Review: Starlux Business Class A350 San Francisco to Taipei
I flew to Bangkok (via Taipei) with Starlux’s flagship business class product to attend a conference. I will be focusing on the San Francisco (SFO) to Taipei (TPE) leg in this review. Keep an eye out for a review of my entire trip coming.
Starlux is a relatively new luxury airline based in Taiwan, founded by the youngest son of the EVA Airways founder. Their inaugural flight took off in 2020. Despite its smaller fleet compared to major carriers, it’s earned itself a great reputation for its new flight products and distinctive design (both futuristic yet premium).
At this time, Starlux flies 26 routes, all originating or ending at TPE, with three North America routes between TPE and LAX, SFO, and SEA.
In 2023, Starlux formed a partnership with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, allowing members to book flights from North America to Taiwan for as low as 75,000 points, depending on availability.
Excited by all the positive reviews, I could not wait to experience Starlux for the first time!
Starlux Business Class - Booking
I booked my flights using 85,000 Alaska Airlines Miles (transferred from American Express, via Hawaiian) on a last minute booking only a few days before the flight.
Starlux Airlines award availability is often limited, but I found space by using
Roame’s Skyview
and Alerts features. You can check out more details on
how I booked the flight here.
American Express Platinum Card®
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Starlux Business Class - SFO Ground Experience
I arrived at SFO a little over three hours before my late-night flight. Fortunately, my driver dropped me off right outside the Starlux check-in counters, so they were easy to find.
It was ~9:30pm on a Wednesday, and the airport was pretty quiet, with short lines everywhere. I used the dedicated business class check-in for Starlux and was the only person there. Check-in was smooth, quick, and efficient. Next up—security. Since it was a quiet night and I had TSA PreCheck, I breezed through with no wait there as well.
With time to spare, I explored a few lounges. Although my Starlux ticket granted me access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, I was curious to try other Priority Pass lounges. However, both China Airlines and Golden Gate Lounges were closed to Priority Pass members by the time I arrived.
I did get to try out a new Priority Pass lounge, The Club SFO. After a short wait, I got to experience the best Priority Pass lounge I’ve been to in the US. It had a buffet selection with solid food, a cozy atmosphere with nature-inspired decor, and even unique amenities like “luminescence rooms” and a workout area (though showers were $25!).
Starlux A350 Business Class - Boarding
Finally, it was time to board. I arrived from the lounge just before the scheduled boarding time, but the crew was early and group 4 was already up to board. However, when I approached a Starlux employee to let them know I was group 1, he brought me straight to the front of the line and got me on board.
Stepping onto the plane, I was greeted with a warm reception from the flight attendants, who guided me to my seat.
During the boarding process, a flight attendant walked me through the menu, and took orders for both dinner and breakfast, as well as drink orders. They also asked if they could wake me up for meal services. Which of course I said yes to – I don’t want to miss a meal.
Starlux A350 Business Class - Cabin
The business class cabin of the Starlux A350 boasts 26 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.
The cabin features a modern and elegant aesthetic, with a dark color palette that felt like the inside of a luxury car.
Seats and Amenities
The attention to detail in the seats was evident. I was in seat 7A, a window seat with plenty of privacy. For solo travelers, A or K window seats are ideal, while D and E seats work well for companions. The first row seats are considered “first class”, and look similar to the other seats but are a bit more spacious and surrounded by a massive enclosure and taller door, providing even more privacy.
I was in the second to last row (last for window seats), right in front of the galley and bathroom, but it did not feel busy at all. There are two middle seats in row 8 that are directly next to the bathrooms and should probably be avoided if you can.
The business class seat had all the bells and whistles. There was plenty of storage space and enough leg room for me to stretch out my 6’2” frame with no cramping. It was fully equipped for charging with ports for USB-C, USB-A, an AC power outlet, and wireless charging.
In terms of amenities, Starlux provided an amenity kit from BRICS, the luxury Italian luggage brand, with products from Huygens. Inside it contained an eye mask, earplugs, a dental kit, socks, a hair brush, lip balm, lotion, and a facial mist. I don’t know my luxury items too well but it all impressed me. Additionally, the crew offered a facial mask, which I didn’t use, but it was a nice touch.
My favorite in-flight amenity were the pajamas, which was a first for me on a business class flight. My excitement was high, and these pajamas were high quality and some of the most comfortable pajamas I’ve ever worn. The materials felt great. They also gave out slippers, along with a shoe bag.
