It’s finally happening! Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines will be launching flights to the United States as of this spring, and the first route to Los Angeles is now on sale. This is super exciting, so let’s go over the details.
In this post:
Starlux Airlines Taipei to Los Angeles flight details
Starlux Airlines will launch flights between Taipei (TPE) and Los Angeles (LAX) as of April 26, 2023, and the flight is now bookable directly through the carrier’s website. The flight will operate with the following schedule:
JX2 Taipei to Los Angeles departing 11:40PM arriving 8:30PM
JX1 Los Angeles to Taipei departing 12:50AM arriving 5:40AM (+1 day)
The 6,799-mile flight is blocked at 11hr50min eastbound and 13hr50min westbound. The flight will initially operate 5x weekly, and then as of June 4, 2023, frequencies will increase to daily. Starlux Airlines will use an Airbus A350-900 for the route.
Starlux Airlines is of course facing tough competition in the market, as Taiwan’s two other excellent airlines — China Airlines and EVA Air — also operate this route. Then again, the airline faces that competition on all of its current routes.
This is Starlux Airlines’ first route to the United States, though it’s expected that the carrier will add several more routes as it takes delivery of more A350s. Starlux currently has two A350s in its fleet, with plans to take delivery of a further 16 jets. These will primarily fly to North America and Europe, while A321neos and A330-900neos will be used for short and medium haul flights.
Starlux Airlines pricing to & from Los Angeles
As a huge fan of Starlux Airlines, I’m desperate to try this service. So, with tickets now on sale, what is pricing like? Well, it’s steep. Generally you’d expect to find the cheapest fares if originating in Asia (pricing is usually cheaper ex-Asia than ex-US), and when connecting from somewhere other than Taipei (airlines have more pricing power for nonstop markets).
Unfortunately all fares I’ve found are well over $2,500 one-way, and I’m not even seeing any roundtrip fares under $5,000. Perhaps what’s most surprising is how expensive first class is, as it’s consistently priced more than three times as much as business class. While Starlux’s inflight product looks great, first class doesn’t look that special in terms of hard product.
I’m curious to see how pricing evolves, given the competition Starlux faces. Furthermore, Starlux doesn’t have any airline partners, so there isn’t any practical way to redeem points for this, aside from through Starlux’s own program (though I can’t imagine many people have big balances with the program).
While I’m a top-tier Starlux COSMILE Insighter member, unfortunately my points balance is pretty sad. Now if only Starlux Airlines could get some airline partnerships, so that there’s a good way to earn & redeem points for these flights. Air Canada Aeroplan, I’m looking at you!
Is anyone seeing any lower fares for Starlux Airlines flights to & from LAX? I’m ready to book something, I’m just hoping for a bit more of a deal. It’s too bad Starlux doesn’t fly to Cairo or Colombo… 😉
What Starlux Airlines’ Airbus A350s are like
Starlux Airlines’ Airbus A350-900s are in a four cabin configuration, featuring 306 seats. This includes:
- Four first class seats
- 26 business class seats
- 36 premium economy seats
- 240 economy class seats
Starlux is the first airline in Taiwan to offer first class. A350s feature four first class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration. First class suites feature 60-inch doors and privacy partitions, 32-inch 4K screens with bluetooth audio, zero-gravity seat settings, and personal wardrobes for storing luggage.
Starlux A350s feature 26 business class seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration. Business class seats feature 48-inch doors and privacy partitions, 24-inch 4K screens with bluetooth audio, and zero-gravity seat settings.
Starlux A350s feature 36 premium economy seats, in a 2-4-2 configuration. Premium economy seats feature leg rests and footrest bars, and 15.6-inch 4K screens with bluetooth audio.
Starlux A350s feature 240 economy seats, in a 3-3-3 configuration. Economy seats feature 13-inch 4K screens with bluetooth audio.
