Following a successful U.S. debut in Los Angeles, Taiwan-based luxury carrier STARLUX Airlines expanded its transpacific footprint in early 2024 by introducing non-stop service between San Francisco (SFO) and Taipei (TPE). This new connection establishes San Francisco as the airline’s second U.S. hub and gives travelers an additional gateway to Taipei, with onward connections to more than 20 Asian destinations within STARLUX’s growing network.
© STARLUX Airlines
STARLUX operates flight JX011 three times weekly (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) from San Francisco International Airport, departing at 11:40 p.m. and arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at 5:30 a.m. two days later. The return service, JX012, departs Taipei at 11:20 p.m. and arrives in San Francisco at 6:15 p.m. the same day. The carrier plans to increase frequency to daily flights beginning March 20.
The San Francisco route highlights STARLUX’s commitment to expanding its U.S. presence and supports the airline’s broader growth strategy in the Pacific region.
“The launch of our San Francisco to Taiwan route tops off an amazing series of milestones for STARLUX,” said Glenn Chai, CEO of STARLUX Airlines. “By staying focused on our vision and ambition, we have expanded our network and now fly to 22 destinations. U.S. travelers now have two transpacific US-to-Taipei routes to experience luxury travel with STARLUX, and they can look forward to even more new routes as we continue to build a strong U.S. network.”
© STARLUX Airlines
The new service emphasizes a premium in-flight experience across all cabins. Meals showcase Taiwanese flavors and signature dishes, while onboard amenities aim to recreate an “at-home” atmosphere. For the San Francisco route’s first-class cabin, STARLUX introduced a special menu from Tairroir, a highly regarded Taiwanese restaurant. The menu features five contemporary French-inspired dishes infused with Taiwanese ingredients; first-class passengers on select departures can pre-order these items online. From January, the same Tairroir menu became available to first-class travelers on flights from Taipei to Los Angeles.
STARLUX operates the route with Airbus A350 aircraft configured into four cabins: first class (four seats), business class (26 seats), premium economy (36 seats) and economy (240 seats). Cabin interiors use calming earth tones and include curated in-cabin aromatherapy and Michelin-rated meal options. First and business class feature private suites with sliding doors and lie-flat seats that include a Zero G mode for enhanced comfort. Premium economy offers 40-inch Recaro seats with leg rests and footrests, while economy cabins provide leather headrests and generous seat pitch. Every passenger has access to seat-back entertainment with large 4K personal screens, ensuring an elevated travel experience across all classes.