Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines has revealed its next destination in the United States (thanks to @IshrionA for flagging this), and it’s not what you’d necessarily expect. It’s also the first destination in the United States which isn’t served by at least one of Taiwan’s two other global carriers (China Airlines and EVA Air).
In this post:
Starlux launching Taipei to Phoenix flights as of February 2026
While flights aren’t yet on sale, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) has announced that Starlux Airlines intends to launch nonstop flights there from Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE). The route is expected to launch in early 2026, with 3-4x weekly frequencies. The flight is supposed to go on sale once final regulatory approval has been received.
The 7,104-mile flight will be the carrier’s longest route to date. As is the case on all of the carrier’s routes to the United States, this will be flown by an Airbus A350-900. That plane is equipped with 306 seats, including four first class seats, 26 business class seats, 36 premium economy seats, and 240 economy seats. I’ve reviewed Starlux’s excellent A350 business class.
Phoenix will be Starlux’s fifth destination in the United States, complementing flights to Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego broke the news, and shared that this comes as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plans to invest $165 billion into its Phoenix facilities. As she explains:
“Phoenix’s first non-stop flight to Asia reflects the incredible strides we’ve made with our local economy, and our emergence as an international city. TSMC’s historic investment in Phoenix has brought thousands of high wage jobs and boosted our reputation as a semiconductor hub, and now it’s helping increase air service demand.”
Here’s what Starlux Airlines Chairman K.W. Chang had to say about this announcement:
“I knew from the moment I set foot in Phoenix that STARLUX should make the investment to fly here. Not only is the growth of business between Taipei and Phoenix staggering, it’s a perfect match for our level of service. We are proud and honored to be the first carrier to provide nonstop Asia service for the Phoenix community.”
My take on Starlux’s latest long haul expansion
Up until this point, all of Starlux Airlines’ routes to the United States have been to markets that are already served by China Airlines, EVA Air, or both. On the one hand, I understand why they’re replicating those markets, because they’re ones with a lot of demand to Taiwan and beyond. On the other hand, it’s also fun to see some innovation.
In this case, Starlux isn’t just serving a market that doesn’t have service from Taiwan’s other carriers, but it’s a market that doesn’t have any service to Asia. So this is a massive win for the local community.
Now, it’s worth remembering that Starlux has a partnership with Alaska Airlines, and Starlux wants to join the oneworld alliance (though it remains to be seen if that comes to fruition, given the interests of various airlines).
With Starlux flying to Phoenix, you’d certainly think that an American partnership would make sense, given the connectivity that opens up. At the same time, without mutual alliance membership (at a minimum), I think it’s unlikely we’ll see much in the way of connectivity, especially since American has its own transpacific joint venture with Japan Airlines. In other words, American doesn’t actually want people taking this flight, as things currently stand.
Now I’m curious to see if China Airlines and EVA Air match Starlux’s service. It’s not like the airlines have connectivity in Phoenix, though they do have more established networks to destinations in Asia beyond Taipei.
Bottom line
As of early 2026, Starlux Airlines plans to launch service to Phoenix. This is a huge win for Arizona, as it’s the state’s first nonstop regularly scheduled link to Asia. How cool to see Starlux finally adding a route to the United States that isn’t served by China Airlines or EVA Air.
What do you make of Starlux launching Phoenix flights?
Great day for PHX. Long time coming for Asian service
I bet there could have been some airport incentive to bring JX to Phoenix. They may move one of the planes from LAX or SFO rotation over, if they are cautious. Everything to gain, nothing to lose..
EVA is launching Dallas flights in October, so il looks like Starlux will keep their new destination to themselves, for the time being...
Does anyone else find it surprising that Starlux now have five US destinations while not flying to any points West of BKK? I mean, I can understand that they may not feel confident in being able to compete head-on to Europe with their domestic rivals as well as the likes of Emirates, but surely there must be sufficient demand out there for a handful of Indian routes and possibly one or two destinations in the Arabian peninsula?
Starlux has a desperate shortage of widebodies. They don't even have enough to ply all the routes they want to have widebodies on right now.
To be honest, India also has a bit of a reputation in the industry, but if I say more I'm gonna be called racist. I'm not surprised at all that a Taiwanese carrier would skip India or the Arab world.
Taiwanese carriers served India (CI for sure) but stopped it during the COVID scare, and never brought this destination back. Canadian-bound planes out of TPE carried a lot of such transit traffic up to five years ago. I bet CI and BR didn't get much revenue of India-originating leisure passengers
As residents in the greater Phoenix area this is such great news and we will definitely be flying them to see Taiwan but also as a stopover to other Asian destinations instead of having to route through the dreaded LAX. Yes Phoenix, the 5th largest city in the USA is one of the fastest growing but has been so under-served on trans-oceanic routes both east and west. Now perhaps Lufthansa and other trans-Atlantic carriers will...
