A close look at Starlux's A350-1000 first class on the short Taipei to Tokyo Narita hop, comparing it to the carrier's long haul product.
I would’ve taken a picture of it, but the crate was literally right under a “no photos” sign (coincidentally), and this is Japan, so I didn’t want to be a rule breaker and offend anyone.
This was exactly the question I was about to type...
Anywho, seems like JX F was a great experience, lounge quirks and all!
I don't think Starlux can't do first class, Japan and Korea both support it, but I personally think the utilization is suboptimal. The product is too barebones on a shorthaul route.
TPE to places like BKK/SIN/CGK/KUL, which are more medium haul for their US longhaul connections makes sense, and they can provide a more comprehensive F experience.
In general, Taiwan to Japan flights are not one that needs an F offering, even for connections. Point to point passengers overwhelmingly prefer TSA to HND, given how short the flight is, I'm taking TSA to HND in J over F on TPE to NRT any day.
They're also flying to too many US airports that don't really support F. ONT/PHX/SEA aren't really ever going to fill out an F cabin, even SFO struggles.
They really need to figure out their utilization a bit better, the A330neos are perfect for TPE to NRT/KIX/other Japan routes and connections. And they're going to need J only, non-F A350s for the US routes.
Hmm, not a word on the Carbon Fibre livery of the Starlux A350-1000 and missing out on the Airsorayama liveries (gold on B-58554 and silver on B-58553)?! You know you were dying to fly those!
Can’t wait for the Philippine Airlines reviews, followed by previews of the much more mediocre Air Algérie and Tunisair… Lucky’s in full swing!
For anyone who wants to see the crate and crating process
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbKXLGoNmf3/
kennyyapster on instagram
'Maybe I should have my avgeek card revoked, but I was caught off guard by the Parata Air A330, as that wasn’t an airline that was on my radar.' - That would make 2 of us. First time hearing about it!
@Ben, you didn't tell us how the boba latte was! Good? Bad? Whatever? Also, thank you for going back to including the names/types of airplanes in the captions for your photos!
Looks fantastic. If only they tried to actually sell these intra Asia F seats at a price anyone would pay! I'm flying them TPE-BKK next month and the additional cost for a 3hr flight is just absurd.
So, when you say long-haul first class impresses more, in what way do you mean, given the also exceptional care given to this flight? Lovely review!
@Ben do you know whether Starlux release more than one F award seats for each flight?