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As I wrote about in May 2025, Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines has continued its US expansion with the launch of new nonstop flights between Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) yesterday. This marks the carrier’s fifth American destination and the second nonstop link between Asia and the airport (China Airlines launched the same route last month). The route will be operated 3x times weekly and brings Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) into STARLUX’ growing transpacific network alongside Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario International Airport (ONT), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
The first flight touched down at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) at 5:40 PM to a traditional water arch salute before a launch celebration and the departure of the first outbound flight at 10:45 PM. The flights use STARLUX’ Airbus A350-900, which features four First Class, 26 Business Class, 36 Premium Economy, and 240 Economy Class seats.
The new route also expands options for travelers across the United States through STARLUX’ partnership with American Airlines. This enables connections from more than 40 cities via Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and onward to 26 destinations across Asia. Coordinated schedules and premium cabin offerings position the airline to compete for both leisure and business travelers seeking seamless transpacific journeys.
The airline and airport hosted an inaugural ceremony attended by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport CEO Chad Makovsky, American Airlines Managing Director of Alliances Jeff Ogar, Alaska Airlines Managing Director of Partnerships & International Alex Judson, and STARLUX Airlines CEO Glenn Chai. Speakers emphasized the cultural and economic significance of the route and highlighted new opportunities for tourism, trade, and aviation partnerships between the Valley of the Sun and Taiwan.
China Airlines is now also flying the same route. This gives SkyTeam loyalists another choice and will hopefully provide some bargain fares with these two Taiwanese airlines going head to head.
Anthony’s Take: I saw the STARLUX planes recently in Taipei and really want to check out the airline. It has done a good job in branding itself as luxe and futuristic.
(Image Credits: STARLUX Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
