While my credit card is no doubt sad about it, I just booked a first class ticket on one of only two airlines in the world I’ve yet to fly in first class. I’m very excited, and now I just need to figure out how to get the last first class product off my list.
These last two products are the world’s least reviewed, and I think I’m setting myself up for disappointment here. But hey, that’s also the reason I’m checking these out… someone’s gotta do it, so I’m going to take one for the team!
In this post:
My Starlux Airlines first class ticket is booked, at last!
Starlux is a very well regarded airline — I’ve flown the carrier in business class on the Airbus A350-900, Airbus A330-900neo, and Airbus A321neo. The airline also has a first class product on its A350s, which is among the world’s most unusual first class products:
- It’s very expensive, and no matter where you originate, there doesn’t really seem to be a way to get a “deal” on a decent fare
- While the soft product looks excellent, the cabin isn’t even fully separated from business class, so it almost seems like a “business class plus” product
- There’s not a single review that I’ve seen of the carrier’s long haul first class product (rather than the cheaper intra-Asia flights), aside from Sam Chui flying the inaugural as a guest of the airline, with the CEO being the captain, so that’s hardly a “real” review
As someone who considers myself to be knowledgeable on the world’s best first class and best business class products, I figured it was my duty to check out this cabin, even if it costs me dearly… after all, I’m sure people will be intrigued by a report, whether it’s a good or bad experience.
Fortunately Starlux recently got into the business of selling miles. Now, on the surface, it’s not at all a good deal — the program charges four cents per mile, and up until now, we haven’t seen any promos. Starlux charges 120,000 miles for a one-way first class award between North America and Asia, so that’s $4,800. Gahhh, that’s a lot of money to spend on a flight, but at the same time, it’s about half of any of the carrier’s long haul first class fares, so it’s at least much better. Furthermore, Starlux is increasing award costs in the coming weeks.
I decided to take one for the team, since I figure I might as well be the first person to review every airline with first class on my own dime. So I purchased the 120,000 miles for $4,800. Let me be very clear — this absolutely stung, and it’s one of the three most expensive airline tickets I’ve ever purchased. But still, I consider it to be a fair investment to reach my “goal.”
On the plus side, first class award availability is excellent, and the miles posted immediately. So I could turn around and book my preferred itinerary from Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) to Tokyo Narita (NRT), which came with $305.20 in taxes & fees.
So in the end, I spent around $5,100 on my ticket — bleh — but at least it’s less than half of the retail cost of the itinerary.
I was intentional with the routing I chose:
- The transpacific flight is on the A350-900, while the short haul flight is on the newly delivered A350-1000, so I get to check out both plane types (the product is identical, but still!)
- By originating in LAX, I get access to PS LAX, which is the exclusive private terminal where you’re driven to the plane, so I can review that as well; that ordinarily costs $1,295 per person, so I at least consider that to help me recoup some of the cost
- During my connection I can check out Starlux’s first class lounge Taipei, which I’ve also never seen an English language review of; if you’re originating or terminating in Taipei you can also use the airport’s Huan Yu VIP Terminal, but that’s not available when connecting
I’m curious to see how this all goes. I’m fascinated by Starlux’s first class meal pre-order program, as it’s pretty robust. For example, below is my Los Angeles to Taipei menu, where you can select two starters and your main course for the main meal, plus your choice for breakfast.
It’s interesting how the caviar service is apparently an “online exclusive.” So if you don’t reserve it in advance, you don’t get caviar?!
Then on the shorter flight from Taipei to Tokyo I could select my main course. That “online exclusive” salt baked truffle wagyu steak looks pretty incredible.
Anyway, I’ll report back on my experience. And for that matter, I still need to figure out what I’m doing with the rest of this trip, as I haven’t yet booked a return.
That leaves good old Air Cote d’Ivoire first class
Once I fly Starlux Airlines first class, there’s only one real first class product left to try, and that’s Air Cote d’Ivoire first class (I’m not flying Air Peace’s imaginary first class, sorry). There’s not a single review out there about this product, and I have really low expectations, but I’m a completionist, and I need to check this out.
I’ve literally flown every other first class product out there, from TAAG Angola Airlines to Kuwait Airways, so I can’t stop now. If you think Starlux first class is a bad deal, Air Cote d’Ivoire is looking even worse. The airline offers first class on its Airbus A330-900neos between Abidjan (ABJ) and Paris (CDG).
The absolute best fare I’ve been able to find with a segment in first class is just over $5,000, and that includes one direction in first class and one direction in economy. Booking just a one-way ticket costs even more.
If anyone finds a better fare than this, please do let me know, because it just kills me to spend this much on what I think will almost certainly be a letdown. But I’ve come too far in my quest to review every first class to give up now, so if need be, maybe I’ll just rip off the band-aid and do it.
Obviously I hate spending this kind of money on these airlines (if it’s not clear yet), and on most other airlines I’ve been able to figure out something creative. But quite bluntly, at this point it’s a reasonable investment in my site to be the only person with this level of experience.
