If you’ve been watching Asia’s aviation scene over the past few years, you’ve likely heard of Starlux Airlines. Billed as “the Emirates of Taiwan,” Starlux promises a boutique, high-end flying experience in an industry dominated by scale and efficiency. As someone who’s flown with virtually every major premium airline in the world, from Singapore Airlines to Qatar Airways, I had to find out for myself: is Starlux truly premium, or just marketing gloss?
After multiple long-haul and regional flights in both Economy and Business Class, I’ve put Starlux through the same rigorous lens I use for all carriers. Here’s the unvarnished truth.
What Is Starlux Airlines Known For in the Aviation Industry?
Starlux Airlines, founded in 2018 by former EVA Air chairman Chang Kuo-wei, aims to restore glamour to commercial flying. The airline positions itself explicitly as a premium, boutique carrier. This is not a budget airline with optional add-ons. It’s a full-service airline that builds luxury into every layer, from its metallic liveries to the cabin fragrance.
Headquartered in Taipei, Starlux began operations in January 2020 and operates out of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). While many airlines cut back post-pandemic, Starlux expanded, adding long-haul routes like Taipei to Los Angeles and plans for San Francisco and Seattle by 2025.
Its stated mission is to compete not just in Asia but globally, against the likes of ANA, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines. The question is whether that ambition matches execution.
How Does Starlux Airlines Compare to Other Premium Carriers?
I compared Starlux to five main competitors: Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, ANA, and Cathay Pacific. On most soft product dimensions, Starlux holds its own or exceeds expectations.
| Feature | Starlux | Singapore Airlines | Qatar Airways | Emirates | ANA |
| Seat Comfort (J Class) | Excellent lie-flat, memory foam | Excellent | QSuite top-tier | Spacious but dated | High-quality |
| In-flight Dining | Michelin-curated menus | Very high-end | Arabic + Western fusion | Lavish but inconsistent | Refined Japanese meals |
| Crew Service | Personalized, attentive | Polished, polite | Culturally intuitive | Efficient | Formal |
| IFE (Entertainment) | Full 4K displays, Bluetooth | Strong selection | Custom content | Extensive library | Limited |
| On-Time Rating (2023) | 87% | 89% | 86% | 83% | 90% |
Starlux excels in seat design, food quality, and cabin aesthetics. Where it still lags slightly is brand recognition and frequent flyer program scale.
What Cabin Classes Does Starlux Airlines Offer?
Starlux currently offers three classes: Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class on its widebody A350s. Its narrowbody A321neo fleet offers only Economy and Business Class.
Business Class
- Seat Type: Collins Aerospace Elements Suite
- Configuration: 1-2-1
- Seat Width: 23 inches
- Bed Length: 78 inches (fully flat)
- Entertainment: 24-inch 4K display
- Unique Feature: Privacy door, zero-gravity seat setting
Premium Economy (A350 only)
- Seat Pitch: 40 inches
- Seat Width: 19 inches
- Recline: 8 inches
- Legrest: Adjustable with calf support
Economy Class
- Seat Pitch: 31–32 inches
- Seat Width: 18 inches
- Entertainment: 13-inch 4K display
- Extras: USB-C and USB-A ports, large tray table
Unlike many competitors, Starlux equips Economy Class with ultra-HD screens and mood lighting, making it feel elevated beyond the usual standard.
Is the Inflight Service on Starlux Airlines Truly Premium?
Yes. In my experience, Starlux’s inflight service ranks in the top 3 worldwide, and I say this having flown over 150 premium cabin flights in the past decade.
Here’s what stood out:
- Meal presentation resembled fine dining: real cutlery, plated courses, and dishes curated by Taiwanese chef Lam Ming Kin.
- Crew interactions were proactive, warm, and anticipatory, not just reactive.
- Uniforms, lighting, scent design (yes, custom Starlux fragrance), and audio branding are coordinated to feel seamless.
- Even the Economy service had thoughtful touches like refreshing towels before meal service.
I found this level of detail rare, even on airlines like Lufthansa or Air France.
What Are the Seat Features and Amenities in Each Cabin?
