Starlux drops First Class from its Singapore route
Starlux drops First Class from its Singapore route
Back in June 2023, Taiwanese full-service carrier Starlux introduced its brand new four-class Airbus A350 aircraft on the daily Singapore – Taipei route, featuring a four-seat First Class cabin that was also available for booking on the four-hour flights, as well as for those on connecting itineraries all the way to and from the USA.
The news also brought a welcome upgrade to Business Class, replacing the stylish, high-standard regional A330neo cabin with an improved version – Starlux’s latest and even more premium long-haul Business Class on the A350, with closing privacy doors.
Unfortunately, as we noted last year, Starlux began to quietly downgrade some of its daily Singapore flights to the Airbus A321neo, swapping its top-tier A350 cabins for the airline’s most basic offering – a narrow-body 2-2 configuration on multiple dates.
The latest schedule update sadly confirms that the Starlux A350 – and with it, First Class – is permanently off the Singapore route.
(Photo: YourTravelTV)
However, all is not lost as the Airbus A330neos are set to return in the coming months.
Recent Starlux Singapore operation
Starlux was consistently using its Airbus A350 on the Singapore – Taipei route on a daily basis from June 2023 through to 16th July 2024, after which there was been some switching between the Airbus A350 and Airbus A321neo, a situation that lasted until 6th January 2025.
Since 7th January 2025, it’s been solely Airbus A321neo operation on this route, a situation that continues through to the end of the northern winter schedule on 29th March 2025.
(Photo: Starlux)
That’s meant a return to the airline’s narrow-body 2-2 configuration in Business Class on this route.
(Photo: Melvin)
These Collins Aerospace (formerly B/E Aerospace) Diamond Seats still convert into a fully flat bed, but privacy is somewhat lacking compared to the airline’s wide-body layouts.
Thankfully, Starlux will reinstate wide-body service on the Singapore – Taipei route at the start of the summer season on 30th March 2025. However, instead of the Airbus A350 making a return, the route will see the regional configuration Airbus A330neo making a comeback, on a permanent basis.
(Photo: Safran Seats)
The latest schedule
Here’s how Starlux flights between Singapore and Taipei look between now and the late March this year, with Airbus A321neo aircraft in use.
Starlux
Singapore ⇄ Taipei
Now – 29th March 2025
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
 | JX771 A321neo | ||||||||
| TPE 08:25 | SIN 13:25 | ||||||||
| JX771 A321neo | ||||||||
| TPE 08:40 | SIN 13:25 | ||||||||
| JX772 A321neo | ||||||||
| SIN 14:45 | TPE 19:25 | ||||||||
From 30th March the Airbus A330neo takes over, as outlined below.
Starlux
Singapore ⇄ Taipei
30th March 2025 – 25th October 2025
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
| JX771 A330neo | ||||||||
| TPE 08:00 | SIN 12:40 | ||||||||
| JX772 A330neo | ||||||||
| SIN 14:00 | TPE 18:50 | ||||||||
For the northern winter season from late October 2025 the Airbus A330neo remains, with minor timing changes, as shown below.
Starlux
Singapore ⇄ Taipei
From 26th October 2025
| Days | |||||||||
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S | |||
| JX771 A330neo | ||||||||
| TPE 08:45 | SIN 13:25 | ||||||||
| JX772 A330neo | ||||||||
| SIN 14:45 | TPE 19:25 | ||||||||
The A330neo cabin is a good one
While it’s a shame to report on the withdrawal of the long-haul Airbus A350 and its First Class cabin from Starlux flights on this route, the Airbus A330neo is definitely a nice step up from the current Airbus A321neo operation.
Starlux was the launch customer for the Safran Skylounge Core Business Class seats on this aircraft type, with 28 seats in a 1-2-1 layout, all offering direct aisle access.
The stylish Starlux finish was by BMW Designworks.
(Photo: Starlux)
Seats have a 20-inch width and convert to a flat bed, with personal 17.3-inch 4K UHD touchscreen in-flight entertainment, including bluetooth pairing.
On the power front, universal AC, USB-A and USB-C sockets are provided, as is a wireless charging pad on the side console.
On the A330neo, the ‘A’ and ‘K’ solo window seats have the best privacy, since the storage console shields passengers from the aisle slightly, with the seat itself positioned closer to the window.
