After a transpacific flight in Starlux first class, I tried the airline's short intra-Asia first class from Taipei to Tokyo. Here's how the two compared.
Can't wait to see a photo of the badass F luggage "crate", @Ben! Who opens it when it arrives at the baggage belt?
Let the countdown begin for the ACd'I party in the clouds!!!!!
@ hbilbao -- Hahaha re: ACd'I! There seems to be a dedicated Starlux employee who is at baggage claim who opens it, as she met me as I arrived there with the escort.
In terms of genuine first class on short haul flights - what about QR to CAI? They have one or two flights per day with both business and first class. I don't know how much they differ from each other, nor from their two-class planes, so it's entirely possible they don't really qualify.
It should be noted that out of the four A35Ks that JX currently has, two (B-58551 and B-58552) have the Carbon Fiber tail (and you got one of those), while the ones that you wanted to fly on — B-58553 and B-58554 — have the Airsorayama Silver and Gold livery, respectively. So even if not the Airsorayama birds, you still got a pretty cool livery by all means.
Curiously enough, most airlines that operate the A350-1000 belong to Oneworld — including upcoming member Philippine Airlines. The real ‘gahhhh!’, according to me, comes from the fact that Starlux will most likely NOT be able to join Oneworld!
To me this seems more like regional F quality in the Middle East. For example, QR does this on their DOH to DXB flights. You do get Al Safwa access and stuff, but the in flight experience is nothing crazy.