Starlux A350 with new first, business class set to take wing

Starlux Airlines is counting down to the arrival of the Airbus A350 this month, and the reveal of the A350’s all-new first class and business class offerings.
The advanced twin-jet will spearhead the Taiwanese start-up’s entry into the US market from early 2023 and help Starlux level up against local rivals China Airlines and EVA Air – as could Starlux’s possible entry in to the Oneworld alliance.
A startup led by longterm Taiwanese aviation executive and former EVA Air chairman Chang Kuo-wei, scion of one of the island-nation’s richest families with an estimated net worth exceeding US$1 billion, Starlux has been touted by Chang as becoming the “Emirates of Taiwan.”.
This is based in part on Taipei’s geographical location: “you can reach major Asian cities within five hours,” Chang has observed.
“Located in a central position connecting North America, North Asia, and Southeast Asia, Taiwan has the best foundation to develop as an aviation hub.”
Starlux A350 delivery
The first Starlux A350 delivery will take place at the end of this month, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to Executive Traveller.
That jet has been making test flights from Airbus’ Toulouse base since late September, and final arrangements are being made for its official handover to Starlux, after which it will set out on the 10,250km (6,360 mile) trek to Taipei to join its A321neo and A330neo siblings in the airline’s hangars.
A second A350 expected to follow by year’s end, with two more in 2023 and another four in 2024, with the final 10 deliveries streaming through to the end of 2027.
All of these will be the popular A350-900 model, with Starlux having cancelled its original plans for a mix of the versatile A350-900 variant and the longer-range A350-1000.
Starlux A350 routes
As is commonplace once airlines add a new type of aircraft to their fleet, Starlux will begin short-range A350 flights for the purpose of crew familiarisation and to fine-tune procedures other operational procedures at Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport – as well as publicising its shiny new jet, of course.
But where Starlux will first fly the A350 remains to be seen. A spokesperson for the airline tells Executive Traveller “it will be South East Asian destinations, however, the exact routes are still under planning.”
Singapore is likely to be on that shortlist, along with Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and perhaps a destination in Japan (Starlux currently flies to Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Okinawa).
But those regional hops may not take off until early 2023, due to the need to have the A350 certified by Taiwanese authorities – a procedure which could take until early next year, the airline says.
From April 2023 Starlux will swing the A350 onto its first US routes, between Taipei and Los Angeles, the spokesperson confirmed.
Other North American cities will follow, and Starlux isn’t stopping there, with plans to extend its A350 network into Europe.
Starlux A350 seat map
Although we haven’t yet seen the official Starlux A350 seating chart, the jet is known to have four travel classes:
four first class suites
32 business class seats
24 premium economy or extra-legroom economy seats
246 economy seats
Inside the Starlux A350 we can expect the cabin to offer a refined, warm and calming design embracing a palette of natural colours, similar to that of the Starlux A330neo and in keeping with Starlux’s positioning as a self-declared “detail-oriented luxury airline”, especially in the premium cabins.
Starlux believe this approach is paramount to unlocking the duopoly of China Airlines and EVA Air in the highly competitive Asian market.
Starlux A350 first class
Starlux’s decision to include first class on its A350s is intended to give it a premium travel advantage over local rivals China Airlines and Eva Air, both of which phased out first class in recent years.
Indeed, it will be one of the few airlines with first class on an A350-900, alongside Lufthansa and Malaysia Airlines.
Little is known about the shape of Starlux A350 first class, except that there’ll be a single row of four suites.
These could be fully private self-contained suites in their own cabin, along the same lines as Lufthansa’s new Allegris first class, or they could conceivably be more of a highly-enhanced ‘business class plus’ similar to Virgin Atlantic’s The Retreat, offering with more space, companion dining and a personal wardrobe or mini-bar, and of course sliding doors.
Starlux A350 business class
StarLux will also need to elevate its A350 business class above that of China Airlines and Eva Air.
Given both Starlux’s upscale push and global trends, sliding privacy doors can’t be ruled out for its A350 business class.
You can expect to see wireless device charging and Bluetooth audio streaming to the passenger’s own headphones or earbuds.
The 32 lie-flat business class seats will sit in a compact cabin of just eight rows.
Executive Traveller has confirmed the Starlux A350 business class seats will be different to those of the Starlux A330neo, which are based on Safran Seats’ Skylounge Core platform and styled by BMW Designworks.
“It will be a different manufacturer for the A350 business class seats,” a Starlux spokesperson told Executive Traveller.