Starlux Airlines is all set to soar with its A330neo aircraft, as the Taipei-based carrier has targeted June 1 as the launch date for flights to Bangkok, Manila, and Ho Chi Minh City.
To mark the beginning of this exciting venture, Starlux Airlines has planned two inaugural flights on June 1, heading to Bangkok and Manila. The service to Ho Chi Minh City will commence a bit later, on June 18.
As travel restrictions ease, Starlux Airlines has identified several other cities as potential destinations for the A330neo. These include Singapore, Macau, and Tokyo. The airline also expressed the possibility of expanding its routes to Australia, as the A330neo focuses on serving major cities within the Asia-Pacific region.
The business class cabin of the Starlux A330neo boasts 28 ‘high privacy pods,’ as coined by Starlux. These pods offer generous personal space and have convenient features like wireless charging and Bluetooth audio, allowing travelers to enjoy their entertainment through their headphones while utilizing the impressive 4K 17.3-inch screen.
To meet the standards of a contemporary business class seat, these pods effortlessly transform into fully lie-flat beds. Arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, every passenger enjoys easy access to the aisle, ensuring a comfortable and convenient journey.
Starlux partnered with BMW Designworks to craft the interior of its A330neo aircraft, creating an ambiance that exudes a “home in the air” feel. The interiors are adorned with a tasteful selection of natural colors, complemented by warm fabric and leather materials. This design approach aligns perfectly with Starlux’s vision of being a boutique carrier that prioritizes exceptional design.
By the end of this year, Starlux Airlines plans to have four A330neo jets parked in its hangars, followed by an additional four in 2023.
In addition to the A330neo, Starlux eagerly anticipates delivering its Airbus A350, which will be the flagship aircraft for flights to North America. The airline has identified several cities, including Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, and Washington DC, as potential destinations for the A350.
Starlux aims to take possession of the first of its 18 A350s, split between the A350-900 and A350-1000 models, in the third quarter of this year. This delivery will mark a significant milestone for the airline’s expansion plans.
Alongside its innovative business class, the Starlux A350s will feature a compact first-class cabin, rumored to have as few as four suites.
This approach aligns with Starlux potentially adopting a “business plus” or “business/first” concept, akin to the Airbus A350s operated by China Eastern and Malaysia Airlines and the upcoming Business Premier Luxe suites on Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787s.
Additionally, StarLux will need to improve on the high standards set by rivals Eva Air and China Airlines, which already have some of the nicest seats in Asia.
In fact, given StarLux’s upscale marketing strategy, sliding privacy doors can not be completely ruled out for either its first or business class cabins on the Airbus A350.
In the very competitive Asian market, Starlux believes that breaking the duopoly of China Airlines and EVA Air requires a premium travel strategy.