(Image: aeroLOPA)
There’s a 17.3″ 4K Ultra-HD in-flight entertainment screen with bluetooth audio connection, plus wireless device charging at every seat. Free Wi-Fi is also offered to Business Class passengers.
(Photo: Safran Seats)
(Photo: Safran Seats)
Large retractable dividers between the middle seat pairs provide good privacy, though for couples do note that all the seats in this configuration are staggered (so there are no ‘honeymoon’ pairs at alternate rows).
In Economy Class on the A330neo, Starlux is offering a slightly more comfortable experience compared to its A321neo.
(Photo: Starlux)
Seat pitch is one inch better at 32 inches, while the seat-back in-flight entertainment screens are 13.3-inch 4K Ultra-HD versions, compared to 10.6-inch Standard Definition (720p) on the A321neo.
(Photo: Starlux)
Seating is in a 2-4-2 layout, typical for the A330 family and perfect for couples who should have a wide range of window pairs to choose from.
In-seat power is also available, and there’s free basic Wi-Fi, for text messages only.
Where is Starlux offering First Class?
With Singapore off the list of First Class routes for Starlux, and Ho Chi Minh the latest addition, here’s the latest breakdown of routes where you’ll find this cabin offered.
- Bangkok (selected JX741/742 and JX745/746 flights)
- Ho Chi Minh (JX711/712, daily)
- Los Angeles (JX1/2/5/6, all operating days)
- Osaka (JX822/823, daily)
- San Francisco (JX12/11, daily)
- Seattle (JX31/32, all operating days)
- Tokyo Narita (JX800/801/802/803, daily)
(Photo: Starlux)
Who is Starlux?
In case you’re not familiar, Starlux was founded in 2018, aiming to redefine luxury travel in Taiwan’s aviation scene – as a sort of “Emirates of Asia”.
The airline was the brainchild of K.W. Chang, a former EVA Air chairman and commercial pilot, who envisioned a boutique full-service carrier with a strong emphasis on premium experiences.
The airline’s launch service was between Taipei and Macau on 23rd January 2020, which might have been the worst timing imaginable, just as the COVID-19 outbreak was starting.
By March 2020 Starlux had been forced to suspend all its operations, though it managed to restore limited flights around three months later.
Now the carrier is in significant growth mode, with over 25 aircraft in its fleet, and it has quickly built a reputation for high quality service and a stylish, modern cabin design.
(Image: Starlux)
Expansion has included the introduction of long-haul flights to North America in 2023, with its flagship Airbus A350s.
Positioned as Taiwan’s answer to premium carriers like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, Starlux continues to grow its network and will certainly be one to watch over the coming years.
Starlux now operates from Changi T2
Starlux shifted its Singapore Changi Airport operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 in August last year.
That’s seen the carrier allocate the SATS Premier Lounge in T2 for use by its Business Class passengers – not the greatest facility at the airport by any stretch of the imagination, as we covered in our review here.
(Photo: MainlyMiles)
Will Starlux join Oneworld?
In good news for frequent flyers, Starlux has announced its intention to apply for membership in the Oneworld alliance by the end of 2025.
This would enhance the airline’s global connectivity, while offering a wider range of mileage earning and redemption options.
If successful, Starlux would become the first Taiwanese carrier to join Oneworld, since China Airlines and EVA Air are affiliated with SkyTeam and Star Alliance, respectively.
While there’s no timeline in store yet, and Oneworld founder airline Cathay Pacific could potentially veto Starlux’s entry into the alliance given the proximity and overlap of its own market, signs are still positive for the time being, so watch this space for future developments.
In the meantime, it’s not possible to redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles when flying on Starlux, which is a possibility for some of our readers who buy Alaska miles in their regular sales.
Summary
Starlux’s recent transition from the Airbus A350 to the A321neo on its Singapore – Taipei route marks the end of its First Class service at Changi, plus an unfortunate downgrade for the cabin experience in Business Class and Economy Class too.
However, the impending return of the A330neo in late March 2025 reinstates wide-body comfort to very acceptable standards for a four-hour flight, even though First Class isn’t part of the mix.
It still remains possible to book or redeem Starlux First Class from Taipei to the USA, and on selected Asia-Pacific routes including to and from Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh and Tokyo.
on Starlux drops First Class from its Singapore route