Taiwanese Carrier Starlux Sets Sights on North America in 2022
Launched in January, the new Taipei-based airline seeks approval to serve 15 destinations in the US
Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines has applied to serve 15 destinations across the US, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (JFK), New York (Newark), Ontario, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Washington DC, beginning in 2022.
The airline, which launched in January this year, already operates services to Macau and Penang. Next month, the carrier will also begin flights to Bangkok, Osaka, and Tokyo.
Its expansion plan, which includes nonstop flights between Taipei and the US destinations, was submitted to Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration and will depend on market conditions and the delivery of its Airbus A350 aircraft, according to Focus Taiwan.
With the first of its A350s scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2021, the carrier plans to operate four classes, including a long-haul first class product.
Starlux CEO Glenn Chai said he hopes to convert Taipei into a major transit hub by building an extensive regional and long-haul route network. Prior to the pandemic, connecting traffic made up approximately 10 percent of Taipei’s total passenger volume, which Chai sees as an opportunity. He anticipates transfers to ultimately make up 30 to 40 per cent of Starlux’s passengers, complementing its target market of business travelers and frequent fliers.