As residents in the greater Phoenix area this is such great news and we will definitely be flying them to see Taiwan but also as a stopover to other Asian destinations instead of having to route through the dreaded LAX. Yes Phoenix, the 5th largest city in the USA is one of the fastest growing but has been so under-served on trans-oceanic routes both east and west. Now perhaps Lufthansa and other trans-Atlantic carriers will come in too - Emirates, please, please, please come in too!
"but has been so under-served on trans-oceanic routes"
I don't know why people keep repeating things like this.
Phoenix's seat count on nonstop transoceanic routes, meets its measurable demand, especially after Air France came in, and the fares (as least as of 2023) are comparatively garbage (versus LAX, SFO, and even LAS). Phoenix is fortunate to have the service that it does.
AF came in at nearly the same time AA LHR route went from year round to summer only and Condor’s summer route was discontinued, leaving just the BA to LHR as the only daily year round route. So probably no real increase there.
I wonder when it becomes reasonable for Starlux/Alaska to force the discussion on the AA/JAL JV or possibly form one of their own to compete.
And I wonder if it ever occurred to the folks in Ft. Worth that maybe...just maybe an Asia route or 3 from PHX hub might provide an opportunity for system connectivity in a hub that could use some more international services. Even on a mediocre at best airline.
Why would they (AA) care about what Phoenix "could use," if routing their customers through other cities provides a greater return on investment?
Airlines are not charities.
You honestly think they never once sat back and did the math, on whether having the market of Phoenix/Philly/Miami to east Asia all to themselves, would bring a greater return than continuing to route passengers via Dallas/L.A./NYC?
The reason why there hasn't been much Asia service to Phoenix is that they have below average Asian demand and demographics, when compared to the national average, they have maybe half the percent of Asians you see nationally, and a quarter of the large metros that Asian diaspora tend to flock to like NYC and West Coast.
DFW itself has much more demand comparatively to PHX, and even then it's not that much. SEA a...
The reason why there hasn't been much Asia service to Phoenix is that they have below average Asian demand and demographics, when compared to the national average, they have maybe half the percent of Asians you see nationally, and a quarter of the large metros that Asian diaspora tend to flock to like NYC and West Coast.
DFW itself has much more demand comparatively to PHX, and even then it's not that much. SEA a CSA that's maybe half the size of DFW metroplex has about 50% more demand to Asia thanks to demographics.
Often such long-distance international routes need a good number of passengers flying Business of First for the route to be viable, Until recently there was no big company in Phoenix that would help with this. Now TMSC is such a company. TMSC has already invested $65 billion in its Phoenix fabs and is investing $100 billion more or additional fabs. As per Google AI overview:
"The first TSMC fab in Phoenix is currently in operation,...
Often such long-distance international routes need a good number of passengers flying Business of First for the route to be viable, Until recently there was no big company in Phoenix that would help with this. Now TMSC is such a company. TMSC has already invested $65 billion in its Phoenix fabs and is investing $100 billion more or additional fabs. As per Google AI overview:
"The first TSMC fab in Phoenix is currently in operation, with mass production of 4nm chips having started in early 2025. This facility is supplying high-end SoCs to major clients like Apple and NVIDIA, according to SEMI VISION. The second fab, which will utilize more advanced 2nm technology, is scheduled to begin production in 2028. The third fab, focusing on even more advanced technologies, is expected to be operational by the end of the decade. "
If this flights does well one can expect more non-stops between PHX and asian cities. The city of Phoenix has been trying hard for such connections.
United is out there trying Ulaanbaatar and Nuuk, while AA can’t even find one place in Asia to fly from PHX, a large hub? If Starlux sees all the growing traffic between Phoenix and Taiwan, why doesn’t AA see it and give it a shot? Seems like they’d have a better chance of making it work, given all the connecting possibilities they have at PHX.
Scott,
Fun post but completely ignorant on demand. UA doesn't serve either location you mention from SFO. Though both are doable from SFO. Taiwanese carriers thrive on low yield routes. United and AA do not.
This is a great addition but I would think any of the East Coast points, especially NYC-area, would be far more lucrative.
In totality, sure. But what good does that do Starlux, if the majority of that lucrative market is going to EVA and China Airlines, who both have more planes, more connections, more partners, and greater brand awareness?
Starlux's only current advantage is its lower costs, which permits it to try opportunities that would be harder for the other two to profitably pull off. We're seeing that here.
There’s value in being the first in a market. Given the investment in Phoenix coming from Taiwan and other parts of Asia, it makes a lot of sense for Starlux to beat their rivals to the punch. I’m sure they’ll get to New York eventually (obviously they have no problem with entering a competitive market), but it would be foolish to not take advantage of Phoenix’s growth early.
