Starlux Airlines Announces Inaugural Flight to Los Angeles

Taiwanese carrier, Starlux Airlines, is set to launch its first flight from Taipei to Los Angeles on April 26. The luxury carrier will inaugurate its first service to the U.S. with five flights per week, later increasing to daily in June.

The new Taipei-based luxury airline will offer its passengers four seating classes onboard its brand-new Airbus A350-900 wide-body aircraft. Four suites in First Class and 26 seats in Business Class will be available to premium passengers. In contrast, 36 seats in Premium Economy and 240 seats in Economy Class will make the airline’s 306-seat in-flight offering.

First and Business Class passengers can expect extra privacy with sliding doors and fully-reclinable seats with a “Zero-G mode” for added comfort. Passengers in Economy Class can also expect to fly in relative comfort, with all seats coming with a wide seat pitch and leather headrest, while enjoying in-flight entertainment through 4K screens.

Photo: Airbus A321neo cabin interior. Courtesy of Starlux Airlines.

All passengers will receive high-quality meals inspired by traditional Taiwanese cuisine, such as Starlux’s signature Yakiniku Donburi dish for Economy class passengers. Guests can also choose what they want for their onboard meals by pre-ordering select dishes online.

“As a brand-new airline to the U.S. market, Starlux is excited to help create memorable journeys by providing unique and exquisite service to customers traveling to and from Los Angeles to Taipei and other Asian cities,” said Glenn Chai, CEO of Starlux Airlines. “With Los Angeles being the sister city of Taipei, along with our partnership with the LA Clippers, the city of angels is our airline’s perfect starting U.S. destination.”

Photo: Courtesy of Starlux Airlines

Passengers can also expect to see LA Clippers memorabilia throughout their flight, from paper napkins and kids’ meal boxes to eye masks and luggage tags, thanks to the carrier’s newly announced partnership with the NBA franchise.

The partnership will also see Starlux set up its first U.S. office in Los Angeles, and the airline will provide in-arena hospitality and engage in brand marketing campaigns. Meanwhile, the LA Clippers hope the new route will bring more Asian fans to the city.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Starlux Airlines to celebrate their new flight route to Los Angeles and work together to reach new global audiences. Clipper Nation is made up of diverse fans in Los Angeles and around the world, and this new partnership will literally help us bring Clippers fans to LA. I can’t think of anything better,” said Scott Sonnenberg, Chief Global Partnerships Officer for the LA Clippers.

The outbound flights to North America are scheduled to leave Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) at 11:40 PM and arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 8:30 PM. The return flights will leave Los Angeles at 12:50 AM and touch down in Taipei at 5:40 AM the next day.

Starlux is a relatively new airline, operating its first commercial flight in January 2020. The carrier styles itself as a luxury airline, striving to offer its passengers a premium flying experience with exemplary service, safety, and management standards. However, part of its philosophy is that luxury air travel shouldn’t be reserved for the elite, so fares are typically more affordable than you’d expect to pay for a ‘luxury’ service.