Taiwanese carrier Starlux Airlines has just placed an additional Airbus A350 order, with the goal of expanding long haul service in the coming years.
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Starlux orders 10 more Airbus A350-1000s
Starlux has today announced a firm order for the purchase of an additional 10 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. For context, Starlux launched operations in 2020 and has an all-Airbus fleet, comprised of 28 jets, including A350-900s, A330-900neos, and A321neos.
So far, Starlux’s A350 fleet consists of 10 A350-900s. The airline had previously ordered eight A350-1000s, so now there are 18 A350-1000s on order, meaning the airline will eventually fly 28 A350s. The A350-1000 is one of the most in demand wide body jets, given its long range, high capacity, and great unit costs. It’s the larger of the two existing A350 variants.
Here’s how Starlux CEO Glenn Chai describes this order:
“Expanding our international fleet with additional A350-1000s is a significant step toward reinforcing our global presence and enhancing connectivity across key markets. This aircraft offers efficiency, range and comfort, making it the perfect fit for our strategy to optimise long-haul operations while delivering an exceptional passenger experience. As we continue to strengthen our international network, the A350-1000 will play an important role in driving growth, sustainability and operational flexibility.”
Starlux A350-1000 delivery timeline & configuration
Now that Starlux has taken delivery of all of its A350-900s, when can we expect the 18 outstanding A350-1000s to be delivered?
Currently, the expectation is that Starlux will take delivery of its first A350-1000 in late 2025, five A350-1000s in 2026, and two A350-1000s in 2027. Then the latest batch of A350-1000s will be delivered starting in 2031, so there will be quite a gap.
With these additional planes, Starlux plans to expand service to the East Coast of the United States, as well as to Europe. Until the airline takes delivery of A350-1000s, it’s pretty maxed out on long haul routes.
Starlux is expected to configure its A350-1000s with a total of 350 seats, including four first class seats, 40 business class seats, 36 premium economy seats, and 270 economy seats. As a point of comparison, A350-900s feature 306 seats, including four first class seats, 26 business class seats, 36 premium economy seats, and 240 economy seats.
So as you can see, the A350-1000s feature an extra 14 business class seats and 30 economy seats compared to the smaller variant.
It’s amazing how Taiwan manages to have three full service, global carriers, with them seemingly coexisting quite successfully. This largely reflects that Taipei is a major connecting hub to other points in Asia, so with connecting traffic, the airlines have no problems filling seats. The fact that airlines from mainland China haven’t restored capacity to pre-pandemic levels also helps.
Bottom line
Starlux plans to grow its long haul fleet, with a firm order for 10 additional A350-1000s. The airline already has 10 A350-900s in its fleet, and will soon start taking delivery of A350-1000s. The airline previously had eight A350-1000s on order, and that has now been boosted to 18 A350-1000s. I’m looking forward to seeing the airline continue to grow… and maybe join the oneworld alliance?
What do you make of Starlux’s incremental A350-1000 order?
Adding to Eve’s comment below, the demand between Taiwan and India, from what I’ve seen, is crazy. TG is one of the biggest airlines carrying passengers between India and TPE, and a few weeks back I flew a TG A320 from TPE to BKK absolutely crammed with Indian passengers. It’s amazing how BR/CI/JX refuse to look anywhere west of BKK in Asia, when there’s so much demand from the Indian market.
I am talking purely on immigration statistics. India is not even in top 10 both in terms of global and Asian passport holders who enter Taiwan for tourism. Even Germany, UK, Netherlands and France all exceed in entry into Taiwan every year, with the former two in twice the amount. You are looking at very specific points but my point still stands. Singapore had 1.1 million Indian tourist last year and Hong Kong had 380k,...
I am talking purely on immigration statistics. India is not even in top 10 both in terms of global and Asian passport holders who enter Taiwan for tourism. Even Germany, UK, Netherlands and France all exceed in entry into Taiwan every year, with the former two in twice the amount. You are looking at very specific points but my point still stands. Singapore had 1.1 million Indian tourist last year and Hong Kong had 380k, both have been growing year on year. Taiwan on the other hand has had a consistent 30-40k in Indian tourists for over 15 years.
The heavy requirements on visa is a hindrance for Indian visitors into Taiwan. The data is out there to prove it. And it is not like Indians are not interested to visit Taiwan, there are huge interest
That is a good comment - Taiwan needs to adjust how it thinks about the Indian market as India's economy continues to grow at 6-8% YoY. It is still a lower yielding market, but disposable incomes continue to grow. There is an upper-middle class that is as large as the middle class in most European and Asian countries due to India's sheer size - this group that is ~10-15% of India's pop. has demand for...
That is a good comment - Taiwan needs to adjust how it thinks about the Indian market as India's economy continues to grow at 6-8% YoY. It is still a lower yielding market, but disposable incomes continue to grow. There is an upper-middle class that is as large as the middle class in most European and Asian countries due to India's sheer size - this group that is ~10-15% of India's pop. has demand for luxury goods and intl travel with disposable income on par with global standards even while the mass market is still quite poor.
