This article is about the current Taiwan-based airline company. For the defunct French airline, see XL Airways France. For the defunct Alaska-based airline, see Star Air Service.
Starlux Airlines (Chinese: 星宇航空; pinyin: Xīngyǔ Hángkōng; Wade–Giles: Hsingyü hangk'ung, styled STARLUX Airlines) is a Taiwanese full service carrier headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, which operated its first flight from Taipei to Macau on 23 January 2020.[3] Currently, it uses Taoyuan International Airport as its hub airport.[4]
History
The company name "STARLUX" is derived from the Chinese character "星宇," named by the founder Chang Kuo-wei [zh]. The character "星" (star) refers to his father, Chang Yung-fa, founder of the Evergreen Group, who used to navigate by looking at the stars before the advent of GPS. The character "宇" (universe) reflects Chang Kuo-wei's own aspirations. Together, these characters symbolize the company's hope to soar into the universe without limits.
The company was registered in 2016 with the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs. Chang Kuo-wei, the former chairman of Taiwanese airline EVA Air and the son of Evergreen's founder, confirmed the registration on 30 November 2016.[5] The airline registered with the Taiwanese Civil Aeronautics Administration in the first half of 2017,[6] and it was planned, in late 2016, that the airline would commence operations in 2018.[7] The Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs received the formal application for establishing the airline under the name "Starlux Airlines" on 22 May 2017.[8] In an interview in 2017, the airline was expected to start operations by the end of 2019,[9] though in January 2019, Chang stated that Starlux would launch in January 2020.[10]
In March 2019, Chang signed an order for 17 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, which was also the country's largest single Airbus purchase agreement.[citation needed] In September 2019, the airline announced the first destinations to be launched, consisting of Da Nang, Macau, and Penang to begin on 23 January 2020.[11] On 25 October 2019, the airline's first aircraft, an Airbus A321neo, was delivered from Hamburg, Germany, before the plane arrived at the airline's hub at Taoyuan International Airport on 29 October after making stops in Dubai and Bangkok.[12] On 10 December 2019, Starlux received its air operator's certificate (AOC) from the Taiwanese Civil Aeronautics Administration, followed by the formal opening of reservations on 16 December 2019 for the start of services the following month.[13][14]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on aviation, which began to occur within months of the airline's inauguration, Starlux announced the suspension of most of its services except to Da Nang.[15] Subsequently, in March 2020 the airline suspended all of its operations until 2 June 2020,[16] after which the airline resumed its three-weekly services to Macau.[17] Before the airline resumed service, it received clearance in May 2020 to begin services to Naha as its first destination in Japan, with a start date no earlier than 1 July, but the airline said that the timeline for Naha's service inauguration depended on the pandemic's developments.[18] Subsequently, due to the pandemic, the airline additionally delayed the launch of its Cebu services twice, and indefinitely postponed the launch of its services to Naha.[18]
In August 2022, Starlux announced its plan to expand its services to North America in April 2023 as the travel industry started to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with services to Indonesia in the future.[19] In September 2022, the airline announced its strategy to connect Southeast Asian cities to the U.S. via Taipei Taoyuan Airport.[20]
In February 2023, the airline confirmed its plans to introduce North American services, with regular flights to Los Angeles set for 26 April 2023, following the delivery of the first two Airbus A350s in October 2022.[21][22]
In March 2023, Starlux announced a multi-year sponsorship with the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers team. Starting from June 2023, Clipper-branded in-flight amenities will be available on the Starlux LAX - TPE route.[23]
In April 2023, Starlux announced a strategic partnership with Alaska Airlines, enabling travelers to earn rewards through the other airline's loyalty program and book connecting flights on a single ticket.[24] Both Starlux and Alaska Airlines expanded their partnership following US DOT's approval of codesharing in July 2024 and its first flight to Seattle in August 2024.[25][26] The airline partnered with Hong Kong Tramways in anticipation of its Taoyuan–Chek Lap Kok route in mid-July 2024.[27]
