Review: Starlux Business Class A350 San Francisco to Bangkok (via Taipei)
I recently flew to Bangkok, with a layover in Taipei, on Starlux’s flagship business class product, and the journey was exceptional from start to finish. This review will take you through the entire experience, from the SFO ground experience to the lounges in Taipei and the onward flight to Bangkok.
Starlux is a luxury airline based in Taiwan, founded by the youngest son of EVA Airways’ founder. Although it’s a relatively small airline, Starlux has built a reputation for top-tier service and thoughtful design.
Currently, Starlux serves 26 destinations worldwide, with all routes beginning or ending in Taipei (TPE), including flights to three North American destinations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
In 2023, Starlux partnered with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, making it possible for members to book flights from North America to Taiwan for as low as 75,000 points, or connecting onwards to other parts of Asia for 85,000 points, depending on availability,
Starlux Business Class - Booking
Using 85,000 Alaska Airlines miles, I was able to secure a last-minute booking just a few days before my flight. Finding Starlux award availability can be challenging, but with Roame’s SkyView and Alerts features, I found a route that fit my schedule. You can check out more details on how I booked the flight here
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Starlux Business Class - SFO Ground Experience
Arriving at SFO about three hours before my departure, I found the Starlux check-in to be straightforward and efficient. The airport was quiet, and I passed through TSA PreCheck quickly.
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 eventually stopped by The Club SFO, a new Priority Pass lounge with a cozy, nature-inspired design, a solid buffet selection, and unique amenities like “luminescence rooms”, showers (for $25!), and a workout area.
I did try out the to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse which was nice and quiet, but offered limited food options. If you have Priority Pass, I'd certainly recommend The Club SFO over this lounge.
Starlux A350 Business Class - Boarding
When it came time to board, I arrived just before the scheduled time. Although the crew had already begun seating group 4, a Starlux employee kindly brought me straight to the front of the line to board with group 1.
Upon stepping onto the plane, I was warmly welcomed by flight attendants who guided me to my seat and introduced me to the product.
Starlux A350 Business Class - Cabin
Starlux’s A350 business class cabin features a spacious 1-2-1 layout with 26 seats, providing direct aisle access for every passenger. The design is sleek and modern, with a dark, luxurious color scheme that feels like the interior of a high-end vehicle.
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.
he business class seat was packed with amenities, offering ample storage and legroom spacious enough for my 6’2” height, providing comfort without any cramping. The seaat was fully equipped with several charging options including USB-C, USB-A, and AC outlets, as well as wireless charging.
The BRICS amenity kit featured products by Huygens, including an eye mask, earplugs, dental kit, socks, hairbrush, lip balm, lotion, and a facial mist. Additionally, the crew provided a face mask for an extra touch of care.
The most exciting in-flight amenity was the pajamas, which was a first for me on a business class flight. They were high quality and incredibly comfortable, adding an extra layer of relaxation to my long flight. They also gave out slippers, along with a shoe bag.
The seat setup also included a memory foam pillow, blanket, and a mattress pad for restful sleep.
Entertainment and Wi-Fi
The 24-inch 4K screen was the largest I’d ever seen on a flight, offering a full library of movies, TV shows, games, and a classic flight map. The takeoff and safety videos were a fun cartoon, which actually made me pay attention!
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.
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Starlux A350 Business Class Service
What truly set this flight apart was the extraordinary service from the Starlux crew. From the moment I boarded, the crew’s warm hospitality was evident. I was greeted with a welcome drink, a hot towel, and a friendly walk-through of the seat features and amenities.
During boarding, a flight attendant came by to review the dinner and breakfast menus with me, took my meal orders in advance, and offered to wake me for meal service—something I of course couldn’t turn down. Not long after takeoff, Florence, the cabin leader, personally introduced herself, setting the tone for the attentive and high-touch experience to follow.
The crew anticipated my needs. When I went to freshen up in the bathroom and brush my teeth, the crew took note and, upon my return, had already set up my bed for sleep. They arranged the mattress pad, pillow, and blanket perfectly, making the seat transformation seamless and inviting.
When I faced connectivity issues with the Wi-Fi (due to using a different email for booking), the crew was quick to troubleshoot and even generated a custom promo code just for me, ensuring I could stay connected during the flight.
As a final touch, they handed out candies and a custom deck of cards as a keepsake, featuring a playful Peanuts x Starlux design, marking the airline’s current collaboration with the beloved comic characters. This thoughtful souvenir was a memorable addition that capped off the exceptional service I received throughout the flight.
Overall, the service left a lasting impression on me and I really appreciate the experience they provided.
Starlux A350 Business Class Lavatories
The A350 business class cabin has three lavatories, with one near the cockpit and two in the back. Row 8s middle seats are directly next to the door. While the seats themselves offer some privacy, it’s certainly not an ideal location.
