- Introduction: An Overdue Trip To Kyoto
- Review: JetBlue Mint Business Class A321 (MIA-LAX)
- Review: Four Seasons Los Angeles At Beverly Hills
- Review: Starlux Airlines Business Class Airbus A350 (LAX-TPE)
- Review: Starlux Airlines Lounge Taipei Airport (TPE)
- Review: Starlux Airlines Business Class Airbus A330neo (TPE-KIX)
- Review: Park Hyatt Kyoto, Japan
- Review: Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, Japan
- Review: Four Seasons Kyoto, Japan
- Review: Shisui Nara, Marriott Luxury Collection
- Impressions From Our Trip To Kyoto, Japan
- Review: Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge Kansai Osaka Airport (KIX)
- Review: Japan Airlines Business Class Boeing 787 (KIX-LAX)
- Review: American Airlines Business Class Boeing 787 (LAX-MIA)
For our trip to Kyoto, we had a nearly three hour layover at Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE), after landing from Los Angeles in Starlux’s A350-900 business class, and prior to connecting to Osaka in Starlux’s A330-900neo business class.
We spent most of our transit in the Starlux Airlines Galatic Lounge, which is the carrier’s only lounge. The lounge has nice decor and a pretty decent selection of food and drinks. However, the space is tiny, it doesn’t have showers or even bathrooms, and it’s not even open in the evenings, prior to Starlux’s long haul flights from Taipei.
I understand the problem Starlux has — it’s a new airline, and securing lounge space at a crowded, existing airport can be tough. So I absolutely believe that Starlux just hasn’t been able to secure more lounge space. Still, this whole setup is kind of disappointing from a passenger experience standpoint. Let’s get into the review.
In this post:
Starlux Airlines Lounge Taipei location
Our flight from Los Angeles arrived at Terminal 2 at Taipei Taoyuan Airport, while our flight to Osaka departed from Terminal 1. On the plus side, there was no transit security when arriving from the United States, so we were immediately in the departures terminal. However, that’s where the easy part of this transit ended.
Even though Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 are connected airside, I found the signage in the terminal to be horrible. A Starlux representative who met the flight informed us that we had to go to Terminal 1, with no further explanation. We figured it would be easy enough to navigate there on our own, though that was a bad assumption. A vast majority of the signage in the terminal only referenced gate areas associated with certain letters, rather than terminal numbers.
Furthermore, the signage for the Starlux Lounge is also lacking. We finally found the lounge area around 40 minutes after getting off our flight from Los Angeles. It’s entirely possible we were just exhausted and weren’t paying attention properly, but I was confused, and I’m not exactly an airport rookie.
Anyway, the Starlux Airlines Galactic Lounge Taipei is located in the same area as the China Airlines Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Cathay Pacific Lounge, near the B and C gate areas.
The lounges are one level up from the main terminal concourse, and you can either take stairs or an elevator.
Note that if your travels are originating in Taipei, it’s much easier to find this lounge. When you pass security you can either turn left or right and walk down the hall, and then the stairs and elevators leading to the lounge are along the center of the terminal on level four, not far away.
Starlux Airlines Lounge Taipei hours
The Starlux Airlines Galactic Lounge Taipei is currently open daily from 5AM until 7PM. This covers all of Starlux’s morning, afternoon, and evening flights, though it doesn’t cover Starlux’s nighttime flights to the United States, which depart around midnight.
Why isn’t the lounge open then? Well, Starlux’s flights to the United States depart from Terminal 2, so at that time passengers are instead sent to the Orient Club Lounge Terminal 2. Being sent to a contract lounge when flying out of a carrier’s hub on a flagship route isn’t exactly a great experience, but again, I understand the logistical challenges. For that matter, using the carrier’s own lounge isn’t a great experience either. 😉
Starlux Airlines Lounge Taipei entry requirements
Who can access the Starlux Airlines Galactic Lounge Taipei? For one, the lounge is open to all Starlux business class passengers, with no guests being allowed. On top of that, elite members in the Starlux COSMILE frequent flyer program also get lounge access — Explorer members can bring one guest, while Insighter members can bring two guests.
Starlux Airlines Lounge Taipei seating & layout
The Starlux Airlines Galactic Lounge Taipei is really small. I’d estimate that the seating is maybe a couple of thousand square feet, and that it can accommodate around three dozen people.