In December 2023, Starlux celebrated the opening of a new office in Taichung, with future plans to operate out of Taichung International Airport in the second quarter of 2024.[28]
On 14 June 2024, the founder and chairperson of Starlux Airlines, Chang Kuo-wei, confirmed that the airline had been pursuing Oneworld membership.[29][30] The airline has been a codeshare partner of Oneworld member Alaska Airlines since March 2023.[31][32][33] The CEO of Oneworld, Nat Pieper, played down the possibility of Starlux's membership.[34]Business Weekly, a local Taiwanese business magazine, indicate that Cathay Pacific, one of the founding members of Oneworld whose destinations overlaps with Starlux Airlines, is the main possible obstacle of its application.[35]
On 16 September 2024, Starlux announced that it plans to apply to join the Oneworld alliance by the end of 2025.[36]
Destinations
As of July 2024[update], Starlux Airlines flies (or has flown) to the following destinations:[37]
In March 2019, Starlux announced it would start operations for select destinations in Asia, and to Europe and North America. Its inaugural fleet consisted of 17 Airbus aircraft, which included five Airbus A350-900s and 12 Airbus A350-1000s. The airline later planned to add 10 Airbus A321neos to its fleet to serve their Asian routes.[77] In November 2019, Starlux decided to swap four Airbus A350-1000 orders to four A350-900s. Therefore, at the start of 2020, the orders stood at 9 A350-900s and 8 A350-1000s.[citation needed]
Starlux had also considered the addition of the Airbus A330neo to its fleet.[78] This was followed by the airline placing an order for 8 Airbus A330-900s, alongside three additional A321neos and one leased A350-900 to its order backlog on 10 September 2020.[72] Starlux also announced during September 2020 that its Airbus A350s would feature a first class cabin.[79]
As part of the plans, Starlux was to become the first Taiwanese airline to fly the Airbus A321neo, Airbus A330-900, and Airbus A350-1000,[12][80][72] but the remaining A350-1000 orders were later converted to the -900 variant instead.[citation needed] In October 2022, Starlux received their first Airbus A350-900 at Airbus Headquarters in Toulouse, France. Their chairman personally flew this aircraft back to Taiwan.[81] The airline became the first to take delivery of the next generation of Airbus A350 aircraft, which notably features wider cabins and electronically tinted windows by default.[82]
In late 2023, Starlux Airlines entered into a leasing agreement with Avolon Aerospace Leasing, an Irish lessor, acquiring three Airbus A330-900 aircraft, according to a filing submitted to the Taiwan stock exchange.
The STARLUX A330neo (B-58303) was featured in the Airbus static display during the 2024 Singapore Airshow.
During the 2024 Singapore Airshow, Starlux finalised a deal to buy three additional A330neo aircraft and five new A350Fs (with options of five more A350F), marking its first purchase of freighters for the Starlux Cargo Division. In addition, Starlux opted to revert the purchase order from 2020 to acquire eight A350-1000 aircraft for routes serving the east coast of the United States, as confirmed by Airbus Orders and Deliveries in January 2024.[citation needed]
In light of the increasing travel demands observed within the geographical regions of Japan and Southeast Asia, Starlux has introduced strategic modifications to its aircraft leasing arrangements from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). Initially scheduled to acquire eight A330-900 aircraft in the year 2020, the company has chosen to amend this arrangement in response to unanticipated delivery delays. As a result, the revised agreement, effective as of May 22, 2024, involves the acquisition of five A330-900 aircraft alongside a supplementary allocation of six A321neo aircraft.[69]
In-flight entertainment (IFE) is provided through seatback touchscreen systems, which are equipped with a USB power port and contain a selection of audio and video on demand (AVOD), as well as a live position mapping system. Starlux commissioned smooth jazz guitarist Peter White to provide a soundtrack for the entertainment system, which was commercially released on 29 November 2019 as Music for Starlux Airlines.[83] The airline also offers in-flight internet access through satellite Wi-Fi.[84] All passengers have access to an inflight meal preorder service, where specific dishes can be preordered in advance.[85]
