In October 2020, Star Alliance member airline All Nippon Airways announced plans to launch a new long haul airline subsidiary. Let's go over what we know so far after learning more about the brand today.
Basics of AirJapan, All Nippon Airways’ new airline
The new airline subsidiary will operate medium and long haul international routes. What should we expect from the airline?
The airline will launch in the second half of the 2023 fiscal year (so late 2023 or early 2024), though no exact routes or specific dates have been revealed yet
The airline will exclusively operate Boeing 787-8 aircraft
The airline is being launched as part of a business transformation for ANA, intended to “pursue sustainable growth and the ability to quickly respond to a wider range of customer preferences”
The airline won’t be a full service airline or a low cost airline, but rather will “combine the best of both worlds while also featuring Japanese-style ideas and quality”
AirJapan’s slogan is “Fly Thoughtful,” and as it’s explained that this “expresses the airline’s caring, thoughtful, and gentle approach”
The name AirJapan was selected in order to convey to people around the world that the airline is Japanese, and to remind customers that the airline offers “Japanese quality”
Pricing will be similar to low cost carriers, but the airline will “provide a comfortable cabin space for all passengers”
My take on ANA’s AirJapan concept
There are a few initial thoughts.
The AirJapan name is interesting, because ANA already has Air Japan, which is the subsidiary with which the airline operates many regional flights
This new airline concept sounds to me a whole lot like ZIPAIR, which is Japan Airlines’ long haul, low cost airline that operates Boeing 787s
I know ANA is insisting that this isn’t a low cost carrier, but everything about the concept sounds like one — the airline claims it will have low fares like low cost carriers, and those who “do not require additional options can reduce their travel costs”
I don't expect a lot of innovation here, but I do expect All Nippon Airways to copy Japan Airlines.
It looks like All Nippon Airways is copying Japan Airlines
Bottom line
AirJapan will be the name of the new airline that will be launched by All Nippon Airways. The airline will operate medium and long haul routes. It sounds like we should expect it to be more like a low cost carrier than a full service one, as ANA claims.
What do you think about ANA's new AirJapan airline concept?
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