If Air Cote d’Ivoire does end up just being completely unremarkable, I might just have to channel our favorite drama king who loves to call everything a scam. 😉
Bottom line
I’ve finally booked a ticket in Starlux first class, which is the second to last first class product in the world that I haven’t flown. Starlux has long had absurdly high first class fares, though the airline did recently start selling miles. While that’s far from a great value, it does cut the cost of a first class ticket in roughly half, compared to paying cash, so that’s better than nothing.
I’m excited to check this out, and settle if Starlux first class is some uber-competitive product, or if this is a misleading “business class plus” product, and the airline is trying to pull a fast one. That then leaves Air Cote d’Ivoire, which is perhaps the first class product I’m most dreading, in terms of value.
I’m frustrated by how much I’m spending on this, but I’m too close to reviewing every first class product to just give up now, or to just keep these two carriers on the list in perpetuity.
Any predictions or thoughts on how this is going to go? And how should I return from Japan?
I just booked using the purchased points as well. First was available LAX-TPE, but only Business available TPE-HAN. Haven't been able to get a good answer of if I'll be able to use the First class lounge in TPE or not since I'm connecting to a business class seat.
Other interesting note: I'm not traveling until Christmas. They won't confirm the LA private first class terminal until ten days before the flight
Food looks underwhelming if you are a vegetarian and hard to see what the hype is about- miles have no “currency value” on other airlines, etc
The First Class meal options don't look very differentiated on TPE to NRT, they look highly similar to the Business Class ones fyi. They might actually be identical or only marginally different.
The Hutong meal is a pre-order option on many TPE to Japan routes, perhaps without the "truffle" addition. The other options are actually the same though.
Very excited for the review! How were the points purchased? Could you at least get x5 Amex points?
@ FrozenKiwi -- Thanks! Since it's processed by points.com, my assumption was that it wouldn't qualify as airfare. So I put it on my Bilt Palladium Card. Was also tempted to use my Atmos Summit Card, which offers 3x points on foreign purchases, whether in foreign currency or just processed abroad. That being said, I wasn't sure it would process correctly, so I went with the safest best that offered the best return.
Do you have a similar list of Business Classes you need to review? Saw a video of someone documenting a Cubana flight operated with an Ilyushin and made me think of you. Not that you should specifically review it, but I'd be fascinated by what's on your list.
@ David W -- I'd LOVE to fly Cubana, but I don't think that's happening any time soon for me, sadly. Regarding business class, there are hundreds of airlines out there in business class, so I think it's impossible to review all of them. That being said, it might be time for an updated list of the business class products I most want to review, as I do have some fun ones on my radar (and not just mainstream ones).
Yes, please!!! Updated list!!!!!
J+ isn't F.
Delta comfort isn't a separate cabin or upgrade.
Adding a door doesn't make a 68"x24" space a suite.
@ Sel_D -- I agree in theory, and sometimes the line is a bit blurred. Though I guess to step back and look at the big picture, what does make something first class vs. business class? Is it the existence of a curtain, or...?
Very exciting, I’m glad you sprung for it!! Any idea what Champagne they serve in F?
And I think when you do Air Côte d’Ivoire F, to bounce back from the inevitable disappointment, you should book La Premiere for the return trip. Would be a fascinating and funny head to head, and I’m curious what AF ground services are like at Abidjan for La Premiere passengers!
@ Motion to Dismiss -- Hah, that would be a funny head-to-head, though I think I'll have hemorrhaged enough "value" on this trip without the expense of La Premiere, whether paying cash or redeeming miles. Regarding champagne, that's an excellent question, and one of the many reasons that I feel I need to report back!
I did some Googling and it looks like there are reports of Starlux F serving Bollinger La Grande Annee. Not bad, one of my favorites that I think also punches above its price point. Curious to see if that’s still the case and eager to hear about your experience!
Also about time you re-reviewed Air NZ Business, now they have rolled out new seats and new soft product (more customized meals where you decide on main + sides)
@ Sam -- Oh, definitely want to check out NZ again, great idea. How bad is award availability nowadays?
Lil typo: d'Ivoire (currently d'Ivore)
@ hbilbao -- Fixed, thank you!
I think the main source of disappointment is gonna be that the product isn't really designed for the American customers who are extremely focused on hard product, disproportionately so compared to soft product. It's the same issue as with European business class. Starlux First class isn't above giving you some mind-blowing seat but providing a proper VIP experience (using GA terminals at most airports), and an elevated service on board. The seat isn't meant to...
I think the main source of disappointment is gonna be that the product isn't really designed for the American customers who are extremely focused on hard product, disproportionately so compared to soft product. It's the same issue as with European business class. Starlux First class isn't above giving you some mind-blowing seat but providing a proper VIP experience (using GA terminals at most airports), and an elevated service on board. The seat isn't meant to be the selling point.
@ Samo -- I hear you, and I'm coming in with an open mind. I actually appreciate what the airline is going for, in theory, because I do think offering a nice end-to-end experience is important.
