Starlux Airlines First Class – 7 Secrets About Redefined Luxury

This post is about the experience on Starlux Airlines first class. If luxury is defined by exclusivity, prestige, comfort, and privacy, then Starlux Airlines undoubtedly redefines the concept. A world-class experience is curated for every Starlux Airlines First Class passenger, from the point of ticketing through the airport and inflight experience, extending seamlessly even into the post-flight journey.

I partner with Brady Yu, the co-founder of TripPlus, to embark on a 5-week journey to savor five unparalleled first-class experiences featured on “Brady’s Choice“. It showcases the pinnacle of luxury travel with the finest First-Class Airlines.

This week we start off with Starlux Airlines how they redefine the luxury and showcase the best of Taiwan. 

Prestige from the moment of ticketing

Starlux Airlines’ first-class experience began with a thoughtful call shortly after booking. They confirmed details closer to departure and offered seamless services. 

Traveling from Los Angeles? We enjoyed P/S Private Terminal convenience at Los Angeles – returned rental cars directly, avoiding LAX chaos. Starlux Airlines elevated our journey with their commitment to smooth, tranquil travel that every first-class passenger desired most.

The cost for a single use of the P/S Private Suite alone exceeded $4,500 USD, demonstrating a level of care and pampering for passengers that outshone any competition.

The freedom and flexibility within your private sanctuary

Pre-Flight Experience

Departing from Los Angeles, first class passengers could enjoy the Private Suite facilities as early as three hours before takeoff. Did three hours sound like a lot? Not at all… because the array of possibilities was simply endless!

With two blissful hours to spare, I sipped on champagne and savored caviar, opted for a soothing massage to ease the fatigue of my journey. Wanting to feel refreshed, I took a quick shower to set my mood for a restful flight ahead.

And when hunger struck, a glance at the exquisite menu offered a tempting choice of light snacks to indulge in.

But here is the best part: forget about worrying over forgotten essentials? Within the confines of the Private Suite, every necessity was at your fingertips – from toiletries to neck pillows, phone chargers, and beyond.

When departing from the Private Terminal, the staff guided us through an exclusive TSA security check.

With meticulous timing, this process ensured no overlap with other passengers, allowing for maximum privacy. Upon completing the screening, a vehicle promptly arranged to transport us to the tarmac.

They thoughtfully provided a large fridge stocked with various beverages right at the boarding point. Every detail, even the short journey from security to boarding, is carefully designed.

Starlux Airlines truly invested generously in its first-class amenities.

Prestige crafted by the people with the empathy

Boarding

Starlux Airlines ingeniously crafted a distinct separation between first class and business class through a clever boarding sequence and layout design.

I boarded ahead of all the others which I expected. The pleasant surprise was I was escorted to the ‘rear’ section of the boarding gate by ground staff. It took a while before other passengers gradually entered. The did not pass through or draw attention to the first-class area. The airlines showed their attention to detail in every inch.

Seats

Starlux Airlines’ first-class seats were slightly narrower and shorter than those of other airlines, while still providing ample comfort for smaller-framed individuals. However, taller passengers might find the experience akin to that of a business class seat.

Facing winter headwinds en route from North America to Asia, compounded by common ground delays at LAX Airport, our flight’s arrival was over an hour behind schedule.

This not only squeezed our already tight layover but also challenged my plan to clear immigration, retrieve luggage, and continue onward.

Despite the reassuring presence of Starlux Airlines’ team at Taoyuan Airport, I harbored concerns about any unforeseen hiccups and the possibility of missing our connecting flight.

Prestige = a worry-free total solution

360-degree Solution

At this moment, hats off to them!

I cannot help but wonder: Did Starlux ever think about this scenario?

It seems they gave their frontline staff the authority to promise this to first-class passengers. It is just what first-class passengers needed: no more uncertainty, no more ‘holding their breath.

Stepping off the plane, Starlux Airlines’ team seamlessly took charge, ensuring every detail was handled with precision. Guided through the airport, the care began from the terminal and lasted until our next flight. Experiencing such attentiveness on a Taiwan-based airline filled us with pride.

But the tale continues… On the next leg, the cabin manager personally apologized for the previous delay.

We finally arrived in Japan and our baggage awaited, courtesy of diligent local staff. Once more, the gratitude flowed from Starlux Airlines, reaffirming their commitment to exceeding expectations.

The finest steak in the sky

In-Flight Dining

Eating steak on a plane is always a bold choice. But Starlux Airlines? They mastered the art. From preparation before refrigeration to the perfect reheating process, it is like dining in a top-notch restaurant.

The only challenge? The generous 16-ounce portion might be a bit much for my late-night flight.

