STARLUX Airlines
星宇航空
IATA ICAO Callsign
JX SJX STARWALKER
Founded2 May 2018 (2018-05-02)
Commenced operations23 January 2020 (2020-01-23)
AOC #SJX-01[1]
HubsTaoyuan International Airport
Frequent-flyer programCOSMILE
Fleet size21
Destinations23[2]
Traded asTPEx: 2646
Headquarters15th Floor, Unit Number 382, Section 6, Nanjing East Road, Neihu, Taipei, Taiwan 11470
Key people
Operating incomeDecrease -NT$4.04 billion (2021)
Total assetsNT$12.26 billion (2019)[1]
Total equityNT$4.58 billion (2019)[1]
Employees4,086 (As of 21 December 2023)
Websitewww.starlux-airlines.com

STARLUX Airlines (Chinese: 星宇航空; pinyin: Xīngyǔ Hángkōng; Wade–Giles: Hsingyu Hangk'ong) is a Taiwanese international airline company headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, and operated its first flight from Taipei to Macau on 23 January 2020.[3]

History

The company was registered in 2016 with the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs.[4] This was confirmed by Chang Kuo-wei on 30 November 2016, who was formerly the chairman of Taiwanese airline EVA Air and the son of Evergreen's founder Chang Yung-fa.[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 Airlines 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.[4] 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, however the airline said that the timeline for Naha's service inauguration was dependent 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]

Starlux Airlines Headquarters in Taoyuan, Taiwan

In August 2022, Starlux announced its plan to expand its services to North America in April 2023 as the travel industry starts 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 America 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, which enables travelers to earn rewards through the other airline's loyalty program and book connecting flights on a single ticket.[24]

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.[25]

Destinations

As of November 2023, Starlux Airlines operates or has operated to the following destinations:[26]

Country/Territory City Airport Notes Ref
GuamHagåtñaAntonio B. Won Pat International AirportCharter[27]
JapanFukuokaFukuoka Airport[28]
Hakodate Hakodate Airport Begins 1 February 2024 [29]
KumamotoKumamoto Airport[30]
NagoyaChubu Centrair International Airport[31]
OkinawaNaha Airport
OsakaKansai International Airport[32]
SapporoNew Chitose Airport
SendaiSendai Airport[33]
TakamatsuTakamatsu AirportCharter Begins 31 March 2024[34]
TokyoNarita International Airport[32]
MacauMacauMacau International Airport[35][36]
MalaysiaKuala LumpurKuala Lumpur International Airport[37][38]
PenangPenang International Airport[39][35][36]
PhilippinesCebuMactan–Cebu International Airport[40]
ClarkClark International Airport[41]
ManilaNinoy Aquino International Airport[42]
SingaporeSingaporeChangi Airport[43][44][45]
TaiwanTaipeiTaoyuan International AirportHub[39]
TaichungTaichung International AirportBegins 31 March 2024[46]
ThailandBangkokSuvarnabhumi Airport[32]
Chiang MaiChiang Mai International AirportBegins 18 January 2024[47]
United StatesLos AngelesLos Angeles International Airport[48]
San FranciscoSan Francisco International Airport[31]
VietnamDa NangDa Nang International Airport[39][35]
HanoiNoi Bai International Airport[49]
Ho Chi Minh CityTan Son Nhat International Airport[50]

Fleet

As of October 2023, Starlux Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet composed of the following aircraft:

Starlux Airlines fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes References
F J W Y Total
Airbus A321neo 13 — — 8 — 180 188 [51][39][52][53]
Airbus A330-900 4 4 — 28 — 269 297 [53][54][55]
Airbus A350-900 4 14 4 26 36 240 306 Deliveries from 2022.[56] [57]
Total 21 18

Fleet development

In March 2019, Starlux announced it would start operations with 17 Airbus aircraft, consisting of 5 Airbus A350-900s and 12 Airbus A350-1000s for routes to Europe & North America as well as selected Asian destinations. The airline later planned to add 10 Airbus A321neos to its fleet to serve their Asian routes.[58] 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.[59]

Starlux had also considered the addition of the Airbus A330neo to its fleet.[60] 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.[53] Starlux also announced during September 2020 that its Airbus A350s would feature a first class cabin.[61]

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][62][53] however the remaining A350-1000 orders were later converted to the -900 variant instead.[63] In October 2022, Starlux received their first Airbus A350-900 at Airbus Headquarters in Toulouse, France. Their CEO personally flew this aircraft back to Taiwan.[64] 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.[65]

Cabins and services

In-flight entertainment

A Starlux short-haul economy class in-flight meal

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.[66] The airline also offers in-flight internet access through satellite Wi-Fi.[67] All passengers have access to an inflight meal preorder service, where specific dishes can be preordered in advance.[68]

