Ibex Airlines

IBEX Airlines is a Japanese regional airline that serves as a reliable bridge between major metropolises and the picturesque corners of the country. Based in the city of Sendai, the carrier offers travellers a unique opportunity to reach key locations in Japan quickly and comfortably, bypassing congested transport hubs. Thanks to high service standards and a modern fleet, flying with IBEX becomes a pleasant part of discovering the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Features and History of Development

The airline was founded in 1999 and was originally named Fair Inc., commencing operations with flights from Sendai Airport. The carrier received its current name in 2004 in honour of the alpine ibex, a mountain goat that symbolizes vitality and the ability to conquer peaks. One of the key milestones in the company's development was a strategic partnership with Japan's largest carrier, ANA (All Nippon Airways), which allows passengers to benefit from convenient connections and unified booking standards.

Route Network and Service Regions

The flight geography of IBEX Airlines covers almost all of Japan, connecting northern and southern regions. Flights linking the city of Nagoya with the business and cultural centre of Kyushu — the city of Fukuoka — are particularly popular. For nature lovers, there are frequent departures to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido. The route map also includes flights to the historically significant Hiroshima and the port city of Niigata on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Fleet and Onboard Comfort

The airline's fleet consists exclusively of modern regional jet aircraft, the Bombardier CRJ-700 (NextGen series). These liners are valued by passengers for the quiet cabin and the absence of a "middle seat": the 2+2 seating configuration guarantees that every passenger will have either a window or an aisle seat. This creates a more private and peaceful atmosphere during the flight.

Safety and Values

The mission of IBEX Airlines is to support the regional economy and ensure the accessibility of air travel for local communities. Like any Japanese carrier, the company prioritises flight safety and punctuality. Crews are known for their professionalism and traditional Japanese hospitality, making even a short flight as pleasant as possible.

You can contact IBEX Airlines representatives to clarify flight details or make changes to a booking in several ways. Since the airline focuses primarily on the Japanese domestic market, the most up-to-date information is presented on the official web resource, although telephone support is also available for passengers.

Official Website

The main source of information where you can find schedules, carriage rules, and company news:

• Official Website: www.ibexair.co.jp (Japanese and English versions available)

Contact Information

• Reservation and Information Centre (within Japan): 0570-055-156 (Navi Dial — toll number). Operating hours: daily from 06:30 to 22:00 (Japan Standard Time).
• Phone for international calls and IP telephony: +81-22-721-7260. Please note that the code +81 is the country code for Japan, and the number is registered in the city of Sendai.
• Email: The airline does not provide a public email for direct correspondence with passengers. To send requests, it is recommended to use the "Inquiry" web form on the official website.
• Mobile App: IBEX Airlines does not have its own separate mobile application. To manage bookings from a phone, it is recommended to use the mobile version of the site or the partner application — ANA (if holding a code-share ticket).

Social Media

You can follow the carrier's news and special offers on their official pages:

• Facebook: IBEX Airlines Official
• Instagram: @ibexairlines_official
• X (Twitter): @IBEX_PR

Offices and Representatives

• Airport Counters: Airline offices and check-in counters are located at all served airports (including Sendai, Nagoya, Fukuoka) in domestic departure terminals. Please note: ground handling for IBEX flights is often carried out by staff from the partner airline, ANA.
• Head Office: Located in Tokyo (Koto-ku).

Please note: Contact details, call centre operating hours, and addresses may change. We strongly recommend checking the latest information in the "Contact Us" section on the official IBEX Airlines website before reaching out.

Proper baggage preparation is the key to a stress-free journey, especially when it comes to flights on smaller regional aircraft used by IBEX Airlines. Since the airline's fleet consists of compact CRJ-700 liners, the rules for transporting items here have their own specificities, which are important to consider before departing from the hub in Sendai or other airports in the route network.