First class
First class is offered only on Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with cabins featuring four seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. The seats can be converted into a fully lie-flat setting and features a door along with a 60-inch (152 cm) high partition.[86] The seats include a personal mini-bar along with a 32 in (81.3 cm) video screen and a personal wardrobe.[87] The cabin notably features no bulkhead separation with the business class cabin behind.[88] First Class passengers departing from Taoyuan Airport are chauffeured to and accommodated by the Huan Yu VIP Terminal.[89][90]
Business class
Starlux's Airbus A321neo business class cabin configuration
The Airbus A350-900 business class cabin features 26 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration that can be converted into a fully flat bed. The seats each features a 48.5 inch (123.2 cm) door and partition and are individually equipped with a 24-inch (61 cm) video screen.[87][88]
On the Airbus A330-900, the business class cabin features 28 Safran Skylounge Core seats configured in a 1-2-1 seating layout.[91] The seats can be converted into fully flat beds and are each equipped with a 17.3 in (44 cm) 4K IFE touchscreen.[74]
The Airbus A321neo business class cabin has eight Collins Diamond seats in a 2-2 configuration. The seats are 20.19 inches (51.3 cm) wide and can be converted into a 82 in (210 cm) fully flat bed, featuring a 15.6 in (40 cm) IFE touchscreen.
Wi-Fi internet access, meals, refreshments, and amenities including noise-cancelling headphones and blankets are provided complimentary to all business class passengers.[84][92]
Premium Economy class
Premium economy class is offered only on the Airbus A350-900, featuring 36 Recaro PL3530 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration.[82] The seats feature a 40-inch (101.6 cm) pitch and are individually equipped with calf rests and footrests, along with a 15.6-inch (39.6 cm) IFE touchscreen monitors.[86]
Economy class
Starlux's Airbus A321neo economy class cabin configuration
Starlux's Airbus A350-900 economy class cabin configuration
A Starlux short-haul economy class in-flight meal
The Airbus A350-900 and the Airbus A330-900 shares a similar economy class cabin featuring Recaro 3710 seats in a 3-3-3 and 2-4-2 configuration, respectively. The seats are each equipped with a 13-inch (33 cm) IFE touchscreen monitor.[93]
On the A321neo, the economy class cabin has 180 seats in a 3-3 configuration. The seats are 18.36 inches (46.6 cm) wide, each with a 10.1 in (26 cm) IFE touchscreen and fitted with a leather headrest. Meals and some amenities such as pillows and headsets are complimentary, whereas Wi-Fi internet access is provided to all economy class passengers free of charge (albeit restricted to in-flight messaging) with increased bandwidth and faster connection speeds available for an additional fee.[84][92]
^"星宇航空23日開航 下半年擬開日本航線" [Starlux Airlines to launch flights on 23 January, plans to open Japan routes in six months]. Central News Agency (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 中央社. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
^陳煜 (30 November 2016). "王子復仇記？張國煒將創「星宇航空」再戰航空業" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 風傳媒. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
^王子復仇記？張國煒籌設星宇航空 長榮：會很辛苦 [Revenge? Jeremy Duong prepares to establish Starlux Airlines; EVA says it will be difficult]. ETToday (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 30 November 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
^汪, 淑芬 (23 May 2017). 星宇航英文名Starlux天空閃亮豪華一顆星 [The English name of Xingyuhang is Starlux. A shining star in the sky.] (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Central News Agency. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
^ abc"擴大航網迎商機 星宇航再租6架客機機" [Starlux convert three A330-900neo to six A321neo due to forecasted delivery delays]. Yahoo News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
^ abcd"【獨家】疫情影響A350購機延後！星宇另租8架A330-900neo 明年第4季起交機" [(Exclusive) Pandemic delays A350 purchase! Starlux leases 8 A330-900neo, to be delivered in the fourth quarter of next year]. Apple News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 10 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
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