Quantcast

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

Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
Southwest Airlines Announces Reimagined Fare Products, New Benefits for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and Tier Member Customers
New Alaska Airlines trading cards take flight this World Pilots’ Day - Alaska Airlines News
United CEO calls Trump's tariffs a 'chess game'
Virtual Training Becomes a Reality
Korean Air Restarts Longest 747 Passenger Flight in the World
Flight tickets from Srinagar remain exorbitantly high despite aviation ministry request
RTX Q1 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates, Increase Year Over Year
Delta faces federal investigation as it scraps hundreds of flights for fifth straight day
Coalition pledges to remove EV tax break two days after Dutton ruled out scrapping it – as it happened
Adani’s airport unit seeks $750 million loan from global banks
GE Aerospace affirms outlook; CEO met with Trump to discuss tariffs
Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
General Dynamics says G800 jet receives FAA, EASA certifications
Archer unveils plans for NYC air-taxi network in partnership with United Airlines
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
ICAO Proposes ‘Journey Pass’ Biometric ID Boarding
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
The most in Mexico: American Airlines adds 30th destination as part of a record-breaking schedule
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
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

Recently, Flying Food Group, Inc. held a celebration at its LAV facility to mark Hispanic Heritage Month.

Oct 29, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. recently held an employee appreciation event at its LIH facility, coinciding with Halloween festivities.

Oct 29, 2025

Emirates Airline hosted members of UAE Team Emirates XRG at its Group Headquarters, marking the team's successful season in international cycling.

Oct 28, 2025

Amazon has announced that its KSBD Air Hub in San Bernardino recognized its September High Flyers for their outstanding commitment to the company's 16 Leadership Principles.

Oct 28, 2025

Amazon announced that employees at its KSBD Air Hub in San Bernardino participated in the 2025 Pink on Parade for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Oct 28, 2025

The ShebaMiles loyalty program, operated by Ethiopian Airlines for over 26 years, has more than 5.38 million members and offers four membership tiers: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Oct 28, 2025