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.[69] The seats include a personal mini-bar along with a 32 in (81.3 cm) video screen and a personal wardrobe.[70] The cabin notably features no bulkhead separation with the business class cabin behind.[71] First Class passengers departing from Taoyuan Airport are chauffeured to and accommodated by the Huan Yu VIP Terminal.[72][73]

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.[70][71]

On the Airbus A330-900, the business class cabin features 28 Safran Skylounge Core seats configured in a 1-2-1 seating layout.[74] The seats can be converted into fully flat beds and are each equipped with a 17.3 in (44 cm) 4K IFE touchscreen.[55]

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.[67][75]

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.[65] 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.[69]

Economy class

Starlux's Airbus A321neo economy class cabin configuration.

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.[76]

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.[67][75]

Financial and operational statistics

Starlux's financial results are shown below:

2018 2019 2020 2021[77] 2022[77]
Operating revenue (NT$ billion) — 0.010 0.391 0.795 3.362
Net profit (NT$ Billion) −0.39 −1.14 −2.60 −3.01 −5.27
Total assets (NT$ billion) 5.69 12.26 18.15 24.39 57.08
Total liabilities (NT$ billion) 0.07 7.68 13.68 19.95 51.18
Total equity (NT$ billion) 5.61 4.58 4.47 4.43 5.90
Available seat kilometres (ASK) ('000) — — — 840,925 2,074,087
Revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) ('000) — — — 65,076 726,369
Passenger load factor (%) — — — 7.74 35.02
Fleet size (at year end) 0 2 5 6 18
Number of employees (at year end) — — — 1,346 2,528

