Air Japan
A Japanese airline company in ANA Group that operated ANA flights before being redeveloped as the AirJapan medium-haul low-cost brand.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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History
Air Japan began on June 29, 1990, when ANA established it as World Air Network. The company was intended to serve as ANA’s charter-airline arm. Its initial operating period was short-lived: operations were suspended on September 1, 1995. The company returned to the ANA organization in a new form during the next decade. On July 5, 2000, World Air Network was renamed Air Japan. It relaunched as a scheduled airline on January 1, 2001, operating flights under the ANA brand. Its first scheduled service flew from Osaka to Seoul, South Korea, using a Boeing 767-300 transferred from ANA. Rather than developing a large standalone consumer network, Air Japan primarily functioned as an operating company supporting ANA’s passenger business. Air Japan’s responsibilities expanded in 2010. On April 2 of that year, ANA announced that Air Japan and ANA & JP Express would merge, with Air Japan as the surviving company. ANA & JP Express had operated Boeing 767 cargo aircraft, so the combination gave Air Japan responsibility for both passenger and cargo versions of the Boeing 767. The company continued flying Boeing 767 aircraft for ANA and later began operating Boeing 787 aircraft on ANA’s behalf in 2018. A major strategic change came in the 2020s. On March 8, 2022, ANA unveiled plans to redevelop Air Japan as a medium-haul international low-cost carrier. The new business was intended to launch during the second half of fiscal 2023 and address demand from travelers seeking lower fares than those normally associated with a full-service airline. The customer-facing name was restyled as AirJapan, accompanied by the slogan “Fly Thoughtful.” This marked a distinction between the corporate operating company, Air Japan, and the new low-cost brand. On March 9, 2023, ANA stated that AirJapan would begin services to and from Southeast Asia in February 2024. The planned aircraft were Boeing 787s with all-economy interiors. This arrangement allowed the new brand to use a widebody platform for international routes while keeping the onboard proposition relatively simple. AirJapan was positioned in the same broad competitive space as ZIPAIR Tokyo, the low-cost international subsidiary associated with Japan Airlines. The first AirJapan-branded destination from its Tokyo Narita base was Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. The inaugural low-cost service began on February 9, 2024. The aircraft were configured with 324 economy seats in a 3–3–3 layout. The service model separated the basic fare from several optional elements, including checked baggage allowances, Wi-Fi, onboard catering, amenities and other purchases. Passengers could stream entertainment to their personal devices, reinforcing the brand’s simplified and ancillary-led approach. Air Japan continued to have a dual role. Its corporate platform managed AirJapan-branded low-cost flights while also operating international flights under the ANA brand. The company’s headquarters were located at the ANA Sky-center at Narita International Airport in Chiba; earlier locations included Higashikōjiya in Tokyo and offices at Shiodome City Center. On October 30, 2025, the company announced that it would suspend all AirJapan brand flight operations from March 28, 2026. The announcement was presented as part of restructuring by ANA Group rather than as the end of Air Japan as an operating company. ANA confirmed that Air Japan would continue operating ANA-brand international services. The announcement makes the future of the AirJapan consumer brand distinct from the continuing corporate role of Air Japan.
- 2026
Scheduled AirJapan brand suspension
[1]The announced suspension of all AirJapan-branded flight operations is scheduled to take effect on March 28, while Air Japan is expected to continue ANA-brand international operations.
- 2024
AirJapan launched Bangkok service
[1]AirJapan began its first low-cost branded route from Tokyo Narita to Bangkok on February 9.
- 2022
AirJapan low-cost redevelopment announced
[1]ANA announced the transformation of Air Japan into a medium-haul international low-cost carrier and introduced the AirJapan brand identity.
- 2018
Boeing 787 operations for ANA
[1]Air Japan began operating Boeing 787 aircraft on behalf of ANA.
- 2010
Merger with ANA & JP Express
[1]Air Japan became the surviving company in the merger with ANA & JP Express and assumed additional cargo responsibilities.
- 2001
Scheduled operations resumed
[1]Air Japan resumed scheduled service on January 1 with an Osaka–Seoul flight operated using an ANA Boeing 767-300.
- 2000
Company renamed Air Japan
[1]World Air Network adopted the Air Japan name on July 5.
- 1995
Operations suspended
[1]World Air Network suspended operations on September 1.
- 1990
World Air Network established
[1]ANA established World Air Network on June 29 as a charter-airline subsidiary.
Products and positioning
An ANA Group airline platform and medium-haul international low-cost brand combining ANA operational capabilities with a simplified, unbundled service model.
Scheduled airline operations · 2001
ANA-operated passenger flights
For much of its history, Air Japan operated passenger flights on behalf of All Nippon Airways. The company used aircraft transferred from ANA and shared operational infrastructure and systems with the wider group. This role distinguished Air Japan from an airline focused only on independently marketed flights.