I do still think some separation from business class is useful in terms of being able to control noise, light pollution, etc., so that's probably my biggest concern with the hard product.
I'm also curious about the lavatory...
@ Samo -- I hear you, and I'm coming in with an open mind. I actually appreciate what the airline is going for, in theory, because I do think offering a nice end-to-end experience is important.
I do still think some separation from business class is useful in terms of being able to control noise, light pollution, etc., so that's probably my biggest concern with the hard product.
I'm also curious about the lavatory situation. I've heard that when there's someone in first class, they save the forward lavatory for that passenger, even though there's no physical indicator that business class passengers can't use it.
If the soft product is stellar, I'll probably come away with a very positive impression, while if it's not, I'll be squarely in the "wait, this is 'business class plus' with a great ground product" camp.
Ouchie! Those price-tags! Hope it's worth it. Looking forward to the reviews, regardless. (Samar's recent JX Business Class trip-report was excellent, so I can only imagine how First'll shape-up.)
Jerusalem artichokes on menu? They are also called sunchokes or, in my house, fartichokes. They live up to their reputation for producing a lot of gas. Seriously. So it will be interesting to see if the first class area is extra smelly.
@ Jeff -- Hah! Well I'm not ordering them, and basically no one seems to ever book Starlux first class, so there shouldn't be too many odors (unless they're also serving it in business class).
Ben, I am really excited that you are doing this. I love Starlux business--which is better than a lot of first class products. And have been dreaming about what the first class experience must be like (including buying miles). One thing, however, I have to tell you is that the lounge in TPE is not particularly impressive. I can't wait to read about this and the lounge experience in LA. Also, you said award prices...
Ben, I am really excited that you are doing this. I love Starlux business--which is better than a lot of first class products. And have been dreaming about what the first class experience must be like (including buying miles). One thing, however, I have to tell you is that the lounge in TPE is not particularly impressive. I can't wait to read about this and the lounge experience in LA. Also, you said award prices are going up--will that impact partner redemptions on Alaska? Thank you!
@ FlyerDad -- Thanks! Nope, increased award prices are just through the Starlux COSMILE program. I've only visited the carrier's older lounge, so I look forward to checking out the new one, even if it's not great. It does have a first class section, so I'm curious what that's like.
5k for F class. Especially only 3600miles. No thanks.
@ isaacC -- I KNOW! But what am I supposed to do?! Gah!
I just spent the same for a one way SFO-LHR Polaris ticket so...this seems like a steal HA
Hey at least you got 9.5cpm on the redemption!
Unf it cost you 4cpm to buy them DOH
@ gobaers -- Hah, I like that way of thinking of it.
Super excited for this one, especially PS LAX!!
For the returns you should consider PAL $1700 one way NRT YYZ, to check out the new 35K.
@ JJ -- I did see those great Philippine Airlines fares, and I'm very tempted by that. Hmmm. I guess that would also earn me a lot of Atmos Rewards status points, though I'm not sure I really value going for Titanium over Platinum.
Do you think you could write in to see whether they could get Huan Yu arranged? Surely that would be something they'd be happy to arrange?
@ Alvin | YTHK -- I did fill out the first class inquiry form, where they ask you which services you'd like. I checked the box for both PS LAX and the Huan Yu Terminal. When they contacted me, they informed me I was eligible for the former, but not the latter, and that matches the T&Cs. So I'm not going to fight it, since I just want to have the "real" experience. :-)
I've been wanting a review on United's Island Hopper forever now so why not try to include it somehow?!
And we're still waiting on the story about the date directly on the table haha.
@ Mike O. -- Hah, whoops, I'll respond to the date comment in a bit over on that review, my apologies! Would love to do the Island Hopper, but hoping to tie it into a bigger South Pacific trip. Great idea, though.
There's Philippine Airlines' A35K which are fairly new if that tickles your fancy or you'd rather wait to tie it to the Island Hopper to get the full experience?
Ideally I'd try to get on the newest aircraft in an airline's fleet in the region when making your way back.
Lollllll ouchhh! Thanks for taking one for the team, Lucky! Can't wait to read the review!! :-)
$4800 for a long haul journey in first class isn't all that expensive. You've been flying on point redemptions for far too long (•‿•).
super generous of you to write: "There’s not a single review that I’ve seen of the carrier’s long haul first class product (rather than the cheaper intra-Asia flights), aside from Sam Chui flying the inaugural as a guest of the airline, with the CEO being the captain, so that’s hardly a “real” review"
Let me fix it based on what we were all thinking when reading that: "There’s not a single review that I’ve seen...
super generous of you to write: "There’s not a single review that I’ve seen of the carrier’s long haul first class product (rather than the cheaper intra-Asia flights), aside from Sam Chui flying the inaugural as a guest of the airline, with the CEO being the captain, so that’s hardly a “real” review"
Let me fix it based on what we were all thinking when reading that: "There’s not a single review that I’ve seen of the carrier’s long haul first class product (rather than the cheaper intra-Asia flights), aside from Sam Chui, so that's hardly a "real" review"