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This is a review of my Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class experience from Osaka (KIX) to Taipei (TPE). Starlux Airlines is Taiwan’s newest addition to its aviation scene. This luxury boutique airline is redefining air travel with its cutting-edge First to Economy class experience aboard the latest generation of Airbus A350 aircraft. available on the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 aircraft. Featuring the latest onboard technologies combined with fantastic food and hospitality, the experience was one of my best-ever business-class flights.
JX 823
Airbus A350-900XWB (Extra Widebody)
Osaka – Taipei (KIX – TPE)
Duration: 3h 17m
Seat: 2K
Introduction
Starlux Airlines was founded in 2018 by Chang Kuo-Wei, the founder and former chairman of EVA Air, a well-regarded airline based in Taiwan and a member of the Star Alliance. Over the 6 years, Starlux Airlines has become a real competitor to other top-tier airlines and is stealing market share away from them. It would not surprise me if Starlux continues to expand and joins an airline alliance (OneWorld).
The Starlux Fleet, source: starlux.com
The flagship aircraft in the fleet is the Airbus A350 XWB, which is Airbus’ new production standard aircraft with a 4-inch wider passenger compartment. It flies to Osaka, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Here is what the entire route network looks like comprised of A350-900, A330-900neo, and A321neo aircraft
Routes – Starlux Airlines, created using gcmap.com
Starlux embodies the future of travel with its space-aged theme, which is emulated in everything it does, from its onboard Sci-Fi Cosmos 2.0 cocktail to the Galactic lounge, which looks like something from Star Trek, to its striking cabin design with a star-studded ceiling.
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class Cabin
The Galactic Lounge, Starlux Airlines, source: Starlux Airlines
Having new aircraft in the fleet means having “futuristic” technologies on board, including 4K screens with Bluetooth, a zero-gravity seat, new auto-dimmable windows (a considerable upgrade from Boeing’s 787), USB-C, and wireless charging.
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class Seat
Starlux is known for its high-end details and refined service. My experience concurred with this statement. Let’s now dive into the details.
Booking Process
Booking award travel on Starlux Airlines is only possible through the Alaska Airlines Mileage Program. The prices vary, but if you happen to grab a “saver” fare, it can be as low as 60,000 points between Taipei and North America. The route I was on from Osaka (KIX) to Taipei (TPE) cost only 15,000 points + $28 in taxes. What a deal!
Availability on this route, as well as other intra-Asia routes, is quite good. Remember to use Alaska’s website’s calendar feature to find award space quickly.
Alaska Booking Calendar
As far as earning Alaska points goes, for Canadians, it’s tricky as the MBNA Alaska credit card is no longer available. The options are to transfer Marriott Bonvoy at a 3:1 ratio (+5000 points for every 60k Bonvoy transfer) or outright purchase the points. Purchasing points can be worth it; for example, if you were to purchase 30,000 points (for 2 passengers) during their current ongoing promotion, it would only cost $550 ($275/pp) to fly the same flight I did. This is cheaper than an economy ticket! 
Ground Experience and Lounge
The Starlux business class ground experience in Osaka isn’t anything different from what you would expect of any business class lounge, with a priority check-in counter, security, and immigration. Starlux Airlines departs from Terminal 1 at Osaka Kansai International Airport.
Starlux Airlines check-in counter, source: starlux airlines
Given that Osaka is a Starlux Airlines outstation, lounge access was provided to the JAL Sakura Business Class Lounge, a fantastic lounge with a great selection of Japanese food to indulge in.
JAL Sakura Business Class Lounge, Osaka
After a couple of hours in the lounge, it was time to board, which was performed swiftly in true Japanese fashion. One last look at the beautiful A350 before we get into the onboard details.
A350 Business Class Seat
Score: 5/5
The interior design of Starlux Airlines A350 business class is unique from many other business class products. The space-age theme is present everywhere, from the lighting, carpeting, sharp lines, and color combination used. This carries over to the seat itself, which seems to look aesthetically perfect. I’m usually not a fan of reverse herringbone seats, but Starlux is an exception for me. It’s very comfortable, wide, and ample legroom, and comfortable in bed mode as well.
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class Seat
Starlux A350 Business Class Bed
\The seat also features a zero-gravity position for lounging, which seemed like a proper zero-gravity chair: very comfortable and not the gimmick that I initially thought it would be.
Zero Gravity function on Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class, source: Starlux Airlines
Digital seat controls aboard Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class
Now, let’s talk about privacy, or lack thereof, in this seat. I purposely chose row 2, which added height and privacy due to the back of the first-class seat/cabin. Otherwise, the privacy the doors provide is almost a gimmick, as anyone walking by can see you. In addition, the door does not fully close. But I’ll take any door over no door.