I don't think PHX is big enough for multiple airlines to Taiwan yet. It seems like a reasonable choice for Starlux. If EVA Air or China Airlines wants to expand, there are better cities to do so than fight with Starlux. Examples might be Newark, Dulles, Denver for EVA Air and Atlanta for China Airlines and Honolulu or San Diego for any one of them.
Um, Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the country, and Maricopa County has 5 million people.
This route will do well.
"Um, Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the country"
City-proper means absolutely nothing to airlines.
"Maricopa County has 5 million people"
Getting warmer. Catchment is of concern to airlines, not cities.
"This route will do well."
Has nothing to do with population, and everything to do with increasing business ties.
Wrong. The statistics for O&D and tye transfers for airlines out and into phoenix is one of the largest. Its surprising it took this long to get an Asian routing.
@derek Why would Eva Air return to Newark as they already terminated that route in favor of serving JFK?
I genuinely don't know how real this route is.
But big if true. Starlux has been performing ok load wise in the US, but not doing a great job of filling the front.
The route feels sketchy overall to be honest. I guess JX couldn't find anywhere else to grow?
No real surprise there. Phoenix has had explosive growth in business ties between Taiwan (and also ASEAN countries) in the last few years.
TSMC-USA, Moov, Microchip TI, Onsemi, ASM, and Anadigm are PHX-based semiconductor companies that will have an interest in supporting this flight... particularly TSMC, as its worldwide HQ is in TPE.
Freeport McMoRan is likely going to be another huge supporter. They're the 2nd largest mining company in the country, with most...
No real surprise there. Phoenix has had explosive growth in business ties between Taiwan (and also ASEAN countries) in the last few years.
TSMC-USA, Moov, Microchip TI, Onsemi, ASM, and Anadigm are PHX-based semiconductor companies that will have an interest in supporting this flight... particularly TSMC, as its worldwide HQ is in TPE.
Freeport McMoRan is likely going to be another huge supporter. They're the 2nd largest mining company in the country, with most of their ops between their Phoenix headquarters and SE Asia. This flight finally gives them 1-stop option to far more destinations than any other carrier now provides.
I won't be surprised to see this flight do just fine, particularly if they place an AA codeshare or interline on it.
Be interesting to see if OneWorld is ever an option though, considering that CX has veto-power, plus incentive to use it.
Cathay Pacific have mentioned that they won't automatically block Starlux
https://www.headforpoints.com/2024/10/20/cathay-pacific-unlikely-to-return-to-gatwick/
Ben, at this point we need a post debating whether the AA international network is just plain embarassing.
It's like Spongebob meme where Patrick is looking out the window.
The MIDT data (taken from James Pearson) for the year ending in November 2024, puts PHX-TPE at 51K pax.
With a nonstop in place, that would grow even larger.
Maybe this is Southwest's second international partner??
That's one bombshell..that ironically makes sense
Im hoping UA or AA sees this as an opportunity to monitor and open up a Narita/Haneda routing out of PHX. Living here and traveling back and forth through SFO and LAX is added time + added $$. There is definitely a market for Japan and Taipei out here.
this will have to be a late evening departure from PHX in the summer because of the temperature
All of JX's departures from North America are late night departures year round.
It would probably follow the standard format of a midnight ish departure from the US to arrive in Taipei at the crack of dawn for connections, and an evening departure from Taipei arriving in Phoenix in the evening. Regardless of the climate.
I'm curious if they get in around 5-6ish and leave the a/c on the ground longer than usual to facilitate for connections with AA or get in around 8ish just like the rest of their North American arrival bank.
CX gets in around 17-1800 to help facilitate with connections and while the rest of their evening bank gets in around 20-2300 with the exception of ORD as they get in the morning as well as LAX and SFO.
I think they are cancelling the additional LAX flights that typically depart at 8pm for this Phoenix flight, so there might be the case. The Phoenix flight most likely will target local traffic from Taiwan so they don't need to accommodate the departure time some of the connections from Asia to TPE. SGN/HAN/BKK/HKG/MFM are fine since they have two or more daily flights. But SIN/KUL will miss out, but I don't think that's the target for this flight.
This is a logical route as TSMC is investing billions of dollars in semiconductor manufacturing facilities. This is also driving Taiwanese sub suppliers to set up offices in the Phoenix metropolitan area. I would expect these flights to have a high load throughout the year
Wow, this is a huge route announcement. One of the most prominent, in addition to the Ethiad announcement for Charlotte.
This will open up connections through Taipei for customers in Asia and Phoenix. This is very exciting and great to see innovative routes.
It is to be seen when Starlux will announce their anticipated route to New York’s JFK route. They must be waiting on slots to become available
Starlux is waiting for the delivery of the brand new Airbus A350-1000s before they will start flights to New York! -900s are perhaps a bit too small for the math to work out, so they are waiting for the -1000s with a more premium layout.
Adrian
No comment on "it’s a perfect match for our level of service"? :)