The lounge consists of a few seating options, all of which are quite stylish. In the center of the lounge there are seating arrangements that are sort of like couches, which each seat two to four people.
Then along the interior wall of the lounge are half a dozen curved chairs, which I’d consider to be the most comfortable seating options in the lounge.
Then in the back corner of the lounge there are a dozen additional chairs, arranged in two rows, with each pair of seats having a coffee table.
That’s the extent of the lounge. As you can see, it’s pretty stylish, but it doesn’t exactly have a whole lot of amenities. As you’d expect, crowding can become a major issue here, and this will only get worse as the airline continues to grow. Thank goodness our flight was mostly empty, because a full business class cabin on a single flight could almost fill up this lounge.
Starlux Airlines Lounge Taipei food & drinks
The Starlux Airlines Galactic Lounge has both a buffet and a small menu you can order off of. I’d say the options are pretty high quality, though not necessarily that substantial.
The buffet consists of an “L” shaped counter, plus an island. Since we were there early in the morning, there was a breakfast selection available.
Cold options included several types of salad (fruit salad, a beet salad, lettuce, etc.), pastries and bread, ice cream from NINAO, and some desserts from SEASON (both local brands, which Starlux is great at highlighting).
There were also half a dozen hot options, including winter melon and pork soup, bacon, chicken sausage, dumplings, boiled tea eggs, and taro-flavored piggy buns.
As far as drinks go, the buffet had a coffee machine, Twinings, beer, and a small selection of wine and liquor.
At first I was amused how the coffee machine indicated that the coffee blend was a “limited VIP” one, but I’ve gotta say, the coffee was surprisingly great.
I was really impressed by the fridge that had non-alcoholic drinks, ranging from iced tea, to several juices, and even Evian and San Pellegrino.
Then there was the small a la carte selection, which you can find below. This is presented as soon as you walk into the lounge. It had three options, including the fuhang soy milk set, a bagel with egg and bacon, and then ramen.
Look, I totally get that pork is really popular in Taiwan in general, but couldn’t the airline try to provide an alternative? I mean, you’re excluding two major religious groups, plus me (not religious, I just think pigs are smart and cute, and I don’t want to eat them). You have the options of pork, pork, or… pork. I love how the menu lists the symbol for a vegetarian dish, but it’s jut not used anywhere.
When I asked if they had any non-pork options, they explained that they could make the bagel without pork. So I ordered that, not because I was hungry, but for a picture. It was nicely presented, but it wasn’t actually great.
I met a kind reader who was on both of our flights, and he let me take a picture of his ramen, for those who are curious what it looks like.
I also couldn’t help but eat one of the taro buns. Ironically one of the few things that doesn’t contain pork is still made to look like a pig… lol.
Mainly I just enjoyed the drink selection, including some water, a delicious tea, and some great coffee.
You know what the problem is when you hydrate, though? You’ve gotta go to the bathroom. And that brings me to the next issue with this lounge…
Starlux Airlines Lounge Taipei bathrooms & showers
The Starlux Airlines Galactic Lounge Taipei doesn’t have bathrooms. I’m sure the airline would love to provide bathrooms, but again, I recognize space is limited, and it’s hard to be a startup airline in an already crowded airport.
There are some bathrooms adjacent to the lounge, which are open to the public.
They were located down a hallway, and there was a line to use them when I visited.
The bathrooms weren’t at all in good condition, and there wasn’t even soap or paper towels in the bathroom.
There were also showers, I guess, but… I’d probably feel dirtier after showering, so I don’t recommend this.
Bottom line
The Starlux Galactic Lounge Taipei Airport leaves a lot to be desired. On the plus side, the lounge has a fairly stylish design, a good drink selection, and a modest selection of both buffet and a la carte dining. The catch is that the lounge is very small, and doesn’t even have bathrooms. Furthermore, if you’re flying Starlux in the evening on a US-bound flight, you won’t even use this lounge, as you’re instead sent to a contract lounge in Terminal 2 (which maybe at least has bathrooms?).
I understand this is all just a function of lack of available lounge space at the airport, but this isn’t the most premium ground experience. I’m curious what Starlux does as it continues to grow, because this lounge basically has enough space to accommodate the business class passengers on a single, full wide body flight.
