STARLUX has just launched its first nonstop flight between Taipei and Seattle, establishing a direct connection to the main hub of its global partner Alaska Airlines. This exciting development is the third transpacific service offered by the high-end carrier, connecting Taiwan to the United States.
The first STARLUX flight from Taipei (TPE) to Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) landed at Alaska’s main hub on a Friday afternoon, where a warm welcome ceremony was held with representatives from STARLUX, Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle.
Photo: Courtesy of STARLUX Airlines Japan @starluxjapan
STARLUX will operate the new route with its state-of-the-art Airbus A350 aircraft, offering a total seating capacity of 306 passengers, spread across four different cabin classes. This includes four First Class seats, 26 Business Class seats, 36 Premium Economy seats and the remaining 240 seats in Economy Class.
Established in 2018, STARLUX has earned a reputation as a premium airline that offers travelers exemplary service and comfort on flights across the Asia Pacific region. Examples of its premium luxury service include in-cabin aromatherapy, meals curated by Michelin-starred restaurants, sliding doors, fully reclining seats and Zero-G mode for first and business class passengers.
Photo: Courtesy of STARLUX Airlines
STARLUX’s new service also offers travelers in the Seattle area greater access to over 20 far-flung destinations in Asia. Via Taipei, passengers will benefit from seamless connecting flights to destinations in Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.
“STARLUX offers an industry-leading product with great inflight service and access to a number of dream destinations across Asia,” said Brett Carlin, Vice President of Loyalty, Alliances and Sales at Alaska Airlines.
Photo: Courtesy of STARLUX Airlines
“With the arrival of STARLUX in Seattle, 13 of our global partners now serve our home base, from which we offer more daily flights and destinations than any other West Coast airline.”
The Taiwanese airline operated its first trans-Pacific flights to the United States in April 2023 when it launched service from Taipei to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), followed by the launch of flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in December of the same year.
With the opening of the Seattle service, STARLUX now offers nonstop service to three major West Coast destinations.
“STARLUX is proud to arrive in SEA on this 75th anniversary,” said Glenn Chai, CEO of STARLUX Airlines. “Seattle is not only our newest destination, it is a critical milestone in our expansion strategy in the US.”
Photo: Sea-Tac Airport. Courtesy of Port of Seattle.
“Thanks to our valued partner Alaska Airlines, we are able to connect passengers from over 100 U.S. cities to the Asia-Pacific region via the West Coast for the first time. We are excited to bridge continents, expand travel options and provide exceptional service to our customers.”
Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho added, “We are thrilled to welcome STARLUX as our new airline partner in SEA. This summer has been a busy summer and the growing interest in service to Taipei reflects the vibrant global relationships we maintain.
“We are committed to maintaining these connections and ensuring that our communities and cultures continue to benefit from the rich exchanges that the Pacific Northwest’s location as the gateway to Asia offers.”
The new service will operate three times a week, departing Seattle on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