Business Class
- Fully lie-flat seats with privacy sliding door
- Wireless charging, USB-A, USB-C, universal AC outlet
- Bedding by luxury brand Ducky
- Amenity kit by Bamford: eye mask, socks, hand cream, lip balm
- Noise-canceling headphones with Bluetooth pairing
Premium Economy
- Dedicated cabin zone behind Business Class
- Footrests, recline function, and large tray tables
- Shared USB-C and AC outlets
- Smaller version of Business amenity kit on overnight flights
Economy Class
- Padded seats with generous 31–32-inch pitch
- Adjustable headrests, wide recline
- 13-inch screen with 4K quality and touchscreen control
- Slippers and earphones provided on long-haul flights
No matter the class, the quality of finish, like stitched leather, brushed metal trims, and LED paneling, makes Starlux cabins feel upscale.
How Does the Booking and Check-In Experience Compare?
Starlux’s website and mobile app are cleanly designed but lack some functionality. Modifying bookings or managing upgrades isn’t yet as seamless as Emirates or Delta. However:
- Check-in process is smooth, with priority lanes for Business and COSMILE elite members.
- Baggage allowances are generous (2x32kg for Business, 30kg for Economy).
- The COSMILE loyalty program is growing, though still limited in partners.
The Galactic Lounge in Taipei offers a modern aesthetic with good food and excellent shower suites, though it’s not yet comparable to Qatar’s Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha.
What Routes and Destinations Does Starlux Airlines Operate?
As of June 2025, Starlux operates flights to 23 destinations:
Long-Haul
- Taipei to Los Angeles
- Taipei to San Francisco (from July 2025)
- Taipei to Seattle (announced)
- Future Europe routes are under planning (expected 2026)
Regional Asia
- Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka
- Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur
- Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi
- Macau, Hong Kong, Da Nang
Fleet consists of A350-900 and A321neo aircraft, with A330neo under evaluation.
Starlux focuses on premium-heavy routes where service differentiation matters, especially to North Asia and the U.S. West Coast.
How Reliable and Safe Is Starlux Airlines?
Starlux has maintained an incident-free record since its launch. All aircraft are factory-new, and its average fleet age is under 2.8 years.
Safety and reliability metrics:
- IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certified since 2021
- FlightStats On-Time Performance (OTP): 87% in 2023
- Aircraft maintenance is performed under Taiwan CAA and EASA standards
The airline publishes fleet maintenance data quarterly, a transparency level I’ve only seen matched by ANA and Singapore Airlines.
What Do Real Customers Say About Flying Starlux?
Skytrax (2024)
- Business Class: 4.6/5
- Economy Class: 4.3/5
- Crew Friendliness: 4.8/5
Trustpilot
- 82% of reviews rated 4 stars or higher
- Positive mentions: “space”, “service”, “food quality”
- Complaints: “limited routes”, “hard-to-earn points”
Passenger Sentiment Summary
| Feature | Positive Mentions | Negative Mentions |
| Seats | 92% | 8% |
| Crew | 95% | 5% |
| Food | 87% | 13% |
| Value | 78% | 22% |
Sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with most negative reviews tied to growing pains, not quality.
Is Starlux Airlines Worth the Premium Fare?
For routes like Taipei–Los Angeles, I compared average fares:
- Starlux Business Class: $3,900
- EVA Air: $3,700
- Singapore Airlines: $4,100
- China Airlines: $3,100
Given its superior hard product, luxury-level soft product, and exceptional crew, I consider the price premium justifiable, especially on long-haul red-eye flights.
Where I wouldn’t necessarily choose Starlux is for short-haul hops under 3 hours, unless I need the luxury touch.
Who Should Consider Flying With Starlux Airlines?
I recommend Starlux for:
- Business travelers needing privacy, rest, and punctuality
- Luxury seekers who value service quality over brand fame
- Aviation enthusiasts wanting the newest hard product
- Travelers to/from Taiwan who want direct premium flights
Not ideal for:
- Price-sensitive flyers
- Travelers collecting alliance miles (Starlux is not yet in Star Alliance or Oneworld)
The airline still needs a broader frequent flyer ecosystem and more interline agreements, but it’s moving fast.
Final Verdict: Is Starlux Airlines Premium Enough?
Yes, Starlux Airlines delivers one of the best premium experiences in Asia-Pacific aviation today. It combines luxury design, stellar service, and a young, efficient fleet. While its route map is still growing, its execution is already world-class.
If you’re looking for a refined, comfortable, and detail-oriented flight, especially on East Asia to U.S. routes, Starlux is absolutely worth the fare. I expect it to become a serious competitor to airlines like Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Qatar in the next three years.