Japanese longhaul low-cost carrier Zipair, which started operations in 2020 and offers full-flat seats, is targeting to grow its fleet of eight Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft to more than 20 in the next four years.
CEO Yasuhiro Fukada, speaking at last week’s Aviation Festival Asia, said the company is building an airline that is lean, technology-enabled and focused on delivering value to passengers and partners.
“We want to develop and stimulate the market for Gen Z and young travellers with our best effort to reduce cost and address the pain point of flying, which is the time it takes, and to make (the experience) seem short,” he commented.
The LCC operates to 11 destinations in Asia and North America, with its longest route between Tokyo and Houston. Each flight offers 290 seats, comprising 18 full-flat seats and 272 standard economy seats.
Zipair, which designed its own in-flight system and operates an on-demand galley service, started offering free high-speed Starlink internet connectivity in February.
Passengers can use their own devices to access the LCC’s app for pre-trip and in-flight orders and entertainment and are “in full control”.
Fukada noted: “Our strategy is to make being in the sky no different from being on the ground, where we use high-speed internet connectivity on our own personal devices,” adding that the Zipair experience is more personalised and scalable compared to other airlines.
Zipair’s use of technology on the ground and in the air, he claimed, has reduced employee stress, allowing staff to be more attentive and provide better service.
Commenting on the impact of the war on Iran, Fukada said the LCC is studying options to manage rising fuel costs affecting airfares and a “slow demand market”.
