Wow: Starlux Airways Provides Phoenix Route, Airport’s First Hyperlink To Asia

Taiwan-based Starlux Airways has revealed its subsequent vacation spot in america (due to @IshrionA for flagging this), and it’s not what you’d essentially anticipate. It’s additionally the primary vacation spot in america which isn’t served by a minimum of one in all Taiwan’s two different world carriers (China Airways and EVA Air).

Starlux launching Taipei to Phoenix flights as of February 2026

Whereas flights aren’t but on sale, Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport (PHX) has introduced that Starlux Airways intends to launch nonstop flights there from Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE). The route is anticipated to launch in early 2026, with 3-4x weekly frequencies. The flight is meant to go on sale as soon as ultimate regulatory approval has been obtained.

The 7,104-mile flight would be the service’s longest path to date. As is the case on all the service’s routes to america, this will likely be flown by an Airbus A350-900. That airplane is supplied with 306 seats, together with 4 top quality seats, 26 enterprise class seats, 36 premium financial system seats, and 240 financial system seats. I’ve reviewed Starlux’s glorious A350 enterprise class.

Phoenix will likely be Starlux’s fifth vacation spot in america, complementing flights to Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego broke the information, and shared that this comes as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Firm (TSMC) plans to take a position $165 billion into its Phoenix services. As she explains:

“Phoenix’s first continuous flight to Asia displays the unbelievable strides we’ve made with our native financial system, and our emergence as a world metropolis. TSMC’s historic funding in Phoenix has introduced hundreds of excessive wage jobs and boosted our repute as a semiconductor hub, and now it’s serving to improve air service demand.”

Right here’s what Starlux Airways Chairman Ok.W. Chang needed to say about this announcement:

“I knew from the second I set foot in Phoenix that STARLUX ought to make the funding to fly right here. Not solely is the expansion of enterprise between Taipei and Phoenix staggering, it’s an ideal match for our stage of service. We’re proud and honored to be the primary service to supply nonstop Asia service for the Phoenix neighborhood.”

My tackle Starlux’s newest lengthy haul enlargement

Up till this level, all of Starlux Airways’ routes to america have been to markets which might be already served by China Airways, EVA Air, or each. On the one hand, I perceive why they’re replicating these markets, as a result of they’re ones with quite a lot of demand to Taiwan and past. Then again, it’s additionally enjoyable to see some innovation.

On this case, Starlux isn’t simply serving a market that doesn’t have service from Taiwan’s different carriers, but it surely’s a market that doesn’t have any service to Asia. So it is a large win for the area people.

Now, it’s value remembering that Starlux has a partnership with Alaska Airways, and Starlux needs to affix the oneworld alliance (although it stays to be seen if that involves fruition, given the pursuits of assorted airways).

With Starlux flying to Phoenix, you’d definitely suppose that an American partnership would make sense, given the connectivity that opens up. On the identical time, with out mutual alliance membership (at a minimal), I believe it’s unlikely we’ll see a lot in the way in which of connectivity, particularly since American has its personal transpacific three way partnership with Japan Airways. In different phrases, American doesn’t truly need individuals taking this flight, as issues at present stand.

Now I’m curious to see if China Airways and EVA Air match Starlux’s service. It’s not just like the airways have connectivity in Phoenix, although they do have extra established networks to locations in Asia past Taipei.

Backside line

As of early 2026, Starlux Airways plans to launch service to Phoenix. It is a big win for Arizona, because it’s the state’s first nonstop frequently scheduled hyperlink to Asia. How cool to see Starlux lastly including a path to america that isn’t served by China Airways or EVA Air.

What do you make of Starlux launching Phoenix flights?