Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines has launched a new nonstop service between its Taipei base and San Francisco, its second US gateway after Los Angeles.
Initially, Starlux will operate the Taipei-San Francisco service three times a week,
Flight JX011 will leave San Francisco each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 2340 and arrive in Taipei at 0530 two days later. Flight JX012 will leave Taipei at 2320 and arrive in San Francisco at 1815 on the same days.
Starlux will upgrade the Airbus A350-900 service to daily flights from 20 March, 2024.
The carrier’s inaugural celebration took place at SFO International Terminal Gate B5 prior to the flight’s departure. The gate-side event included ribbon- and cake-cutting ceremonies, specially crafted cookies, refreshments, special gifts and a rendition of “I left My Heart in San Francisco” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas” performed by singer Wakane Luke.
“The launch of our San Francisco to Taiwan route tops off an amazing series of milestones for STARLUX. In January 2020, we took to the skies with three intra-Asia flights. Three years on, by staying focused on our vision and ambition, we have expanded our network and now fly to 22 destinations.
We launched our inaugural transpacific flight to Los Angeles in April, and now celebrate our second US destination, San Francisco,” said Starlux CEO, Glenn Chai.
The Starlux A350-900s seat four in first class, 26 in business, 36 in premium economy (36 seats) and 240 in standard economy class. The first and business cabins come with sliding doors for added privacy.
For its SFO route launch, Starlux debuted a new 3-star Michelin menu from Taiwanese restaurant Tairroir in first class on flights departing Taipei to San Francisco. From January, first class passengers heading to Los Angeles will also be able to select these dishes.