The lavatory was modern, clean, and comfortable, complete with spa-like music when the door closed. Toiletries by Huygens, dental picks, mouthwash, and real hand towels added to the premium feel. One fun touch? The toilet paper had a runway print on it!
Starlux A350 Business Class SFO-TPE - Food
Soon after taking off, it was time for my third meal of this very late night. But one I was really looking forward to. Check out 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.
A solid drink selection for a flight like this!
Dinner Service
After takeoff, the dinner service began with a smoked salmon salad accompanied by warm, soft bread—a small touch that made a big difference. The salad, featuring a variety of salmon types and hearts of palm, was delicious and satisfying.
For the main course, I chose the steak, seasoned with Himalayan sea salt. It was juicy, tender, and a huge improvement over typical airplane fare, paired with cauliflower mash and vegetables.
Dessert was a Chinese jelly with a light, not overly sweet flavor, accompanied by very fresh fruit—a refreshing end to the meal.
I finished off my meal with a nice chamomile tea to help ease me into sleep.
Breakfast
Two hours before landing, the crew woke me with a blackberry “wake-up” juice. Breakfast included a Cantonese chicken and frittata served with congee and a salted duck egg. The congee was flavorful and a nice warm way to wake-up.
The quality of the fruit was again really good., something I very much appreciated about Starlux on their flights.
TPE Ground Experience
Upon arrival in Taipei, I had a few hours to explore the newly opened
Starlux Galactic Lounge in Terminal 2
. Opened in early 2024, this lounge is a futuristic oasis for business and first-class travelers on Starlux. The lounge’s space-themed decor was fun and immersive, complete with staff dressed in space jumpsuits, adding a sci-fi flair.
The lounge offers a buffet and an a la carte menu with freshly prepared options. I started with the buffet and later tried the a la carte offerings, including the standout Taro and Soy Floss Sandwich. The large shower rooms downstairs were a major highlight, allowing me to refresh before my next flight.
For those without access to the Starlux lounge, the Oriental Club Lounge is a solid Priority Pass option. I arrived early before its opening and found a line waiting at 5 am. The lounge is spacious, with a variety of buffet options and some made-to-order items. While the food looked promising, I found it didn’t quite live up to its presentation. Still, it’s a comfortable spot to wait if you’re in TPE and don’t have access to an airline’s premium lounge.
Starlux A350 Business Class TPE-BKK Experience
For the short flight from Taipei to Bangkok, I was seated in 2A this time. Despite being a shorter route, Starlux maintained its high standards with excellent service. Yet again, the cabin manager, Zac, introduced himself at the start of the flight, adding a nice personal touch to the experience. Fresh guava and pineapple juice and a hot towel upon boarding.
Unlike the SFO-TPE leg, this journey didn’t include pajamas or an amenity kit, which was understandable given the flight duration, but I was hoping for a second set.
Since this was a morning flight, we were served a single breakfast meal. Starlux offered two menus: a contemporary Asian option and an international selection. The Asian menu featured an abalone and seafood congee with goji berry, green bamboo, and Taiwanese basil, complemented by a special drink pairing. Dessert was fresh fruit and aiyu jelly. The international option started with an avocado shrimp salad and a choice of main dishes—either pan-fried chicken thigh with pappardelle pasta or braised New Zealand beef cheek with mashed pumpkin and potato purée. Dessert options included Movenpick yogurt and fresh fruit.
Though I’d already had congee on my previous flight and in both lounges, I couldn’t resist ordering it again. The flavors in this version were on a whole new level. Unlike the plain versions I’d had before, this congee was vibrant and packed with fresh ingredients like seafood and Taiwanese basil. It was a standout meal. So good.
The meal concluded with another round of exceptionally fresh fruit and an aiyu jelly dessert paired with chia seeds, passion fruit, and a square of dark chocolate. This was the perfect slightly sweet ending to the breakfast.
For something a little different, I also tried the Wunjo Red Bean Essence drink, which was earthy and lightly sweet, I enjoyed it.
BKK Arrival Experience
Upon arrival in Bangkok, the ground experience was smooth and efficient. Starlux business class passengers enjoy access to a priority customs line, which makes clearing immigration a breeze. There was barely a line, and I was through in just a few minutes. My checked bag, marked with a priority tag, was one of the first to arrive on the carousel, allowing me to exit the airport quickly and start my time in Bangkok without delay. You can check out my review of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok I stayed at here!
Conclusion
Starlux Airlines has crafted a distinctive and high-quality business class experience that exceeds expectations. From attentive service and luxurious amenities to beautifully presented meals, this journey was well worth the 85,000 Alaska Airlines miles used for booking. Starlux’s A350 business class is a great option for travelers seeking a luxurious and memorable way to travel between North America and Asia.
From exclusive lounges to impeccable in-flight service, Starlux’s A350 business class is an experience worth pursuing. If you’re planning a trip, search Roame’s SkyView and set up alerts to make sure you don’t miss out on these coveted award flights.