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class Door
I want to talk about the windows for a moment. The Starlux A30s have the latest generation auto-dimming windows, and I found them to be a much-improved version of what you would expect to see on the Boeing 787. What is immediately noticeable is how fast they dim. Also, they can become pitch black and fully block out the sun, well 99.99%. Third, the touch screen controls are satisfying to use with a digital indicator showing the progress of dimming.
Starlux Airlines A350 Window Specs, source: Airbus
A new airline means new planes, which means new technologies. In addition to the auto-dimming windows, there are wireless charging and USB-C charging capabilities. However, I think wireless charging capability is a useless feature and a gimmick on airplanes. Why? Wireless charging is slow, and any movement of the phone on the pad can cause the charging connection to be lost. It’s unlike Apple’s MagSafe, which is high-speed wireless charging with a magnetic connection. Starlux also has a wireless charging pad located inside the cabinet, making it inconvenient to access or check if the charging connection is intact. So thank you, Starlux (and other airlines), for adding the feature, but I’ll stick to my USB-C charging.
Starlux A350 Business Class Wireless Charging
Moving on to the entertainment system, this shines on Starlux Airlines! Not only is there a plethora of entertainment options (in 4k), but there is also Bluetooth connectivity for your own headphones. I tested this out, and it was a seamless connection process with my Apple AirPods.
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class: 4K Entertainment Screen
No outboard camera views were available on this aircraft, which struck me as odd given that this is a common feature amongst all A350s. I’m not sure why Starlux didn’t opt for this.
Food and Drinks
Score: 5/5
The food and drink offerings on Starlux Airlines were superb! The selection, quality, and attention to detail really surprised me. Not only was the menu extensive for such a short flight, but it also tasted quite delicious. Below are some parts of the menu. Notice how there is an Asian and International option:
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class Asian Menu
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class International Menu
I ordered the Asian selection with the beef sukiyaki, and it was delicious:
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class Asian Menu Dinner
And the dessert:
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class Dessert: Fruits and Kuzukiri
Onto the drinks available on Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class: there is a cocktail menu with Starlux’s signature cocktails and Boba Tea!
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class: Cocktail Menu
The cocktails were some of the best I’ve ever had in the air! I ordered the Sci-fi Cosmos 2.0 and the Star Mojito, which were amazing!
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class Cocktails
Starlux Airlines A350 Business Class: Boba Tea Latte
For a business-class product, Starlux’s food and drink offerings are near perfection; I was very satisfied.
Pyjamas and Amenity Kit
Given the short length of this flight, no pyjamas or amenity kits were provided. This is a disappointment, as I was hoping for at least the BRIC amenity kit. This is how it looks like:
Starlux Airlines BRIC Amenity Kit
Service
Score: 5/5
The quality of service an airline exhibits can make or break a flight experience. I’ve flown many flights, such as ANA First Class, where the hard product excelled, but the service was lacklustre, leaving a sour taste in my mouth, and I have no desire to fly it again. Conversely, good service can make an otherwise poor, hard product enjoyable! So, quality of service is of utmost importance.
Starlux Airlines, source: Starlux Airlines
The baseline standard I expect for business-class service is a flawless, robotic experience. Anything beyond that is a win in my books, such as showing some personality, anticipating what a customer wants, being proactive, and, most importantly, building rapport. This is a level of service quality that one would expect in first class, similar to what I experienced on my The 22 Hour Singapore Airlines Suites Experience. So, when an airline brings some of these aspects to business class, that is above and beyond in my books. This is what Starlux showcased to my family on our flight.
Soon after boarding, the flight attendants welcomed us by name and asked us about our travels, why we were going to Taipei, how we enjoyed Japan, etc., building rapport. They even chatted with my 12-year-old daughter, inquiring about her food preferences and recommending the Boba tea latte. They also gave her some gifts. Throughout the flight, the attendants consistently provided prompt service, responding to my requests within 30 seconds (I tend to press the call button often). Their attention to detail and commitment to customer service made our business-class experience exceptional.
Summary
My Starlux A350 business class flight was nothing short of perfection. I had very high expectations going into the flight, and I can confidently say that my expectations were met and exceeded. Starlux Airlines has a perfect marriage of an excellent hard and soft product. The price was also stellar, and those who try to maximize their points will be very satisfied redeeming their Alaska points for this flight. I look forward to my next longer flight, trans-Pacific in 2025.