While the cabins look great, what makes Starlux Airlines really special is the service. The carrier bills itself as a “detail oriented luxury airline,” and based on my experience flying Starlux’s A321neo business class, I’d say that’s an accurate description. I can’t wait to see what the carrier has planned for its long haul inflight service.
Bottom line
Starlux Airlines will finally be launching long haul flights as of late April 2023, as the airline will start flying its A350s to Los Angeles. It’s so exciting to see this finally happen.
The flights are now bookable, though unfortunately pricing is on the steep side. Hopefully that changes over time, so if there’s something I’m missing, please let me know.
What do you make of Starlux Airlines’ upcoming LAX service?
What did you have to do Ben for that Starlux Card?
I’m flying this route in June! Very excited to sit on a sparkly new a350!
NEWS ALERT: A Taiwanese appeal court has confirmed the estate of Chang Yung-fa passing to his fourth son Kuo-wei, owner of Starlux. It is still unclear if Chang Kuo-wei will now own both Starlux and EVA.
My daughter has bought a ticket last April 2, 2023 for April 30 flt JX 1/ JX 785 LA - TAIPEI - MANILA with 12 hours layover in Taipei. Total cost is USD 711.85 which includes fare USD 604.21, baggage protection USD 40 and KIAMA surcharge USD 67.64 ..sorry, I don't know how to post a screenshot of the payment details.
US suport Taiwan Then why Airbus ?????
The first class fares are absurd----and you dont even get a separate cabin!.I predict this will fail and they will either rename it 'Business premium' or hopefully insert a barrier and charge more realistic prices.
omg its my friend ryan being mentioned in the article!!!
Can’t wait for chinese airlines to enter the market and dump seats. Price have been steep for a while.
Can’t wait for a round trip in Y for 400 usd and J for under $2k. Great for mileage run.
Just saw a video trip report for Starlux a350 biz TPE-BKK, and it does look very good for such a short flight (I’ve flown TPE-BKK on BR and TH in C and this looked significantly better), but one wonders if the long haul C experience can really be that much better than BR? Anyway, really looking forward to the trip report, Ben :)
The F price is quite crazy.
According to JX Mandarin website and press release some initial indication of soft product : At LAX F pax will use PS LAX Terminal. And the equivalent in TPE. Chauffeur service at both POS. Taiwan Michelin starred chef curated menu with Caviar/ steak/ lobster in dine on demand service. Unclear what alcohol program will be offered. Ensuite Mini bar as well.
@ Gary -- Interesting, thank you! Do you have a link, by chance?
https://www.starlux-airlines.com/zh-TW/experience/walk-into-starlux/first-class/ps
https://www.starlux-airlines.com/zh-TW/experience/walk-into-starlux/first-class/a350-900
https://www.starlux-airlines.com/zh-TW/experience/walk-into-starlux/first-class/chauffeur-service
Apparently, starlux would continue to use its own lounge at TPE, chauffeur service only available at TPE to Greater Taipei Area.
Hey Ben! News just broke that the sale for the inaugural flight for this route goes on sale on 2/14, Valentine’s Day!
2-4-2 in Premium Eco sucks !
CI has it 2-3-2 in the same aircraft-type !
yes but also, CI's Premium Economy has one of the least comfortable seats i've been on. I'd take starlux's seat (or any of the like) any day over CI's.
Looking forward to this. I have taken the 321s and 330s on Business. The product is solid, but the team is very green, will be a learning process I guess. 1-2-1 on the 330 resulted in aisles that felt a bit too narrow, hope this is improved on the 350.
Really looking forward to this!
Prediction: Starlux’s next two routes will be to Vancouver and San Jose.
San Francisco is already mentioned as the second destination in all the local media multiple times from last year till now. scheduled to commence by the end of this year.
and also east coast in 2024.
