I’m Flying Starlux Airlines First Class: Only One First Class Product Left To Go!

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, so I’m going to take one for the team!

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’Ivore 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’Ivore 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’Ivore 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’Ivore 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’Ivore, 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?