MAM
First for JAL – transpacific in-flight internet access
MUMBAI: Japan Airlines has expanded its in-flight Internet connection service to flights between Tokyo-New York: the world’s first service on a transpacific flight.
Provided by Connexion by Boeing Inc. (CBB) – a business unit of Boeing – the “JAL Inflight Internet Service”, which took off today, enables passengers to use their own wireless LAN compatible personal computers during flights.
Using VPN (Virtual Private Network) technology, the “JAL Inflight Internet Service” also enables passengers to access securely their company’s network, email and intranet site. Additionally, passengers can access free of charge JAL’s in-flight portal site which contains a selection of content such as company product and service information, says a company release.
Initially the service will be available on alternate days but towards the end of June it will be available daily. JAL’s Tokyo-New York route is popular with business travelers, who represent a high percentage of total passengers.
In 2003, JAL was the first Asian airline to reach an agreement with CBB to introduce in-flight Internet service and the airline introduced it on the Tokyo-London route on December 9, 2004. JAL will continue to expand this in-flight Internet connection service on Japan-Europe and Japan-North America routes, the release adds.
The in-flight internet service is catching up in Asia as well. All Nippon Airways started providing the service on flights between Tokyo and Shanghai in November. Plans are on the anvil to extend the service to its Tokyo-Los Angeles and Tokyo-New York routes. Singapore Airlines will kick off the service in mid-2005. Among Asian airline companies, Taiwan’s China Airlines, South Korea’s Asiana Airlines and Korean Air have signed deals with Boeing.
Brands
Zepto names Saurabh Kabra vice president for non-trade advertising
Former blinkit and ITC executive to drive Zepto’s ad-led growth
BENGALURU: Zepto has elevated Saurabh Kabra to vice president—non-trade advertising, partnerships and catalogue, underscoring the quick-commerce firm’s push to deepen high-margin revenue streams beyond deliveries.
Based in Bengaluru, Kabra will lead the strategic expansion of Zepto’s advertising and partnerships ecosystem. He was previously senior director and head of the non-trade advertising business, where he played a central role in building the company’s ad-led monetisation playbook.
Since joining Zepto, Kabra has worked closely with the chief executive’s office on strategic initiatives, contributing to the company’s rapid scale-up in India’s intensely competitive quick-commerce market. His elevation comes as platforms increasingly court brand advertising to steady margins and diversify revenue.
Before Zepto, Kabra held senior growth roles at Blinkit, serving as associate director of growth and city CEO for Hyderabad, where he led regional expansion and operational scaling.
Earlier in his career, he spent several years at ITC Limited, managing brands such as Classmate and Paperkraft and overseeing sales operations in the personal care business. He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.
Industry executives view the appointment as a clear signal that Zepto is sharpening its focus on advertising, partnerships and catalogue-led monetisation: areas increasingly discussed by investors as critical to improving unit economics in quick commerce.