Carry-on Baggage: Compactness is Paramount

Due to the design features of overhead bins in aircraft with a capacity of fewer than 100 seats, carry-on requirements at IBEX Airlines are stricter than those of large international carriers. Passengers are allowed to take into the cabin:

• One piece of carry-on baggage (bag, small wheeled suitcase).
• One personal item (handbag, briefcase, laptop, umbrella, or shopping bag).

The total weight of both items must not exceed 10 kg. The maximum dimensions of the main bag are 45 cm × 35 cm × 20 cm (the sum of the three dimensions must not exceed 100 cm). This is critically important: a standard "cabin-size" suitcase suitable for large Boeings may simply not fit in the CRJ-700 bin and will have to be checked in.

Checked Baggage

IBEX Airlines offers quite generous free baggage allowances for domestic flights, which is especially pleasing if you are flying, for example, to Sapporo with a winter wardrobe or bringing souvenirs from Fukuoka.

• Free allowance: Up to 20 kg per passenger (Economy Class).
• Number of pieces: There is no limit on the number of bags, the main thing is to stay within the total weight.
• Dimensions: The sum of three dimensions (length + width + height) of any single piece of baggage must not exceed 203 cm.

It is important to note that since IBEX often operates flights jointly with ANA (All Nippon Airways), baggage rules are unified. If your itinerary includes a transfer to an ANA flight, baggage is usually checked through to the final destination.

Excess Baggage

If the weight of your items exceeds 20 kg, an additional fee will be required. Rates depend on the route and the weight of the excess (up to 100 kg per passenger). Payment is made at the airport before departure. For example, when flying to Nagoya with heavy equipment, it is better to allocate extra time for issuing the receipt.

Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments

Japan is famous for its ski resorts and golf courses. Transporting skis, snowboards, or golf bags is possible within the free baggage allowance.

• If the sports equipment together with the suitcase weighs more than 20 kg, an excess weight fee applies.
• Large items must not exceed the length of the aircraft's cargo hold (check the limit dimensions for the CRJ-700 in advance, as the holds are small).
• Musical instruments can be checked in a hard case or taken into the cabin by purchasing a separate ticket for the instrument (extra seat) if it does not fit within standard carry-on dimensions.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Safety rules in Japan are strictly enforced. When planning a visit to historic Hiroshima or any other city, check your luggage:

• Prohibited in carry-on: Knives, scissors, tools, liquids in containers larger than 100 ml (for international connections; rules are softer on domestic flights, but tea and beverages must be kept closed).
• Strictly prohibited everywhere: Explosives, flammable gases, fireworks.
• Lithium batteries and power banks: Can be transported only in carry-on baggage. Checking them in is prohibited due to fire risk.
• Lighters: Only one gas lighter per person is allowed on one's person.

Packing Tips for Flying with IBEX

Given the specifics of flights, such as a short trip to Niigata, we recommend using soft travel bags for carry-on luggage — they are easier to place under the seat or in the small overhead bin. Always keep valuables, documents, money, and portable batteries with you. If you have a large suitcase, it is better to go straight to the check-in counter (Baggage Drop), as it may be removed to the cargo hold at the gate, which will take extra time during boarding.

Rules for Transporting Animals

IBEX Airlines understands the desire of passengers to travel with their pets. However, since the airline's fleet consists of compact regional aircraft, strict safety rules and space limitations apply to the transport of animals. Travelling from the city of Sendai or any other point in the route network requires prior preparation and approval.

Transport Options

In the Cabin (Carry-on)

It is important to know that on domestic flights in Japan, including IBEX Airlines flights, rules for transporting animals in the cabin differ from European or American standards.

• Permitted animals: Transporting household pets (cats, dogs, birds) in the passenger cabin is generally not permitted.
• Exceptions: Only officially registered guide dogs and service dogs accompanying passengers with disabilities are allowed in the cabin.
• Conditions for exceptions: The dog must stay at the owner's feet and be in a harness, but without a cage. No additional fee is charged for such dogs.

In the Cargo Hold (Checked Baggage)

This is the main method of transporting pets on the airline's flights. Your pet will fly in a special compartment where pressure and temperature suitable for life are maintained.

