We look forward to welcoming ZIPAIR passengers with the warmth and hospitality that both our nations cherish.”
“We are extremely proud of this historic achievement, as this will be the first non-stop charter flight from Japan to Orlando, Florida,” said Shingo Nishida, Representative Director/President, ZIPAIR Tokyo. “Orlando is home to numerous world-class theme parks and by operating these charter flights for travelers from Japan, we hope to meet our customers’ expectations when they experience ZIPAIR’s new standard in air travel. We certainly look forward to welcoming Disney fans and guests on our charter flights next Spring.”
The announcement quickly drew support across the Central Florida region, which has collaborated for several years to bring passenger flights to and from Japan. Here’s what various stakeholders are saying:
Atsuko Germano, mickeynet, LLC: “This is a tremendous win for international tourism and for our guests. By providing more direct and convenient access, this charter passenger service will open the door for countless families and travelers to enjoy the unforgettable adventures these destinations offer on both sides of the Pacific.”
(Note: I was curious about this company, so I checked it out–Mickey Net is a travel agency based in Florida that’s aimed at Japanese tourists. While these flights might sound like a big win for American Disney fans, the core demographic is almost certainly Japanese Disney fans. However hardcore you think we all are about Disney, multiply that times 10. Japanese Disney fans will likely make up 75% or more of the passengers on these flights.)
Faron Kelley, SVP, Disney Destinations Sales Strategy & Solutions, Disney Experiences: “Direct connectivity between Orlando and Tokyo brings Disney magic closer than ever. Whether it’s exploring the wonder of Walt Disney World Resort or enjoying the enchantment of Tokyo Disney Resort, this new nonstop flight opens the door to unforgettable vacations and cherished memories for families and friends on both sides of the globe.”
Casandra Matej, President & CEO, Visit Orlando: “This new direct air service from Tokyo is a landmark moment for Orlando, opening an entirely new gateway and making us the first destination in Florida with connectivity with Asia. It reflects years of collaboration with Orlando International Airport, Disney and several Central Florida tourism partners, and supports Visit Orlando’s long-term vision to grow international visitation. This new route unlocks exciting opportunities to showcase Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, thrilling sports, vibrant culinary scene, and rich cultural experiences to travelers across Asia.”
D.T. Minich, President & CEO, Experience Kissimmee: “Connecting two continents through this new air service is more than a new destination – it’s also a bridge between cultures, economies, and opportunities. Every new flight brings our regions closer together, encouraging the exchange of ideas, the growth of tourism, and the strengthening of business partnerships.”
MCO-NRT Flight Dates & Details
ZIPAIR will operate four charter flights between MCO (Orlando) and NRT (Tokyo) between February 23 and March 10, 2026. Travel and tourism leaders say the charter flights could lay the groundwork for additional service between Orlando and Tokyo.
Overview
Route: Narita International Airport = Orlando International Airport
Number of Flights: 4 Roundtrip Flights (Total 8 Flights per Direction)
Planned Dates of Operation: February 23, February 28, March 5, and March 10, 2026
Flights Depart Narita during the afternoon ⇒ Arriving at Orlando in the afternoon
Flights Depart Orlando during the afternoon ⇒ Arriving Narita in the evening
ZIPAIR sales are scheduled to begin early December 2025. Detailed dates and times will be announced at a later date.
Our Commentary
Note that these 8 routes are on the same day because they should arrive in Orlando before they depart Tokyo thanks to the magic of time travel. So for example, the flight on March 10, 2026 might leave Tokyo at 1 pm, and then land at MCO at noon, also on March 10, 2026. It will then be able to depart the same day, obviously, with a brief turnaround in between.
Going the other direction is the opposite story. The March 10, 2026 flight might depart MCO at 3 pm, and then land at NRT at 9 pm on March 11, 2026. I don’t know the exact flight times, since they haven’t been announced, I’m just guessing based on how flights go from LAX.
Depending on the flight times, this should make the same-day Cinderella Castle to Cinderella Castle challenge a little easier. Better yet, you could do Dreamlights and Starlight night parades within 24 hours! Best of all, both Country Bear Christmas and Country Bear Musical Jamboree in the same day. (Be careful with that one–risks awesomeness overload!)
If the flight leaves Tokyo sometime in the afternoon, you’d theoretically be able to visit Tokyo Disneyland in the morning, take the Happy Airport Limo to NRT, catch the ZIPAIR flight to MCO, take Mears Connect to a monorail loop resort, and walk over to Magic Kingdom.
Thanks to the magic of time zones, it’d be fairly easy to take a trip to Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in the same day, too! Now we just need more nonstop flights between MCO and SNA so the final leg of a castle-to-castle-to-castle challenge is easier.
Seriously, Delta and Southwest, every time I’m on flights between the two coasts, around half of the passengers on my connecting flight are also on the final flight. There’s clearly a market for this, and it’s being underserved by Breeze, which is seasonal (and the wrong season!). One nonstop flight per weekend out of LGB isn’t enough!
Ultimately, I’m bringing this to your attention because it’s good news for Disney fans, but also for selfish reasons. We’ve done several NRT to MCO routes with layovers in the past, and almost certainly will again in the future. I’d love for this to be a smash success resulting in increased routes so we have greater options. My hope is that this test goes well and is expanded by November 2026, as we’d love to use this for our annual Christmas trips!
Planning a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort? For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Trip Planning Guide! For more specifics, our TDR Hotel Rankings & Reviews page covers accommodations. Our Restaurant Reviews detail where to dine & snack. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money post. Our What to Pack for Disney post takes a unique look at clever items to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Consult our Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Japan and City Guide to Tokyo, Japan.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you book a Cinderella Castle to Cinderella Castle Disney flight from Japan to Orlando on ZIPAIR? Intrigued by this low-cost carrier offering flights into and out of NRT and MCO, or will you stick with your preferred airline? If you’ve never visited Japan, does this make you more likely to go? Do you have a favorite international airline? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
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