What do you make of the Starlux Airlines Galactic Lounge Taipei?
Ben, FYI, the rest area adjacent to the Galactic Lounge used to be one of two Cathay Pacific Lounges before COVID-19 as far as I can remember.
Came here to write that I also share the same sentiment as Ben for choosing not to eat pork and how happy to hear that I am not alone in that regard. On that note have you ever gone to the pig cafe in Tokyo?
JX are currently building a T2 TPE lounge so hopefully that will address some of the issues for USA, Thailand, and Singapore bound pax in T2. The lounge will be located in the space formerly occupied by the now-shuttered Sakura Lounge.
JX have run into construction issues with the airport authority however - their contractor inadvertently cut into some building fire protection, construction has paused temporarily as of July, and the airport authority may require...
JX are currently building a T2 TPE lounge so hopefully that will address some of the issues for USA, Thailand, and Singapore bound pax in T2. The lounge will be located in the space formerly occupied by the now-shuttered Sakura Lounge.
JX have run into construction issues with the airport authority however - their contractor inadvertently cut into some building fire protection, construction has paused temporarily as of July, and the airport authority may require new permits to be issued / designs to be further reviewed.
Source: this Chinese-language article in the United Daily News (UDN), a large newspaper in Taiwan:
https://udn.com/news/story/7266/7275232
I'm honestly surprised that there were no real vegetarian meal options. Taiwan has some of the most amazing vegetarian restaurants and has one of the largest vegetarian shares of its population in the world (after India, of course). Overall, understanding the space constraint, it just feels strange that an airline so focused on a "luxury experience" would have such an underwhelming lounge. I'm not really sold on how this is that much better than China Airlines.
I agree that there should be non-pork options as well. For people who are vegetarians or just don't feel like eating meat at this moment. But certainly not because it offends some people who in the year 2023 still believe some fairytale geriatric in the sky will throw down punishment on them for eating it. Absolutely ridiculous.
I was just there yesterday. I was not impressed at all. After about half hour I went to the plaza premium lounge nearby which was much nicer.
This is insane. This blog is miles and points. Sadly it has been put on hatred and politics. Leave it out. Freedom of speech is fantastic, but not when it is being said negatively. And the author allows it because capitalism. I’m a Delta 360 and United GS. I pay for my first class seats. But over last few week reading comments are distracting and disappointing.
“ Freedom of speech is fantastic, but not when it is being said negatively.”
Congrats on the absolute dumbest take I’ve read all year. That takes effort. Of course you’re from Florida.
Ben I didn’t get a chance to read the Starlux flight review because the website kept crashing. I wonder what their champagne , wine , and alcohol offerings were.
I was in Japan and LA around the same time you were. Last summer we were in Milan around the same time hehe
Just curious if I'm arriving in taipei starlux business and connecting onwards on a different airline, would i still be able to access the starlux lounge upon arrival?
Thanks.
No as it’s for departures for Starlux passengers. You have to use the lounge of the airline you’re travelling/ departing with.
Oh yes, the famed Pocari Sweat. Perfect refreshing beverage for the hot and humid Pacific Asian climate. I always wondered how many Pocari’s they have to chase around to collect enough sweat to fill one of those cans.
Now I don't feel so bad about having to cancel my Starlux J booking.
Crap airline since joining the Sky Team - will refute the concept of flying with them again
Tom
Starlux aren’t in SkyTeam nor any other alliance. China Airlines is a member and they have a great business class product, which I doubt you’ve ever travelled in.
Whole lot of comments about a persons’ dietary interests.
To each their own. What’s complicated about that to comprehend?
We were there last Sunday, departing Taipei for Penang, and enjoyed the friendly service, ramen, and pineapple cakes very much. The lounge is comically small but a pleasant place to hang out for a couple of hours.
It all sounds very Taiwanese to me. I went to Taipei for the first time last summer, and expected some Singapore/HK international city vibes, but what I got was just your average Chinese megacity, with all the good and bad that comes with it. Not at all surprised to hear about strange signage or unconventional buffet spreads. That's just how it is, all very very non-Western, and not always in a positive way.