• Container requirements: Hard construction (plastic/metal), secure lock, leak-proof bottom. The animal must be able to stand up to its full height and turn around.
• Size limitations: Due to the small cargo hatches of CRJ-700 aircraft, cage dimensions are strictly limited. Large cages (size XL and larger) may not fit through the hatch.
• Climate control: The compartment is air-conditioned, but the temperature may depend on the external environment (for example, during loading in hot weather at Nagoya airport).
• Procedure: The animal is handed over at the check-in counter no later than 30–60 minutes before departure.

As Cargo (For Large Animals)

If you plan to transport a very large animal or a large number of pets, standard baggage check-in may not be suitable.

• When required: If the weight of the animal together with the cage exceeds standard baggage limits (usually over 32 kg) or the cage is too large for the passenger flight cargo hold.
• Special requirements: Processed through the cargo terminal (Air Cargo).
• Booking procedure: Prior coordination with a cargo agent is required, as not all airports (e.g., small regional ones) can handle live cargo.

Necessary Documents

For domestic flights within Japan, the document package is minimal but mandatory:

• Consent to Transport: Signed at the check-in counter (Consent and Release Form).
• Veterinary certificates: Confirmation of the animal's general health (recommended to have on hand).
• Vaccination: Valid rabies vaccination (especially relevant for flights to/from regions with strict quarantine control, although risks are minimal within Japan).
• For international connections: If you are flying in transit (for example, via Fukuoka airport to go abroad), a full package of export documents and a quarantine certificate will be required.

Cost of Services

Tariffs for transporting animals are fixed and depend on the route, not the weight of the animal (within allowable limits).

• Transport in the cargo hold: The approximate cost ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 yen per cage per flight segment.
• Route dependence: Flights to Sapporo (Hokkaido) or Okinawa may have higher tariffs compared to short flights.
• Payment: Made at the departure airport before check-in.

Preparation Tips

• Accustoming to the cage: Allow the pet to get used to the carrier in advance by placing a favourite toy or bedding with a familiar scent inside.
• Feeding and water: Do not feed the animal heavily less than 2–4 hours before departure to avoid motion sickness. A water dispenser (spill-proof) should be installed in the cage.
• Reducing stress: Do not give the animal sedatives without a direct recommendation from a veterinarian, as at altitude they can cause respiratory and thermoregulation problems.

Restrictions

IBEX Airlines pays special attention to animal health, so strict prohibitions exist:

• Brachycephalic breeds: Dogs with flat faces (bulldogs, pugs, Shih Tzus, boxers) are often not accepted for transport during the summer period (from May 1 to October 31) or year-round due to the risk of respiratory problems.
• Age: Puppies and kittens younger than 8 weeks are not accepted for transport.
• Health condition: Pregnant females, sick animals, or animals with an unpleasant odour may not be allowed on board.
• Temperature conditions: The airline may refuse transport if the temperature at departure airports (e.g., Niigata) or arrival airports is extremely high or low.

Important: The number of spaces for animals on each flight is strictly limited (especially on small CRJ aircraft). We strongly recommend booking a place for your pet in advance by contacting the IBEX Airlines or ANA reservation centre, and clarifying current requirements immediately before travelling to Hiroshima or another destination.

IBEX Airlines Loyalty Programme

Since IBEX Airlines is a strategic partner of Japan's largest carrier, All Nippon Airways (ANA), the airline does not have its own isolated bonus system. IBEX passengers automatically become members of the global ANA Mileage Club (AMC) programme. This is a huge advantage, as travellers can accumulate miles on regional flights and use them within one of the widest route networks in the world.

Membership Tiers

Status in the ANA Mileage Club programme is determined by the number of Premium Points earned per calendar year. The higher the level, the more comfortable each journey becomes:

• Standard Member (AMC Member): The base level, allowing you to immediately start collecting miles for flights and purchases.
• Bronze: Bonus miles on flights, waitlist priority, and access to special check-in counters.
• Platinum: Access to airport business lounges, priority boarding, increased baggage allowance, and priority baggage delivery.
• Diamond: The highest level with maximum privileges, including access to exclusive ANA Suite Lounges and a personal concierge service.