That's interesting! I wonder if there's confirmation about that or if it's still just speculation at this point. I would like to see them fly to San Francisco and it would definitely make a lot of sense for them to serve the Bay Area. However, the reason I mentioned San Jose is that TPE-SFO would be too crowded of a market with CI 1x daily, EVA 3x daily, and United 1x daily and all of...
That's interesting! I wonder if there's confirmation about that or if it's still just speculation at this point. I would like to see them fly to San Francisco and it would definitely make a lot of sense for them to serve the Bay Area. However, the reason I mentioned San Jose is that TPE-SFO would be too crowded of a market with CI 1x daily, EVA 3x daily, and United 1x daily and all of them flying 77Ws so it's a bloodbath that an airline like Starlux might be wary of entering. I have a feeling that the fact that United is flying the route could be a deal-breaker for them. It's also the only nonstop between Taiwan and the United States flown by a US airline; all other US cities currently have either CI, EVA, or both so there's less competition. (I don't really understand why United bothers flying this route on their own metal when EVA Air is also in Star Alliance and Taipei is a questionable choice of destination for them to send their largest plane. that's for another discussion.) Also, it does appear like much of the Taiwanese population here is concentrated in the South Bay, particularly in cities like Cupertino, Milpitas, and Fremont, which would be easier served by SJC than SFO. Those people currently have to make a pretty long drive up to SFO. CI served ONT in addition to LAX for a similar reason. It's closer to the San Gabriel Valley, which I'm pretty sure has the largest Taiwanese community in North America by population. Plus SJC has seen quite a few Asian airlines fly there over the years so it's not unprecedented. Flying to San Jose is not how I want them to serve the Bay Area but I have a feeling that's how it's going to happen.
not only sfo is on sale, sea is next mid 2024. all the usual suspects. uninspiring but valid business decision. new york (airport unclear) 2025 the earliest cuz 350-1000 delivery dependant. and yvr depends on the traffic rights negotiation and allocation. again, all the usual and existing suspects.
Very keen to see how they differentiate the service between Business and First class. The seat difference isn't hugely different with a slightly higher door divider. On the ground, not much offerings that are different either.
As others have already pointed, CI and BR had first class cabins in the past. Starlux is definitely not the first to have first in Taiwan. I am also interested in how they will price their tickets.
Actually, EVA had first class before as well...
Starlux should partner with either One World or Alaska Airlines, which currently have no airlines to Taiwan. United partners with EVA Air and Delta with China Airlines.
Any update on the rumors they may join OneWorld??? Is Cathay Pacific still blocking them?
I sense the inaugural flight review coming soon. Likely from both directions.
"Starlux is the first airline in Taiwan to offer first class."
Nope. China Airlines flew First for many years.
Yup, came here to say the same thing. Perhaps "...is currently the only airline based in Taiwan to offer first class" would be more accurate.
They should do another round of Status Match, given aviation was pretty much dead for the last 2+ years.
Curious to see how the first class is priced and how the first class experience is delivered since the hard product is more of a business+ instead of first class. There is not even divider between business class and first class. In addition, their lounge in TPE is quite small and does not seem to be in the level of first class in any sense.
they were negotiating to lease former jal lounge in terminal 2 as of last fall. the long haul flights are going to operate out of terminal 2. probably by now "the new lounge" is a done deal and in progress. current lounge is in terminal 1.
Looking forward to a review in due course. Take First in one direction, Business on the return. Btw, have you tried EVAs business class on their 787? Maybe I missed it lol
I've done EVA business from NRT to TPE. It's a super solid product, and also upvoting to get Ben over there to take it. :)
Lucky did fly BR 787 a couple years ago VIE-BKK
https://onemileatatime.com/eva-air-787-business-class-review/
Well that answers it! Then I suggest he reviews China Airlines' A321neo as well as Korean's A321neo/787. Fortunately most if not all of Asia has reopened, so I'm sure it won't be difficult to all of the above in one trip. Back to China Airlines, curious to see what they come up with on their upcoming 787s.