Daniel - expecting Taipei to look and feel like Singapore is a little unrealistic.
" all very very non-Western, and not always in a positive way" - so basically you are saying that travel comes with new experiences. Some great, some not so great. So?
Nah. I realise my expectations were all wrong, and obviously that's on me. Had I known what it was like, I would have gone somewhere else.
But Taipei did not really come with any new experiences and that's the problem. Just another Chinese megacity, like I said. I was disappointed. Although I did have a laugh at my 5-star hotel's attempt at Western breakfast items. Spaghetti Carbonara or Beef Burgundy at 6 am, why not...
Nah. I realise my expectations were all wrong, and obviously that's on me. Had I known what it was like, I would have gone somewhere else.
But Taipei did not really come with any new experiences and that's the problem. Just another Chinese megacity, like I said. I was disappointed. Although I did have a laugh at my 5-star hotel's attempt at Western breakfast items. Spaghetti Carbonara or Beef Burgundy at 6 am, why not :D The Chinese (Taiwanese) alternatives were nice, though.
The worst part is that they don't have a lounge in terminal 2, which is where their long haul flights to the US depart from! I learned that the hard way a few days ago, where we did the reverse trip from t1 to t2 (and also found the signage to be just awful). I was expecting to find a Galactic lounge there and nothing, so literally had to go to Starlux website to figure out which lounge they use. They use Oriental lounge, a typical average Priority Pass lounge.
Literally all of this is already detailed in the article.
They are really a small niche airline with just 2 flights a day to the US ( 3 if you include Guam). I doubt they would have lounge built to open just a few hours a day.
Given these factors, do you think the lounge's offerings justify its use during a layover, especially for those traveling on long-haul flights who might need more comfort and facilities?
They should fix the menu to state correct serving size "Half bagel"
You don't eat pork because pigs are cute but you feel comfortable eating other animals like cows and sheep? I don't see the consistency of your logic.
@ Bruce -- Well, I actually don't eat lamb either. And I only ever rarely eat beef. I think that's besides the point here, though? I'm not trying to convert anyone into my eating style, and I'm not claiming to be 100% consistent in my logic (I think it's easy to pick apart anyone's logic when it comes to their personal habits). I'm just saying that it would be nice to have non-pork options, and billions of people agree with me.
Totally with you on this, Ben. Our food choices are a personal thing, often not just about logic but about what feels right for us. It's like picking a favorite movie or song - it doesn't have to make sense to everyone. And asking for more variety, like non-pork options, just makes sense in our diverse world. It's all about having choices that suit everyone's taste. At the end of the day, it's about enjoying our meal and respecting others' choices, right?"
Why does he have to be consistent? I don't go hunting because I don't want to shoot animals, but I eat meat. He is entitled to his tastes.
Some people don’t eat pork for religious reasons. Do you eat dog or cat, because by your logic… oh wait.
It's personal taste... Who cares even if he only wants to eat pork on the first Monday of every odd-numbered month but not in November?
The point is there should be reasonable accommodation for certain common diets. Even a vegan one would satisfy a lot of people who can't do one meat or another.
Pork is pretty important to the East Asian diet. And it's delicious.
@ David -- For sure, I'm not saying anything should change about that. I'm just saying there are also billions of people who don't eat pork, so it would be nice to have some more options for them as well.
Likewise, increasingly more places are deleting meat options on menus for all vegan or vegetarian items, just as bad IMO. Give something for everyone. I’m a meat eater and Vegan is a non option for me.
Just eat the Vegan. Problem solved.
@Larry - Would you tell a Vegan to eat the meat? Would you tell a Muslim to eat pork? Why would you suggest that I eat plants!? I have no problem with the plant based eaters, just don’t force those choices on me.
@Donna
I think you missed his joke. He's telling you to eat the vegan, not eat vegan.
Yes Donna, you must be well informed. Check how all the companies that thought plant-based meat would be the future are doing financially. Deleting meat options will never be a reality. There will be both options as always but meat, chicken, pork, lamb consumption keeps going up.
According to OECD/FAO, people in Vietnam, Korea and China are consuming most pork meat per capita - around 30 kgs per year. No separate stats on Taiwan but I think largely follows trend. On average, chicken is most consumed (around 15kgs per year, per capita).