How to Earn Miles

Accumulating miles happens easily and seamlessly, even if you take short domestic flights. The main ways to top up your balance:

• Flights on IBEX and ANA: Miles are credited for each flight segment, for example, from the city of Nagoya to other regions of Japan.
• Flights with Partners: Points are credited for flights with Star Alliance member airlines worldwide.
• Co-branded Cards: Using ANA Card credit cards to pay for daily purchases significantly accelerates accumulation.
• Partner Network: Hotel bookings, car rentals, and even taxi rides earn additional miles.

How to Spend Miles

The ANA Mileage Club programme is famous for the flexibility of using accumulated points. You can turn miles into new experiences in the following ways:

• Award Tickets: Full payment for a flight, for example, to Fukuoka or Hokkaido resorts.
• Class Upgrade: Upgrade a ticket to Premium Economy, Business, or First Class on international ANA flights.
• ANA SKY COINS: Converting miles into virtual currency for partial payment of tickets and travel packages.
• Shopping and Services: Exchanging miles for goods in the A-style online store, hotel vouchers, or dinners at restaurants.

Alliance Participation

Thanks to integration with the ANA programme, IBEX Airlines passengers gain indirect access to the benefits of the global Star Alliance. This means that:

• Global Reach: You can spend miles earned on IBEX flights on tickets for United Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and other giants.
• Status Recognition: Holders of elite Platinum and Diamond tiers receive Star Alliance Gold status with access to lounges worldwide.

How to Join

You can become a programme member absolutely free of charge and in just a few minutes. To do this, you need to:

• Online: Fill out the registration form on the official All Nippon Airways website (ANA Mileage Club section).
• At the Airport: Contact staff at the check-in counter at the base airport Sendai or any other terminal served by ANA.
• By Mail: Fill out a paper application form, which can be found in the seat pocket on board the aircraft.

Travelling with IBEX Airlines combines Japanese punctuality with the cosiness characteristic of small regional carriers. The airline focuses on efficiency and comfort over short distances, offering passengers a high standard of service typical of the Japanese hospitality industry (Omotenashi), even during short flights from the hub in Sendai or other cities in the route network.

Travel Classes

Unlike major mainline carriers with their complex tariff gradations, IBEX Airlines adheres to a mono-class concept. The entire cabin of the Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft is configured as a single Economy Class.

However, this "economy" differs favourably from standard norms:

• No partitions: The unified cabin space creates a sense of spaciousness.
• Unified service standard: All passengers receive equally high attention from flight attendants.
• Priorities: If you are flying on a ticket from the partner airline ANA (code-share), your status in the loyalty programme may grant boarding privileges despite the single class in the cabin.

Seat Configuration and Comfort

The main advantage of the IBEX Airlines fleet is the 2+2 seating layout. This means there are absolutely no middle seats on the plane. Wherever you are flying — on a business trip to Nagoya or home, you are guaranteed a seat either by the window or by the aisle.

Cabin Characteristics:

• Ergonomics: Modern slim-profile seats are designed to provide maximum legroom (seat pitch is about 79 cm), which is quite comfortable for flights lasting 1–2 hours.
• Materials: Seats are upholstered in high-quality leather or dense fabric in calm blue tones, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
• Quietness: The engines on CRJ-700 aircraft are located in the tail section, so noise levels in the front and middle parts of the cabin are significantly lower than in turboprop aircraft.

Food and Beverages

Despite the short duration of flights, IBEX Airlines does not leave its guests hungry. Onboard service includes complimentary soft drinks and hot beverages. The menu may vary depending on the season, but usually includes:

• Hot beverages: Freshly brewed coffee, green tea (a Japanese classic), and signature consommé (broth), which is particularly popular on morning flights, for example, to Sapporo.
• Cold beverages: Apple juice and mineral water.
• Sweets: Often, candies or small chocolates in branded IBEX packaging are offered with drinks.

