I’m somewhat ironically writing this post onboard an EVA Air flight from Taipei to New York. I had no idea that the inaugural US-bound STARLUX flight would be leaving Taipei *while I was there*.
Starlux is a new super premium carrier based out of Taipei, Taiwan. We first heard about them in 2019 when they opened for business (although it would be awhile before actual flights started and until now, flight only operated intra-Asia), because they were doing a fantastic status match.
I’d recommended at the time that anyone that could match, should, since we didn’t know what partnerships lied ahead (not to mention, there’s a chance they’ll wind up joining oneworld). Sadly, my tier was too low then (you needed the equivalent of Delta Platinum or higher to match) and the status match offer ended then and has not returned.
While that made it a bit late for me to try and sneak aboard their TPE-LAX inaugural – fares start at $3,000 one way in Business; $9,000 in First – it’s nice to know that I may have the chance to check it out later if can save up some Alaska miles.
Alaska miles have been slowing devaluing – as new partners came online and then once they joined oneworld, increasingly business and first class awards were priced many times higher than before.
It’s made me a bit less inclined to care about earning them, especially since as an East Coaster, I rarely actually fly Alaska Airlines.
But at least at launch, sometime this summer, you’ll be able to use Alaska Airlines miles (sadly only acquirable outside of flying via the Alaska credit cards and transfers from Marriott Bonvoy) to fly Starlux to Taipei and beyond (i.e. Tokyo via Taipei).
Award prices (they say these are starting prices so I guess they will go up later?) are:
- 20,000 for one way Economy
- 40,000 for one way Premium Economy
- 60,000 for one way Business Class
The 60,000 for Business Class is a steal, with current one way LAX-TPE flights pricing out (as I mentioned earlier) at about $3,000.
Jealous as I am of those invited by Starlux to experience it, let’s see what one of those journalists, Chris Dong, has to say as he landed…
Greetings from Taipei where I just flew 14 hours in business from Los Angeles on Starlux Airline’s inaugural!
I’m writing about the flight for @CNTraveler but here are three first impressions that made it standout to me + a couple critiques.
— Chris Dong (@thechrisflyer) April 27, 2023
Thoughts?
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