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Starlux Airlines Co., Ltd. - Exemption/Foreign Air Carrier Permit - Taiwan-U.S." United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. ↑ "Starlux Airlines on ch-aviation". ch-aviation. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. 1 2 Bailey, Joanna (19 March 2019). "Brand New Airline Starlux Orders 17 Airbus A350 Aircraft". Simple Flying. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  5. ↑ Cummins, Nicholas (17 July 2018). "This Unknown Airline Has Just Ordered 17 A350's". Simple Flying.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "Former EVA chairman plans new airline". Taiwan News. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Tan, Jason (4 October 2017). "Ousted EVA Airways chairman retaliates with new airline". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  10. ↑ Wang, Shu-fen; Huang, Frances (16 January 2019). "StarLux Airlines be launched in January 2020: founder". Central News Agency. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  11. ↑ Anderson, Zaref (10 September 2019). "Starlux Airlines Plans Launch". Aeronautics. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  12. 1 2 Sander, Daniel (28 October 2019). "STARLUX Receives Maiden Aircraft Ahead of 2020 Launch". Airways Magazine. Airways International, Inc. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  13. ↑ Chen, Jackie (11 December 2019). "Taiwanese start-up Starlux Airlines has been approved to fly". Business Traveller. Panacea Media Limited. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  14. ↑ Yu, Hsiao-han; Huang, Frances (13 December 2019). "StarLux Airlines to start selling tickets next week". Central News Agency. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  15. ↑ "Taiwan's StarLux Airlines to suspend Penang flights amid coronavirus outbreak". Taiwan News. 4 March 2020.
  16. ↑ Schlappig, Ben (18 March 2020). "Starlux Airlines Suspends Operations". One Mile At a Time. PointsPros, Inc.
  17. ↑ Kao, Shih-ching (16 May 2020). "StarLux to resume limited operations next month". The Taipei Times.
  18. 1 2 "StarLux delays launch of Cebu flights due to COVID-19". Focus Taiwan. 11 June 2020.
  19. ↑ ETtoday新聞雲. "星宇航空9月30日正式掛牌 公司看好印尼、泰國等沒有北美直飛航班市場 | ETtoday財經雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". finance.ettoday.net (in Chinese). Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  20. ↑ ETtoday新聞雲. "東南亞多國飛北美要多４-5小時航程因此缺直飛航班 有利星宇發展轉機業務 | ETtoday財經雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". finance.ettoday.net (in Chinese). Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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  22. ↑ "STARLUX takes delivery of first A350". Airbus. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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  24. ↑ "STARLUX Airlines Announces First Airline Partner — Inks Strategic Partnership with Alaska Airlines [u]". YahooFinance. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
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  30. ↑ Liu, Jim (29 May 2023). "Starlux Airlines plans Taipei - Kumamoto launch in Sep 2023". Aeroroutes.
  31. 1 2 Liu, Jim. "Starlux Airlines NW23 service changes: San Francisco Dec 2023 launch". AeroRoutes. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  32. 1 2 3 Liu, Jim (26 October 2020). "Starlux Airlines schedules network expansion in Dec 2020". Routesonline. Informa Markets.
  33. ↑ Liu, Jim (9 January 2023). "Starlux Airlines schedules Sendai launch in 2Q23". AeroRoutes.
  34. ↑ "STARLUX FILES TAICHUNG – MACAU NS24 SCHEDULE – 24DEC23". AeroRoutes. 28 December 2023.
  35. 1 2 3 Liu, Jim (18 March 2020). "Starlux Airlines suspends operation 21Mar20 – 30Apr20". Routesonline. Informa Markets.
  36. 1 2 Liu, Jim (15 May 2020). "Starlux Airlines outlines reduced operation in June 2020". Routesonline. Informa Markets.
  37. ↑ "Starlux will expand network to Kuala Lumpur!". Starlux Airlines (Press release). 27 November 2020.
  38. ↑ "Taiwan's StarLux launch flights to Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 5". Taiwan News. 28 November 2020.
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  40. ↑ "Starlux Airlines NW23 Philippines service adjustment – 13Oct22". AeroRoutes. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
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  50. ↑ "Starlux will expand network to Ho Chi Minh City!". Starlux Airlines (Press release). 24 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
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  53. 1 2 3 4 "【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.
  54. ↑ David Flynn (22 September 2021). "Starlux sets February 2022 for first Airbus A330neo delivery". Executive Traveller.
  55. 1 2 "STARLUX Takes Delivery of First A330neo B-58301". CAPA - Centre For Aviation. 18 February 2022.
  56. ↑ "STARLUX takes delivery of first A350". Airbus (Press release). 31 October 2022.
  57. ↑ Foster, Justin (13 September 2023). "Luxury Taiwanese Carrier Starlux Plans Airbus A350 Flights To San Francisco". Simple Flying. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  58. ↑ "Starlux Airlines kauft definitiv 17 Airbus A350" [Starlux Airlines will definitely buy 17 Airbus A350s]. AeroTelegraph (in German). 19 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  59. ↑ Finlay, Mark (9 November 2019). "Starlux Airlines Trades 12 Airbus A350-1000 Orders For A350-900s". Simple Flying. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  60. ↑ Kuan, Albert (6 October 2019). "StarLux Airlines Unveils Cabin Crew Uniforms and A321neo Cabin Products in Taipei". Airline Geeks. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  61. ↑ Wang, Shu-fen; Shang, Yi-ching (6 September 2020). "StarLux to offer first class in new A350 wide-body aircraft". Focus Taiwan - CNA English News. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  62. ↑ Huang, Tzu-ti (15 June 2019). "Taiwan's StarLux Airlines to launch first flights January 2020". Taiwan News. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  63. ↑ "Starlux Airlines Trades 4 Airbus A350-1000 Orders for A350-900s". 9 November 2019.
  64. ↑ "Starlux Takes Delivery of First A350-900". PRNewswire (Press release). Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  65. 1 2 "TheDesignAir –Starlux gives a masterclass in cabin design with its new A350s". TheDesignAir. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  66. ↑ "Peter White Soars with a New Album". Peter White News. 18 November 2019.
  67. 1 2 3 Flynn, David (8 October 2019). "Starlux promises premium experience for regional Asia business travel". Executive Traveller. Business Travel Media Pty Ltd. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  68. ↑ Ganesh, Siddharth (25 January 2023). "CEO Interview: STARLUX Going Global with Luxury". Airways. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  69. 1 2 "STARLUX A350-900 Cabin Class Reveal Setting New Standards for Airlines Cabin". www.starlux-airlines.com. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  70. 1 2 "Starlux reveals inaugural Airbus A350 routes - Executive Traveller". www.executivetraveller.com. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  71. 1 2 Alkema, Becca (11 November 2022). "Starlux first to brand front-row business-plus as first class on A350". Runway Girl. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  72. ↑ "Huan Yu VIP Terminal - STARLUX Airlines". www.starlux-airlines.com. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  73. ↑ Starlux Airlines First Class - A350 Inaugural Flight Taipei to LA, retrieved 2 December 2023
  74. ↑ "Safran's Skylounge Core Seats makes first flight on STARLUX Airlines". Safran. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  75. 1 2 Chen, Jackie. "Starlux Airlines unveils cabin design and seat products for its A321neo". Business Traveller. Panacea Media Limited. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  76. ↑ Miller, Seth (4 May 2022). "Peek inside the Starlux A330neo". PaxEx.Aero. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  77. 1 2 "Starlux 2022 Annual Report" (PDF). Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation. Starlux. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
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