For seat comfort, there was a memory foam pillow, blanket, and a mattress pad for extra sleeping comfort. These provided one of the most comfortable business class flights I could imagine.
Entertainment and Wi-Fi
Starlux’s massive 24” 4K screen stood out as the largest I’ve ever seen on a flight. The system offered everything you’d expect and more, from classic movies to the latest releases, TV shows, games, and a classic flight map. I didn’t watch anything during my flight but it seemed to have it all. And the takeoff and safety videos were shown on the screen as a fun cartoon that actually kept me engaged as they went through it. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should check it out.
When it comes to Wi-Fi on Starlux, there’s both good and bad news. The good news is that Starlux offers free Wi-Fi to business class passengers on the flight. The bad news is the Wi-Fi barely worked. Oftentimes, it had no connection at all. Even when there was a connection, I found it to be very slow.
Starlux A350 Business Class Service
What stood out most to me on this entire journey was the outstanding service from the in-flight crew.
Once I was settled in, the crew made an impression from the start—offering a welcome drink, warm towel, and my amenities. The flight attendants were attentive and friendly from the start, walking me through the seat features, amenities, and the menu for the night. Shortly after take off, the cabin leader, Florence, came over and introduced herself as well.
The crew made every interaction feel personal; they addressed me by name and even noticed when I struggled to connect to the Wi-Fi (as I’d used a different email for booking). To solve it, they generated a custom promo code just for me, getting me online smoothly.
When I was ready to sleep, the crew noticed as I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and they prepared my bed for me, setting up the mattress pad, placing the sheets/pillow, and laying my seat flat.
As a thoughtful finishing touch, the crew handed out a deck of cards as a take-home souvenir. Starlux is currently collaborating with Peanuts, so the deck featured a fun Peanuts x Starlux design, which made for a fun keepsake from the flight.
Overall, the service left a lasting impression on me and I really appreciate the experience they provided.
Starlux A350 Business Class Lavatories
Starlux’s A350 business class cabin has three lavatories in total — one at the front near the cockpit and two toward the back, with one on each side. Row 8s middle seats are directly next to the door. While the seats themselves offer some privacy, it’s certainly not an ideal location.
On the inside, the lavatory experience was pleasant. Closing the door activated soft, spa-like music, adding a nice touch. While not particularly spacious, the lavatories are modern and clean, as you’d expect on a new Airbus A350.
The amenities were well thought out, with toiletries from Huygens, along with extras like dental picks, mouthwash, and real hand towels. There was even a diffuser and fake plants to add to the spa-like ambiance.
My favorite detail: the toilet paper had Starlux’s logo on it.
Starlux A350 Business Class - Food
Shortly after takeoff, it was time for my third meal of this very late night. You can find the food menus below.
You can find a sample of the very extensive drink list below, which includes cocktails, liquor, soft drinks, tea, coffee, wine, and more.
Quite an impressive drink selection to be packing on a plane!
Dinner Service
The meal service began with a smoked salmon salad. The bread was warm and soft—a small thing, but much appreciated—and the salad was delicious, with different types of salmon and heart of palm. Definitely a highlight.
For the main, I ordered the steak, served with Himalayan sea salt. Surprisingly tender and juicy, the steak paired well with cauliflower mash and vegetables. It was leagues better than the typical airplane meal.
Dessert was a Chinese jelly, which was unique and not overly sweet, just the way I like it. It was accompanied by some real fresh fruit, a refreshing end to the meal and a huge step up from the lounge fruit options.
I capped my meal off with a nice chamomile tea to help ease me into sleep.
Breakfast
Two hours before landing, the crew woke me up for breakfast, starting with a blackberry juice “wake-up drink.” For breakfast, I chose the congee along with a frittata and Cantonese chicken—a flavorful and comforting dish with tender chicken. The salted duck egg added a nice touch, though I’ll admit I wasn’t exactly sure how to eat it!
Starlux impressed me once again with the fresh fruit. The quality was consistently top-notch throughout the flight.
Conclusion
Starlux Airlines has successfully crafted a unique and high-quality business class experience that punches above its weight. From excellent service to high-end amenities and delicious meals, this journey was worth every mile, especially when booked for only 85,000 points through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. For travelers seeking luxury between North America and Asia, Starlux A350 business class is hard to beat.
Ready to book your own Starlux experience? Search Roame’s Skyview and set up alerts to help you track availability for these coveted award flights.
