Cover Photo: Starlux Airlines
Photo: Starlux Airlines
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Following the announcement of Starlux Airline’s new routes from Taipei to Hong Kong and Phu Quoc, here’s everything you need to know about the luxury Taiwanese airline
This month, boutique Taiwanese airline Starlux Airlinescommenced two new routes out of Taipei, including a daily service to Vietnamese island Phu Quoc, and two daily flights from Taipei to Hong Kong.
With the rise of no-frills airlines that offer little more than getting from A to B, major airlines squeezing every penny they can from passengers and seats that seem to be shrinking by the year—Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines is going against the current.
The independently-owned luxury airline takes a no-expenses-spared and no-detail-overlooked approach to its passengers’ inflight experience—so much so that it’s been dubbed “the Emirates of Asia” by aviation enthusiasts.
Different by Design
BMW Designworks is behind Starlux Airlines’s sleek interior design, which is defined by elegant grey and earth tones, and brushed aluminium. Its four-cabin Airbus A350-900 features four seats in first class, 26 in business, 36 in premium economy, and 240 in economy.
Passengers in business class are treated to Element Suites—a new-to-market design by Collins Aerospace, which is behind the “Super Diamond” seats found on airlines such as British Airways and Qatar Airways. Starlux Airline's Element suites feature a more spacious footwall, ample storage and upgraded tech, including a wireless charging pad and a 24-inch screen with Bluetooth capabilities, so you can use your AirPods or wireless headphones to watch movies.
There’s also a massager and unique “Zero-G” seat function that gently adjusts passengers’s posture so their chest and feet are aligned - a feature intended to promote better sleep and minimise discomfort after long-haul flights.
It also has customised on board lighting based on the time of the year, with three modes that include Chinese New Year, White Christmas and Moon Festival.
Fun fact: The airline even has its own signature scent. Taiwanese perfumer, P. Seven, created a custom fragrance called “Home in the Air” which wafts through the cabin.
Business class on board Starlux Airlines (Photo: Starlux Airlines)
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Runs in the Family
Starlux Airlines founder Chang Kuo-wei is the former chairman of Eva Air, Taiwan’s flag carrier, which his late father Chang Yung-fa founded. When Yung-fa passed in 2016, Kuo-wei was essentially pushed out of the family business.
As they say, you can't keep a good man down, and two years later in 2018, Kuo-wei founded Starlux Airlines. Its first flight took off in January 2020—marking a rough start for reasons that need not be explained.
Now back on its feet (or should we say, up in the air) Starlux has travellers and aviation geeks abuzz with its unique product and exciting routes.
Beyond being Starlux Airline's founder, Kuo-wei is also a decorated pilot who holds the rank of captain for the Airbus A350 aircraft. In fact, Kuo-wei piloted Starlux Airline’s inaugural flight from Taipei to Los Angeles in April 2023—a route that marked a significant milestone for the airline.
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
