Quantcast

AirJapan leads low-cost carriers with largest fleet of widebody jets

Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Downgraded on a flight? Take these simple but important steps to get your money back
Delta Offers Over $2 Million to CRJ Crash Passengers
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
AirJapan leads low-cost carriers with largest fleet of widebody jets
Policy
Webp messenger creation fff26709 036d 4192 9e74 b4aecabc8f12
Hideki Mineguchi AirJapan President & CEO | AirJapan

Low-cost carriers have become a significant force in the global airline industry, offering competitive fares and minimal services. While many focus on short to medium-haul routes, some have ventured into long-haul flights using widebody aircraft like the Boeing 787 or Airbus A350. AirJapan stands out as the low-cost airline with the largest fleet of widebody jets.

AirJapan, based near Tokyo Narita Airport, aims to provide lower fares than its peers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines. The airline operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, recognized for their efficiency and enhanced customer experience. As a subsidiary of ANA, one of Japan's largest airlines, AirJapan was initially founded in the 1990s as ANA's charter branch but transitioned to scheduled operations in the early 2000s.

In 2020, ANA announced plans to transform AirJapan into a low-cost brand focusing on long-haul flights. Starting with several Boeing 787-8 aircraft, it has since expanded its fleet to include other variants within the same family. Today, AirJapan operates a total of 77 widebody aircraft leased from ANA.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

AirJapan serves various longer routes from its hub at Narita Airport that are not offered by Peach, another ANA subsidiary focused on short-haul flights. Initially flying to Bangkok, Singapore, and Seoul with economy class seating only, AirJapan now utilizes each variant of the Boeing jet due to their superior efficiency compared to older models.

The competition among low-cost carriers is intense. According to planespotters.net data:

- ZIPAIR has a fleet size of eight.

- AirAsia X operates eighteen.

- Scoot manages fifty-seven (twenty-two widebody).

- JetStar has eighty-eight (eleven widebody jets).

- Cebu Pacific runs ninety-three (eleven widebody jets).

Despite these competitors' presence in Asia's budget market landscape, none match AirJapan's scale in operating long-haul routes with widebodies.

Other low-cost airlines also use widebodies for long-haul operations beyond Asia; Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aereas flies twelve Airbus A330s and plans further orders for A350s while European French bee connects France with distant destinations using densely-configured Airbus A350 jets.

However rare this strategy may be among budget airlines worldwide—many preferring narrowbodies due mainly because they cater more effectively towards price-sensitive passengers—it remains essential within aviation markets where competition against traditional flag carriers can prove challenging without robust resources such as large fleets or global partnerships supporting loyalty programs necessary when entering most international arenas dominated by well-established players like those mentioned above: Southwest Airlines & Ryanair being prime examples thereof who exclusively operate single-type fleets primarily servicing shorter distances instead altogether avoiding costly endeavors associated therein altogether thus far opting instead favoring safer albeit less ambitious paths forward ultimately yielding greater returns over time rather than risking potential failure akin past attempts made unsuccessfully by others before them notably including Wow Air & Norwegian whose respective ventures ceased March '19 January '21 respectively after struggling compete amidst fierce rivalries faced along way inevitably leading downfall despite best efforts undertaken during tenure held prior closure thereafter consequently leaving behind legacy lessons learned valuable future reference moving forward should similar circumstances arise again later date perhaps someday soon given ever-changing nature industry itself inherently subject fluctuations demand patterns shifting geopolitical landscapes affecting travel trends worldwide continuously evolving adapting meet needs travelers everywhere seeking affordable options explore globe safely comfortably affordably possible today tomorrow always

Organizations Included in this History
More News

During the pandemic, while some airlines faced challenges, others found opportunities.

May 19, 2025

Boeing and Qatar Airways have finalized a significant agreement involving the purchase of 160 widebody aircraft, valued at approximately $96 billion.

May 19, 2025

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has been eager to acquire a new Air Force One since his first term.

May 19, 2025

The Australian High Court has dismissed an appeal by passengers injured on an Air Canada flight, affirming the compensation limits set under international aviation law.

May 19, 2025

British Airways operates a variety of routes from London Gatwick Airport, which serves as an alternative to its main hub at London Heathrow.

May 19, 2025

Private jets offer wealthy travelers the convenience of choosing their departure times and accessing a wider range of airports compared to commercial flights.

May 19, 2025