Starlux Airlines on July 15, 2026 marked a milestone as its STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA aircraft celebrated its inaugural long-haul commercial service, touching down at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Flight JX026 featured the new STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA SILVER (B-58553), an Airbus A350-1000 reimagined as a flying masterpiece through a partnership with legendary Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama — making Phoenix the first destination in North America to welcome the iconic aircraft.

The arrival was commemorated with a gate ceremony at Phoenix Sky Harbor, where STARLUX officials, Phoenix city leadership, and media gathered to witness the aircraft’s first on-ground appearance in the U.S.

The AIRSORAYAMA CONCEPT
The STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA project comprises two Airbus A350-1000 aircraft — AIRSORAYAMA GOLD and AIRSORAYAMA SILVER — each featuring the signature aesthetic of Sorayama’s artworks, with fluid contours and reflective metallic textures. The artistic vision extends beyond the exterior: passengers experience a fully immersive journey through specially curated cabin amenities, exclusive merchandise collections, and custom-designed inflight content. Each aircraft is configured with four First Class suites, 40 Business Class seats, 36 Premium Economy seats, and 270 Economy Class seats.

A Milestone for Phoenix
As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States and an emerging gateway for commerce and travel across Asia, Phoenix was a natural first choice for STARLUX’s North American debut. “STARLUX Airlines continues to show that the future of aviation is landing in Phoenix,” Mayor Kate Gallego said. “With the launch of the stunning AIRSORAYAMA aircraft in the United States, STARLUX Airlines is building on its six months of successful service in Phoenix.

Inaugural Celebration at Phoenix Sky Harbor
To commemorate the AIRSORAYAMA aircraft’s North American debut, STARLUX held an inaugural ceremony at Phoenix Sky Harbor following the aircraft’s arrival. The event featured a commemorative aircraft model presentation to Mayor Gallego, guided cabin tours, and tarmac access for media photography.

Speakers at the ceremony included Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Aviation Director Chad Makovsky, American Airlines Head of Partnerships Jeff Ogar, Alaska Airlines Managing Director of Partnerships & International Alex Judson, and STARLUX Chief Strategy Officer Simon Liu. Remarks underscored the significance of the route in deepening cultural, economic, and aviation ties between Phoenix and Asia and highlighted STARLUX’s commitment to redefining the travel experience through innovation and design.

Looking Ahead
Starting October 1, STARLUX Airlines will launch scheduled AIRSORAYAMA services to Phoenix, Tokyo, and Prague, further strengthening its global network and intercontinental connectivity.

Starlux Airlines (Taipei) will add the Taipei – Singapore route on September 23.

Initially the route will be operated two days a week increasing to three in October.

However Taiwan has not yet eased travel restrictions to the island for foreigners.

StarLux Airlines officially launched its inaugural flight between Manila and Taipei today, July 8. The airline once again goes against the tide during the pandemic by launching a new route to another major Asian destination. StarLux will initially operate two flights per week. The schedule is listed below.

* Note: Flight number and schedule may change without prior notice.

StarLux Airlines has launched a new route between Taipei and Ho Chi Minh City, operating three round-trip flights a week.

On January 23 last year, the new airline launched its inaugural flights from Taoyuan to three destinations — Macau, Da Nang and Penang.

With its hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, StarLux Airlines will initially fly routes in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, gradually developing its trans-oceanic routes to North America. It is now operating Macau, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Tokyo and Osaka routes.

Starlux Airlines made this announcement:

Taiwan’s newly founded airline STARLUX Airlines, with its very first flights to Macau, Penang and Danang on January 23, 2020 last year, officially launched its inaugural flight flying between Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei today (May 13).

STARLUX has been adjusting its schedule and choosing to open new routes to important business destinations in response to market demand during the pandemic. After opening routes to Narita, Osaka, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, the airline once again goes against the tide during the pandemic by launching a new route to another major Asian destination—Ho Chi Minh City. The schedule for the newly added route is listed below.

*STARLUX Airlines reserves the right to adjust the flight schedule at any time. The schedule is subject to change without any prior notice.

With regard to the newly added routes, STARLUX will continue safety precautions and measures to prevent Covid-19. These measures include full cabin and amenities cleaning and disinfection on every flight, cabin crew wearing disposable waterproof gowns, surgical masks, waterproof gloves and eye protection equipment.

With its hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, STARLUX Airlines now flies to Macau, Penang, Bangkok, Osaka, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City. The airline initially operates routes in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia and will gradually develop its trans-oceanic routes to North America starting in 2022, growing steadily toward becoming one of the world’s leading airlines.

STARLUX airlines is positioned as a premium boutique airline. Its Airbus A321neo aircraft has 188 seats, including 8 in business class and 180 in economy class. Each seat in business class is equipped with a 15.6-inch 1080p inflight entertainment system screen and can transform into an 82-inch fully flat bed. Passengers sitting in economy class can stretch out with a generous 31-inches of leg room and enjoy a personal entertainment system featuring a 10.1-inch 720p screen, which is the first on narrow-body aircraft in Taiwan. The business class meals are specially prepared by the one-star Michelin Taiwanese restaurant – Longtail, while economy class features Taiwan-based meat brand “Hutong Roasted Meat” to create luxurious roasted meat with rice. There is also the one and only signature “Home in the air” cabin fragrance.

Starlux Airlines is suspending its only remaining route, Taipei (Taoyuan) – Da Nang on March 21 until at least May 1, 2020.

The Penang route was previously suspended on March 8, 2020 according to Airline Route.

Starlux Airlines, as planned launched scheduled passenger operations on January 23, 2020.

The airline made this announcement:

After almost three years of preparation, Starlux Airlines announced the launch of its inaugural flights on January 23, flying to three destinations—Macau, Da Nang and Penang—with three flights to Macau, two flights to Da Nang and one flight to Penang respectively.

As a passionate qualified pilot himself, Chang has taken every opportunity to personally fly the airline company’s new aircraft. Not only did he fly the first three A321neos back to Taiwan from Hamburg, he also flew the second round trip to Macau and back, flights JX203 and JX204.

Starlux operated the advanced Airbus A321neo aircraft on the three routes. The aircraft has 188 seats, including eight in business class and 180 in economy class. Each seat in business class is equipped with a 15.6-inch 1080p inflight entertainment system screen and can transform into an 82-inch fully flat bed. Passengers sitting in economy class can stretch out with a generous 31-inches of leg room and enjoy a personal entertainment system featuring a 10.1-inch 720p screen, which is the first on narrow-body aircraft in Taiwan. Moreover, Wi-Fi service is provided in both classes.

The inflight services have also been exquisitely prepared. From the playful 3D animated inflight safety video, the design and texture of the cabin seats, the exclusive cabin frangrance to the tailormade boarding music by the famous jazz musician Peter White and the inflight meal concocted by Michelin-star chef Lam Ming Kin, Starlux has prepared a journey experience to satisfy all five senses of each passenger.

With its hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Starlux Airlines will initially fly routes in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, gradually developing its trans-oceanic routes to North America starting in 2022, growing steadily towards becoming one of the world’s leading top airlines.

All photos by the airline.