Taiwanese premium airline Starlux Airways is eyeing new U.S. locations with the assistance of its newest long-haul airplane.
The provider took supply of its first of 18 Airbus A350-1000s on Tuesday with a promise of latest flights to the East Coast of the U.S. and Europe.
“The supply of our first A350-1000 marks the start of a brand new period in STARLUX’s long-haul capabilities,” mentioned Glenn Chai, CEO of Starlux, in a assertion. “With prolonged vary in comparison with the A350-900, this plane can attain the U.S. East Coast.”
The airline already operates 9 A350-900s that may fly as much as 9,785 miles, in response to Airbus. That plane has already helped Starlux attain the western U.S.
The A350-1000 can fly a further 590 miles, or about 10,375 miles whole.
Starlux’s A350-1000s additionally seat 44 extra passengers in comparison with the A350-900 — with 350 whole in a four-cabin configuration with top notch, enterprise class, premium economic system and economic system.
Launched in 2020, Starlux has grown shortly in Taiwan’s aggressive aviation market. The airline serves 4 U.S. locations — Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX), Ontario Worldwide Airport (ONT) in Southern California, San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) and Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) — from its hub at Taiwan Taoyuan Worldwide Airport (TPE) in Taipei.
It is going to add its fifth U.S. vacation spot, Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport (PHX), on Jan. 15.
“We’re dedicated to long-term development within the U.S. market and proceed to judge potential new locations primarily based on market demand, operational feasibility and strategic worth,” mentioned Walter Liang, chief passenger industrial officer of Starlux, in an interview final summer season.
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“Whereas we purpose for regular enlargement, we take a considerate and measured method to development,” Liang added. “Our focus stays on constructing a powerful, sustainable community that meets the wants of our passengers whereas sustaining our service requirements.”
Starlux competes with both of or each fellow Taiwanese carriers China Airways and EVA Air on all its U.S. routes, schedules from aviation analytics agency Cirium present. It additionally faces Delta Air Traces on the TPE-SEA route and United Airways on the TPE-SFO route.
Starlux shouldn’t be a member of a worldwide alliance but it surely does have a loyalty tie-up with Alaska Airways’ Atmos Rewards program. It additionally has an interline settlement with American Airways that facilitates flight connections however lacks a loyalty element.
When requested if Starlux deliberate extra U.S. partnerships, Liang highlighted the advantages of the Alaska partnership and didn’t touch upon potential new tie-ups.
As for Starlux’s A350-1000 plans, the provider on Tuesday mentioned its first European flights with the plane will start within the second half of 2026.
Chai added that Starlux’s first European flights will start within the second half of 2026, with extra U.S. markets to launch because the airline takes extra A350 deliveries.
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