It's why many SE Asian countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines) are reducing visa restrictions and courting Indian tourists for growth. Taiwan would be smart to do the same - right now the awareness of Taiwan tourism in the Indian market is low and barriers to tourism remain high.
I am certain with a more liberal visa program similar to the majority of what ASEAN countries offer, there will be very huge potential for this market. Until then, Indian tourists will always choose the easier options in the ASEAN region which offers more welcoming immigration rules. I hope ROC notes this in due time. They are leaving a huge market off the table and with many ASEAN countries opening their doors one by one...
I am certain with a more liberal visa program similar to the majority of what ASEAN countries offer, there will be very huge potential for this market. Until then, Indian tourists will always choose the easier options in the ASEAN region which offers more welcoming immigration rules. I hope ROC notes this in due time. They are leaving a huge market off the table and with many ASEAN countries opening their doors one by one to Indians, with Malaysia and Vietnam being the latest. It is pretty much a logical choice
Another big factor in their expansion is joining Oneworld, which they've made no secret of intending to do. Having an influx of passengers from American and Alaska could really help Starlux on their Seattle and Phoenix routes, as well as making entry into places like NYC, Chicago, and (via other members) London, Madrid, and Sydney more successful.
The good part for them, is that Cathay (who has veto power on new entrants) has come out...
Another big factor in their expansion is joining Oneworld, which they've made no secret of intending to do. Having an influx of passengers from American and Alaska could really help Starlux on their Seattle and Phoenix routes, as well as making entry into places like NYC, Chicago, and (via other members) London, Madrid, and Sydney more successful.
The good part for them, is that Cathay (who has veto power on new entrants) has come out and said that they will abide by whatever the Oneworld board's selection process determines, in terms of new Asian members.
Starlux has been working on a Finnair partnership, so the Oneworld membership makes a lot of sense.
That being said. Cathay runs a pretty good amount of traffic via TPE to Japan and has an outstation lounge there. I wonder what will happen there.
Starlux seems to be doing well overall, they must have some corporate contracts w/ TSMC given not only the PHX route, but also the usage of the A330neo on a small market like KMJ because of the Kumamoto factories.
JX is also reportedly in the works w/ a Finnair partnership for Europe expansion.
As an aside, I hope Starlux gets some TSA slots to operate GMP or HND flights. They have the A330neo, which can...
Starlux seems to be doing well overall, they must have some corporate contracts w/ TSMC given not only the PHX route, but also the usage of the A330neo on a small market like KMJ because of the Kumamoto factories.
JX is also reportedly in the works w/ a Finnair partnership for Europe expansion.
As an aside, I hope Starlux gets some TSA slots to operate GMP or HND flights. They have the A330neo, which can work well with the TSA restrictions.
On another note, just had a JX flight the other day with a foreign (European) pilot. It's really quite interesting how they're choosing to expand.
If I recall, the A330neo's wingspan won't fit TSAs gates hence China Airlines going with the 787.
https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1475463&hilit=tsa
The A321neos can if they decide to.
I was on the KMJ route last month, the entire business cabin had 2 pax. Economy was 20% full. There is no way they were making money on it, unless TSMC just buys 15 J seats per flight.
Not that I'm complaining, but any specific reason why LHR/CDG/FRA/AMS remain untouched by Starlux? Or even SYD/AKL?
SYD seems like a no brainer, especially since the demand on that route is high. But it seems Starlux is mostly focused on regional destinations and North America for now. Hopefully with more aircrafts they will start having a more diverse network
I wonder when they'll start flying further east to JFK, Boston, Chicago, and possibly Dallas and/or Houston. Would London be in the cards as well?
With China Airlines and EVA also acquiring A35Ks, I'm looking forward to see what they come up with and how they operate them.
India represents another significant growth potential market for them, when political/economic relations between India and Taiwan/Mainland China normalize.
Right now, there's not a single passenger flight between Taiwan and India, and if I'm not mistaken, the same goes for Mainland China and India. Hong Kong and Singapore are the main beneficiaries of that. Can't imagine Taiwan will want to stay out for long.
Direct flights between India and China are resuming this summer with China Eastern already having multiple Indian cities on schedule. The issue for Taiwan is demand will be one sided without some sort of visa relaxations for Indians, similar to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, who all have some sort of visa free program or very simple e-visa programs for Indians. But overall yes, market potential is huge and Taiwan can benefit a lot...
Direct flights between India and China are resuming this summer with China Eastern already having multiple Indian cities on schedule. The issue for Taiwan is demand will be one sided without some sort of visa relaxations for Indians, similar to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, who all have some sort of visa free program or very simple e-visa programs for Indians. But overall yes, market potential is huge and Taiwan can benefit a lot from a huge influx of Indian tourists or transit pax (to North America)
The bigger problem is the yields. Taiwanese airlines have actually flown to India in the past.
But the yields remain garbage in 2025.
Taiwanese airlines are able to succeed since they can command a fare premium within the US market and tier 1 Asia destinations.
China Eastern doesn't have any Indian cities on schedule.
My apologizes. I was looking at Manila and mistook it for Mumbai for some reason…
Though I do know they India and China are planning to resume direct flights this year