ZIPAIR partners with Axinom for onboard streaming platform

This article is based on an official press release from Axinom.

Japanese low-cost long-haul carrier ZIPAIR has selected Germany-based software provider Axinom to power its next-generation onboard streaming platform. The Partnerships, announced on March 25, 2026, will enable the delivery of digital rights management (DRM)-protected Hollywood content directly to passengers’ personal electronic devices (PEDs).

As a subsidiary of Japan Airlines (JAL), ZIPAIR operates with a digital-first philosophy, notably utilizing a PED-only cabin concept on its long-haul routes. By eliminating traditional seatback screens, the Airlines relies heavily on high-quality onboard streaming and connectivity to define its passenger experience.

According to the official press release, Axinom Stream will serve as the backbone for this in-flight entertainment (IFE) offering. The solution provides the necessary media processing workflows and content protection to meet strict Hollywood studio specifications, allowing ZIPAIR to offer premium movies and television shows to travelers on their own smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

The Shift to Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Entertainment

The aviation industry has seen a growing trend toward BYOD entertainment, particularly among low-cost carriers looking to reduce aircraft weight and maintenance costs. ZIPAIR’s approach takes this a step further by integrating the entertainment backbone directly into its existing digital ecosystem.

Seamless Integration and Studio Compliance

Rather than purchasing an off-the-shelf, white-label passenger portal, ZIPAIR’s in-house IT team is maintaining full ownership of the user interface. The airline is integrating Axinom’s Player Software Development Kit (SDK) and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) into its custom passenger portal. This strategy allows the carrier to retain creative control over the digital touchpoints while relying on Axinom’s studio-approved streaming infrastructure.

“Our in-house digital team moves fast and thinks beyond traditional IFE,” stated Takuya Matsuo, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Officer at ZIPAIR, in the company’s release. “Axinom’s flexible, API-driven platform allows us to integrate seamlessly with our passenger experience portal while ensuring full compliance with Hollywood studio requirements. The collaboration is efficient, hands-on, and highly aligned with our vision.”

Cloud-Powered Fleet Management

Beyond the passenger-facing elements, the deployment includes a comprehensive suite of backend tools designed to streamline airline operations. Axinom’s platform utilizes a containerized onboard Software stack equipped with orchestration and messaging capabilities.

Over-the-Air Synchronization

A critical component of the new system is its over-the-air synchronization capability. Fleet management functions will allow ZIPAIR’s ground teams to control content assignments, execute leg-based targeting, and distribute media across the airline’s growing fleet without requiring manual, physical media loading.

The system leverages Axinom On-Board Cloud and Axinom Mosaic, creating a scalable environment that can support additional digital services in the future. Axinom brings over two decades of experience to the partnership. According to the company’s statements, it has a history of industry firsts in the in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) sector, including the first Hollywood studio-approved DRM for personal devices in 2011, the first wireless IFE deployment in 2013, and the first cloud-only IFE rollout in 2025.

“ZIPAIR represents a new generation of airlines, digital-first, agile, and unafraid to rethink established concepts,” said Ralph Wagner, CEO of Axinom. “We are proud to support their team with a platform that not only enables high-quality streaming today but also provides the foundation for future digital services. Our architecture ensures flexibility far beyond entertainment.”

AirPro News analysis

We note that ZIPAIR’s selection of Axinom highlights a maturing strategy among modern long-haul low-cost carriers. By stripping out heavy, expensive seatback screens, airlines save significantly on fuel and hardware maintenance. However, to prevent passenger dissatisfaction on long transpacific flights, carriers must provide robust digital alternatives. We view ZIPAIR as uniquely positioned in this regard; the press release notes it is already the first airline in Asia to fully equip its fleet with Starlink’s high-speed internet, which it offers for free. By pairing free, high-speed satellite Wi-Fi with a localized, DRM-protected streaming server powered by Axinom, ZIPAIR is effectively mirroring the at-home digital experience. Passengers can stream live content from the internet or access premium, newly released Hollywood movies from the onboard server without buffering, creating a highly competitive passenger experience at a lower operational cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Axinom Stream?

Axinom Stream is a digital platform that enables airlines to deliver DRM-protected media, such as Hollywood movies and TV shows, to passengers’ personal devices during flights.

Why doesn’t ZIPAIR have seatback screens?

ZIPAIR utilizes a “PED-only” (Personal Electronic Device) cabin concept. Removing seatback screens reduces aircraft weight, which lowers fuel consumption and maintenance costs, allowing the airline to offer more affordable fares.

Does ZIPAIR offer in-flight Wi-Fi?

Yes. According to the press release, ZIPAIR is the first airline in Asia to fully equip its fleet with Starlink’s high-speed internet, which is provided free of charge to all passengers.

Sources

• Axinom