Starlux Airlines, the new Taiwan-based premium carrier, will launch its inaugural Taipei (TPE)-Los Angeles (LAX) flight on April 26.
Initially starting with five weekly flights, the service is expected to ramp up to daily operations from June.
Starlux is now the “Official International Airline Partner of the LA Clippers” as part of a multi-year partnership with the NBA team.
“As a brand-new airline to the US market, STARLUX is excited to help create memorable journeys by providing unique and exquisite service to customers traveling to and from Los Angeles to Taipei, and other Asian cities,” said Starlux chief executive, Glenn Chai.
“With Los Angeles being the sister city of Taipei, along with our partnership with the LA Clippers, the city of angels is our airline’s perfect starting US destination.”
The airline start-up operates the TPE-LAX route with its new-generation Airbus A350-900 aircraft configured in a premium four-class layout, with four seats in first class, 26 in business, 36 in premium economy, and 240 seats in standard economy class.
Travellers in first and business will have a cozy private space with a sliding door and seats with full-flat and ‘Zero G’ mode for complete relaxation.
The extra-legroom premium economy section features a 40-inch Recaro seat with a leg rest and footrest bar.
The new flights will provide Starlux’s signature dining experience, including various traditional Taiwanese dishes.
Starting June 1, LA Clippers-themed amenities will be provided on Starlux TPE-LAX flights, including themed meals.
Reservations for LAX are now open on www.starlux-airlines.com.
Flights will depart Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport at 2340. The return flights will leave Los Angeles at 0050.
Starlux’s first class offering is unusual. The airline provides just four first class suites in the first row of the aircraft, although these seats are not partitioned off from the rest of the cabin by way of a curtain. Instead they feature 60-inch high partitions between the business and first cabins.
Starlux is the brainchild of Chang Kuo-wei, a former Evergreen Group princeling who was ousted as EVA Air chief by feuding family members and as a result decided to build its own airline to go head-to-head with EVA.