Please note: Full hot meals (lunches/dinners) are not provided on IBEX flights due to the lack of kitchen equipment for heating food on board regional jets. We recommend having a snack at the airport before departure.

Entertainment and Connectivity

An atmosphere of tranquillity reigns on board IBEX Airlines aircraft. There are no monitors built into the seatbacks, allowing you to take a break from digital noise.

• In-flight Magazine: In the seat pocket, you will find the magazine "IBEX SKY NAVI", containing interesting articles about flight destinations, route maps, and fleet information.
• Video Content: On some flights, a video streaming system to personal devices (smartphones and tablets) via an internal Wi-Fi network is available. Internet access is usually not available.
• Window Views: Since the CRJ-700 flies slightly lower than large airliners, a flight in clear weather turns into a real excursion. A flight to Niigata or Hiroshima will offer breathtaking views of the mountains and the coast of the Sea of Japan.

Special Services

The airline strives to make air travel accessible to all categories of passengers. If you require assistance, it is recommended to notify the carrier when booking (at least 48 hours in advance).

• For passengers with children: Special belts for infants are provided on board. Despite the aircraft's compactness, lavatories are often equipped with changing tables. Strollers must be checked in at the stairs or at the check-in counter.
• Passengers with reduced mobility: Airport staff assist with boarding and disembarking. Since jet bridges do not always fit low CRJ aircraft, a special ramp or ambulift is often used. Flight attendants will help stow carry-on baggage.
• Blankets: Upon request, flight attendants will provide a blanket so you can keep warm and nap comfortably during your trip to Fukuoka or any other city.

The IBEX Airlines route network is designed to connect key regional centres of Japan, ensuring fast and comfortable flights. The airline's main transport hub is Sendai Airport, from which regular flights are operated to various corners of the country, from northern Hokkaido to southern Kyushu.

Travelling with a regional Japanese carrier has its own specificities, different from flying with large international airlines. To ensure your flight goes as smoothly as possible and your ticket costs less, we have prepared several practical recommendations for planning a trip with IBEX Airlines.

Best Time to Book and Finding Low Fares

The Japanese air ticket system encourages early planning. IBEX Airlines, working closely with All Nippon Airways (ANA), uses a similar tariff grid. The most advantageous offers, known as "Hayawari" or "Super Value", are usually available 75, 55, 45, and 28 days before departure. If you are planning a trip to Sendai or other cities in the route network, try to buy tickets at least a month in advance. Tickets purchased on the day of departure or the day before can cost 2–3 times more.

How to Find Promotions and Discounts

• Buy through partners: Since many IBEX flights are code-shared with ANA, check prices on both websites. Often, on the major partner's website, you can find special tourist fares (for example, ANA Experience Japan Fare) for international visitors, which are also valid for IBEX flights.
• Watch for seasonality: Avoid "Golden Week" (early May), Obon (mid-August), and New Year. During these periods, prices are at their maximum, and tickets sell out instantly.

Nuances of Online Check-in

The check-in procedure depends on how and where you bought your ticket. This is one of the most important points for tourists:

• If the ticket was bought via ANA: You can and should use online check-in on the ANA website or app. It opens 24 hours before departure. You will receive a mobile boarding pass with which you can go straight to security, bypassing check-in counters.
• If the ticket was bought on the IBEX website: Online check-in is also available to you, but the interface may be geared towards the domestic market. We recommend saving the QR code of the boarding pass to your smartphone or printing it for reliability.
• At the airport: If you have not checked in online, look for ANA self-service kiosks (blue colour) at departure airports such as Nagoya or Fukuoka. IBEX check-in counters are often staffed by ANA personnel.

Seat Selection Tips

Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft have a 2+2 layout, which in itself is a big plus — there are no uncomfortable middle seats here. However, there are tricks:

• For silence lovers: The engines on this type of aircraft are located in the tail. If you are sensitive to noise, choose seats in the front part of the cabin (rows 1–10). The flight will be significantly quieter there.
• For view lovers: The wing is positioned quite low and may block the view in the central part of the cabin. For the best panoramic shots of mountains or the coast, choose seats at the beginning or very end of the cabin.
• Space for carry-on luggage: Overhead bins in the CRJ-700 are small. If you board the plane among the last, there may be no space left on the shelf above your seat. Try to proceed to boarding in a timely manner.

