ZIPAIR Tokyo completes installation of Starlink aboard its fleet

ZIPAIR Tokyo has become the first airline in Asia to complete the installation of Starlink aboard its fleet.

In a press statement posted on May 8, the medium/long-haul budget subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL) said Starlink is now installed aboard its fleet of 8 Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The installation of Starlink on the 787s started in February and was done by JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC). The work included fitting Boeing’s Aerodynamic Shroud – a new fairing developed closely with Boeing Global Services – to house the Starlink antennas on each aircraft.

“Boeing is proud to support ZIPAIR’s drive to redefine inflight experience and deliver greater convenience and value to passengers,” said Lindsey Douglas, Boeing Global Services Vice President of Cabin, Modifications, Maintenance & Digital Services.

“Partnering with ZIPAIR to integrate Starlink across its 787 Dreamliner fleet is an example of how Boeing is making the installation of next-gen in-flight connectivity fast, reliable and passenger-ready.” “We are proud to make free high-speed internet the new basic standard of air travel” said Yasuhiro Fukada, Chief Executive Officer of ZIPAIR. “With Starlink service on every ZIPAIR flight, our customers can feel how time flies when they can stay connected just as they would on the ground.”

Onboard, the high-speed, low-latency internet is free for all ZIPAIR Tokyo passengers. Starlink also enables connectivity for ZIPAIR's onboard systems including the airline's inflight service system (IFS). All parts of the airline's IFS - inflight connectivity, passenger services, and inflight commerce including real-time payment authorization - are connected under a single onboard network.