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.
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
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
What about Air Premia?! You haven't tried them before.
I’ve flown Starlux four times in J, and I’ve found the soft product—particularly the food and service—to be very inconsistent. I’m not a fan of their lounge either. I wouldn’t choose to fly them again unless there were a significant price advantage.
This is great but it would have been even better to fly JX F TPE-LAX or SFO because Starlux is a Taiwanese airline and it's better to fly from the base than from a remote station back. You will be the most authentic experience.
Consider changing the flight to be TPE to LAX, SFO, or SEA.
@ Saunders -- I hear you, though I do also have TPE-NRT in first class, so I'll get some of the hub catering. I just decided there was more upside by being able to review PS LAX.
I'm a completionist, too. Just do it. It's a cost of doing business. And, thank you for your service.
Kindly fly and review JAL J, Tokyo to the United States of America. Only because my wife and I are flying JA BOS-NRT-HAN J in January. I need to know that we made an excellent choice. Booked it just as Trump's little Iran conflagration started to heat up, so snared an excellent fare!
JL in J is nearly always a good time. Bonus points if it’s on their 35K. Less so if it’s recliners, but still, excellent service.
Good for you Lucky. And good for us since we get the review!
I am not a tax professional but does this not fall under a business expense?
Declaring something a business expense just means you don’t pay taxes on that portion of your income, the money still comes out of your pocket, lol.
I vote Uzbekistan from NRT to Tashkent and then Qanot Sharq to JFK.
@ Peter_ -- Hah! I've been keeping a close eye on that Qanot Sharq flight, but it seems like they keep delaying JFK service, no?
what would we ever do as a community lacking a Air Cote d’Ivoire F review?? many of us have been eying bookings for months, awaiting only the OMAAT review 😉
"it just kills me to spend this much on what I think will almost certainly be a letdown."
There's always Kickstarter or GoFundMe...or a Lufthansa rubber duck raffle. Or how 'bout a fundraiser classic, bid on a lunch with the founder of OMAAT (at a super-elite airport facility like CDG La Premiere or YYZ Signature Suite, of course).
😉
@Ben doesn't Rossiya still have a genuine F class? If yes, I know Russia is not on your list right now but that would be very much worth "enduring" for our due diligence ("entertainment") once things have calmed down.
Would also love the Ivory Coast review. The country is truly amazing and I loved my visit there. Ford and the family could go to Ghana and you could hop over there to meet them... And there is that hysterical airplane hotel in Accra calling your name.
Nope, it's as extra space business class https://onemileatatime.com/rossiya-business-class/
@ pstm91 -- While Russian aviation is fascinating, as noted by Barbarella, it's no longer marketed as first class. So I'm off the hook there, hah.
I've been wanting to visit more of West Africa in general, so I'm actually excited to eventually check out a few countries in the region.
What I’m most excited about is that you’ll hopefully get one of the Airsorayama liveries. They look gorgeous!
@Ben--Regarding the Air Cote d’Ivoire flight, can you skip the return in Economy, or would they charge you even more for a no-show?
Usually no-show fees are only incurred if you try to get a refund or change to a different flight after missing the one you’ve booked. If you just forfeit the remainder of your ticket there wouldn’t be a charge (airlines aren’t a big fan of people doing this intentionally, and could retaliate by canceling your FFP account, but it’s usually fine as long as you don’t do it frequently).
@ SBS -- As noted by WaywardAlpaca, it's generally not going to be an issue, especially if you don't do it frequently, don't have a frequent flyer account with the airline, etc.
I'm very excited for this review! I am fortunate enough to be at a stage in my life where I can spend money on luxury travel, so I've found your recent reviews of "higher end" hotels and flights useful
@lucky - you've got to visit the Galactic lounge in T2! That place is just bonkers with its Star Wars style. Especially the pneumatic-sounding power sliding doors to the shower rooms. Don't know if they have special amenities for first class passengers at that lounge - a lightsaber with Starlux CEO signature?
@ SBS -- Hah, I can't wait to check it out. And yeah, there's a small first class section, so I'm curious what that's like.
I worked in travel for over 40 years and was lucky to travel the world many times in business or first class at greatly reduced rates but I never disclosed how much I paid for a ticket or whether it was a freebie as I just do not think it is the right thing to do.Many people cannot even afford the cost of an air ticket and I respect this and always will so for you to be in the advantageous position you are in does not give you the right to boast about how you travel and how much you pay for a ticket as basically you are just reviewing and giving your own personal opinion.
@ Jules0760 -- You're entitled to your opinion, but I'm a little confused. Reviewing airlines is (in part) my job. I'm not "boasting" about how I travel, I'm simply sharing my experiences, including being transparent about what I paid. Would you rather that I don't disclose how much I paid for a ticket?
@Jules0760 I, on the other hand, appreciate Ben’s transparency and the fact that he pays, with cash or with miles, for flights he reviews (so I know these are honest, independent reviews).
This is in stark contrast to so many blogs these days - like “Head for Points” in the UK which only reviews freebies it gets from airlines and hotels, and unsurprisingly always has reviewing reviews…
100% disagree with this idea. As someone who reviews airlines, it is essential that Ben is fully transparent about the cost if he is to have any credibility.
@Jules0760 - respectfully this is a very backwards take. Transparency is at the core of honest reporting and Ben has always been good about posting real pricing or been very clear in the rare instance he is offered a free trip. I prefer knowing and if he stopped posting this information I’d get mighty suspicious.
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
Then why not spend 1 or 2 days in Taiwan?
@ tuotuo -- Because then you have to pay for the two awards separately, since stopovers aren't allowed on one-ways. The ticket would go from costing 120K points to costing 180K points.
Hate to do this, but there is a review of LAX - TPE in First already out there, from a year ago apparently
https://flight-report.com/en/report/73808/starlux-airlines-jx001-los-angeles-lax-taipei-tpe/
I am glad you are doing this though Ben, if only so you can stop agonising about it 😉
I think starlux gives first class passengers access to the private suites (PS) at LAX. would be great to see that in the review as well