The caviar and crabmeat cold soup was a perfect start, with its tantalizing blend of flavors complemented by the sweetness of corn. Paired with champagne or sparkling wine, it is a refreshing choice.

While the lychee notes of the traditional method sparkling wine from Taiwan-based Weightstone Winery were charming, Bollinger La Grande Année proved to be the superior match.

Afterwards, the macarons stole the show among the dessert selection. And for those avoiding alcohol, Starlux Airlines thoughtfully provided two grape juices, a thoughtful touch.

For breakfast, while the barbecue pork (Char siu) was a bit tough, a bowl of sweet potato congee and some side dishes offered comfort.

And to stay refreshed, I stuck to water and indulged in the delightful fruit platter, bursting with freshness and flavor. It is the little touches that made dining with Starlux Airlines a hugely enjoyable experience.

Surprising wine selection with the warmth of heart

Wines & Beverages

Long have I heard of Starlux Airlines’ earnest endeavor to showcase the best of Taiwan to travelers worldwide.

On this journey from Los Angeles to Taipei, the expectation for in-flight dining was not high — unlike Japan Airlines’ London/Paris routes, they partnered with local Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine establishments.

However, the attention to detail and hospitality shone through Starlux Airlines’ wine and beverage selection.

Taiwanese products were limited by climate and terroir. They were not reaching the heights of their international competitors, such as Weightstone’s sparkling rosé and white wines. They felt short in structure, complexity, or simply flavor compared to Bollinger.

However, these are undeniably Taiwan’s finest wines. 

It is the epitome of Taiwanese hospitality to treat guests with the best produce from home. Starlux Airlines’ dedication was truly heartwarming.

Moreover, Starlux Airlines outshone competitors in the realm of serving wines.

Some airlines crew merely mentioned wines as ‘French red’ or ‘New Zealand white,’ lacking the depth of knowledge or sophistication. 

Grape variety, region, and vineyards were vital aspects of wine. Starlux Airlines’ crew stood out as the first on a Taiwanese airline who genuinely understood and articulated these nuances. Their awareness extended to the proper glassware, with the use of () Riedel glasses on board, enhancing the overall wine experience.

The best of Taiwan on the stage of the world

In addition, Starlux Airlines forged extensive partnerships with various businesses across Taiwan, displaying a curated selection of local gems for a wider audience to appreciate:

• Bar TCRC from Tainan: Collaborating on five signature cocktails, with my personal favorite being the Galaxy Biluochun（碧螺春）.
• Kailan Tea（開蘭茶）: Offering the 003 & 006 blends onboard, although the award-winning 005 Moon Ripple is regrettably absent.
• Pick & Share（田野挑茶）
• St.1 Cafe from Tainan: Estate-grade Alishan（阿里山）coffee beans.

For tea drinkers, Starlux Airlines thoughtfully curated a tea selection with options from Mariage Freres and Whittard. With a total of 15 varieties, choosing becomes a privilege – another testament to Starlux Airlines’ sincere commitment to hospitality.

How To Book Starlux Airlines Award Tickets

To access Starlux Airlines’ first-class cabin, the only option is to use their mileage program, “COSMILE.” Unfortunately, there is no co-branded credit card or transfer partner available in the U.S. (though I wish there were!)

One-way ticket from Los Angeles to Asia requires 120,000 “COSMILE” miles, a substantial investment compared to 90,000 miles for business class. Despite the higher cost, the allure of first-class luxury persuaded me to redeem 240,000 “COSMILE” miles for two tickets from Los Angeles to Japan via Taipei.

If you are still eager to experience the best of Taiwan with Starlux Airlines, you can redeem their business, premium economy, and economy classes through the Alaska Airlines “Mileage Plan” Program.

Bank of America partners with Alaska Airlines for the following credit cards for you to accumulate their miles.

Alaska Airlines® Credit Card (Click here)

Alaska Airlines® Credit Card (Click here)

Summary

Embarking on Starlux Airlines’ first-class journey, I felt the seamless collaboration of the Starlux Airlines team. They utterly understand what first-class passengers desired and how to exude the right attitude.

It is this collective effort, driven by a shared vision, which crafted an extraordinary and moving experience for me. It is also a testament to Starlux Airlines’ commitment to displaying Taiwan’s finest to the world.

All photo credits: TripPlus

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• Maria Fung is an award travel writer, miles and points strategist, coach and speaker, in specific to “self-defined “ family travel across Asia pacific. She believes miles and points help fulfill the dreams of every kind and form of families. Visit mariapointstheway.com for more miles and points tips.
• Brady Yu is an award travel aficionado and the co-founder of TripPlus. By earning and burning millions of points and miles every year, his team dedicates their blog and community to facilitate know-how sharing.

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