Low-cost passenger airline · 2024
AirJapan international low-cost flights
The AirJapan brand was developed as ANA Group’s medium-haul international low-cost proposition. It targeted leisure and price-sensitive travelers with a basic fare and separately priced optional services. The network was centered on international routes from Tokyo Narita to destinations in Asia, using widebody aircraft and an all-economy cabin.
Aircraft and cabin product · 2024
Boeing 787-8 all-economy service
AirJapan’s redeveloped operation used Boeing 787-8 aircraft transferred from ANA. The cabin was configured entirely in economy class with 324 seats in a 3–3–3 arrangement. The onboard product included paid Wi-Fi and ancillary services, buy-on-board food and merchandise, and entertainment streamed to passengers’ own devices.
Air freight · 2010
Air cargo operations
Following the merger with ANA & JP Express, Air Japan operated cargo aircraft and passenger aircraft with cargo capacity on behalf of ANA. Boeing 767 equipment formed an important part of this expanded operating role.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Fly Thoughtful
Japan · Asia
“Fly Thoughtful” was introduced as the launch slogan for the redeveloped AirJapan brand. It supported a proposition built around approachable international travel, a simplified cabin product and optional services that passengers could add according to their preferences.
Outcome. The slogan became associated with the AirJapan low-cost relaunch, although the brand was later scheduled for suspension as part of ANA Group restructuring.
Brand decisions
2025
Suspend AirJapan brand operationsStrategyBackground
ANA Group announced a restructuring affecting the AirJapan-branded low-cost business.
Action taken
Air Japan announced on October 30 that all AirJapan-branded flight operations would be suspended effective March 28, 2026.
Aftermath
The operating company was expected to remain in operation for ANA-brand international flights, separating the future of Air Japan’s corporate platform from the AirJapan consumer brand.
2024
Launch AirJapan branded Bangkok serviceProduct launchBackground
The new brand required an initial international route from its Tokyo Narita base and was planned around Southeast Asian demand.
Action taken
AirJapan began service between Tokyo Narita and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi on February 9 using its redeveloped low-cost operating model.
Aftermath
Bangkok became the first destination in the AirJapan-branded low-cost network.
2022
Redevelop Air Japan as a medium-haul low-cost carrierStrategyBackground
ANA Group wanted a separate proposition for price-sensitive international travelers alongside its full-service ANA business.
Action taken
ANA announced that Air Japan would be transformed into a medium-haul international low-cost carrier and that the consumer brand would be styled as AirJapan.
Aftermath
AirJapan began branded operations in 2024 with Boeing 787 aircraft, an all-economy cabin and unbundled optional services.
- ZIPAIR Tokyo — The reference material identifies ZIPAIR Tokyo as a competing low-cost international airline associated with Japan Airlines; it does not report a specific public reaction.
2010
Merge with ANA & JP ExpressM&ABackground
ANA Group sought to combine related operating capabilities within its airline organization. ANA & JP Express operated Boeing 767 cargo aircraft, while Air Japan already served as an ANA operating company.
Action taken
ANA announced that Air Japan and ANA & JP Express would merge, with Air Japan surviving the transaction.
Aftermath
Air Japan expanded into cargo operations and continued using Boeing 767 aircraft in both passenger and cargo roles.
Recent events
- 2025
AirJapan brand suspension announced[1]
Bankruptcy
Air Japan announced that all AirJapan-branded flight operations would be suspended effective March 28, 2026, citing ANA Group restructuring. The company was expected to continue operating international flights for ANA.
- 2024
AirJapan began low-cost service to Bangkok[1]
Product launch
The redeveloped brand’s first announced route connected Tokyo Narita with Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, with service beginning on February 9.
- 2023
AirJapan Southeast Asia launch plan announced[1]
Product launch
ANA announced that AirJapan would begin Southeast Asian services in February 2024 with Boeing 787 aircraft configured entirely with economy seating.
- 2022
ANA unveiled Air Japan low-cost redevelopment[1]
Product launch
ANA announced that Air Japan would be transformed into a medium-haul international low-cost carrier and introduced the AirJapan identity.
- 2010
Air Japan and ANA & JP Express merger announced[1]
M&A
ANA announced a merger between Air Japan and ANA & JP Express, with Air Japan surviving and taking on passenger and cargo operations.
- 2001
Air Japan relaunched scheduled service[1]
Product launch
Air Japan resumed scheduled operations with a first service from Osaka to Seoul using a Boeing 767-300 transferred from ANA.
- 2000
World Air Network renamed Air Japan[1]
Other
The company adopted the Air Japan name as it prepared to resume scheduled airline operations for ANA.
- 1990
Air Japan was established as World Air Network[1]
Other
ANA established World Air Network as a charter-airline subsidiary and operating platform.
Sources2 sources
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