Mobile Capabilities

IBEX Airlines does not have its own multifunctional smartphone app familiar to Western tourists. For managing bookings, it is best to use:

• ANA App: Ideal if your flight has an ANA code (e.g., NHxxxx). It will contain all information, terminal maps, and delay notifications.
• Mobile site version: The IBEX website is adapted for mobile devices; you can check flight status and schedules through it.

Travel Insurance

Japan is a country with a changeable climate. Typhoons in summer or heavy snowfalls in winter in Sapporo and Niigata can lead to flight cancellations or delays. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance covering risks of flight delay and missed connections. This will save your nerves and money on unplanned hotel stays.

IBEX Airlines occupies a unique niche in Japanese aviation, serving as an example of how a small private company can become an integral part of the country's transport system. The carrier's history is a path from a bold startup to a reliable regional partner on a national scale, based at Sendai Airport.

Foundation and Early Years: Fair Inc.

The company was established in January 1999 under the name Fair Inc. Notably, the airline was created not by a transport corporation, but by an IT industry giant — Japan Digital Laboratory (JDL), specialising in accounting software. It was a bold experiment in business diversification.

The carrier performed its first commercial flight in August 2000, connecting Sendai with Kansai Airport (Osaka). At that time, the Japanese regional transport market was just beginning to form, and the company became one of the pioneers in using small jet aircraft for fast domestic flights.

Rebranding and Strategic Partnership

An important milestone in history was the renaming of the company in 2004. The carrier received the name IBEX Airlines, choosing the mountain goat (ibex) as its symbol. This animal, inhabiting the European Alps, is famous for its agility and ability to conquer steep peaks, which metaphorically reflected the young airline's ambitions to overcome difficulties and reach heights.

A key moment that determined IBEX's success and survival in a highly competitive market was the conclusion of a code-sharing (joint flight operation) and technical cooperation agreement with the largest Japanese airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA). This partnership allowed IBEX routes to be integrated into a global booking network, ensuring a stable passenger flow.

Fleet Evolution: Betting on Bombardier

IBEX Airlines played a significant role in popularising Regional Jets in Japan.

• The beginning of the journey: Initially, the fleet consisted of Bombardier CRJ-100 and CRJ-200 aircraft. These 50-seat machines were ideal for testing demand on new routes but had limitations in comfort.
• Modernisation: In 2009, the company began a fleet renewal programme, introducing more spacious and quieter Bombardier CRJ-700 NextGen aircraft.
• Current state: By 2017, IBEX had completely phased out the old CRJ-100/200 models, unifying the fleet. Today, the airline operates exclusively CRJ-700 liners, which simplifies technical maintenance and increases flight regularity.

Route Network Development

IBEX's route development strategy has always been built around the idea of connecting regions without the need for transfers in congested capital hubs (Tokyo). The airline actively developed direct flights between key cities.

Particular attention was paid to connections between the north and south. Regular flights connecting Sendai with the largest city on Hokkaido island — Sapporo, as well as with the industrial centre Nagoya, were launched and became popular. Later, the network expanded westward, including important destinations such as Fukuoka on Kyushu island and historic Hiroshima.

Modern Developments and Role in the Region

Today, IBEX Airlines is not just a carrier, but an important tool for economic support of the Tohoku regions and other areas of Japan. The company actively cooperates with local authorities to promote tourism. For instance, the launch of flights to the port city of Niigata contributed to improving business ties on the coast of the Sea of Japan.

In recent years, the company has focused on improving digital services and flight eco-friendliness, optimising routes to reduce fuel consumption. Remaining true to its motto, IBEX continues to be the "wings of the regions", offering an alternative to high-speed trains and large mainline liners.