Airbus Updates No.4505

 

STARLUX orders 10 more Airbus A350-1000s

Paris, France, 18 June 2025 – STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has signed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of ten additional A350-1000 aircraft. The agreement was signed at the Paris Airshow by STARLUX Airlines CEO Glenn Chai and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business.

STARLUX Airlines already operates an all-Airbus fleet of 28 aircraft including the A350-900, the A330neo and the A321neo. The Taiwanese airline has on order 30 aircraft including the A350F freighters and A350-1000.

“Expanding our international fleet with additional A350-1000s is a significant step toward reinforcing our global presence and enhancing connectivity across key markets,” said Glenn Chai. “This aircraft offers efficiency, range and comfort, making it the perfect fit for our strategy to optimise long-haul operations while delivering an exceptional passenger experience. As we continue to strengthen our international network, the A350-1000 will play an important role in driving growth, sustainability and operational flexibility.” 

“STARLUX Airlines’ decision to add more A350-1000s to its growing fleet reaffirms the aircraft’s standing as the benchmark for long-haul operations. With its advanced design and fuel-efficient performance, the A350-1000 Long Range Leader enables airlines to optimise routes while reducing environmental impact,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry. “We are pleased to strengthen our long-standing partnership with STARLUX Airlines as they expand their global footprint and connect more destinations with efficiency and comfort.” 

The A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and has set new standards for intercontinental travel. It offers the longest range capability of any commercial airliner in production today. Powered by the latest generation of Rolls-Royce engines, the aircraft is designed to fly up to 9,700 nautical miles / 18,000 kilometres non-stop, using 25% less fuel than previous generation types and with a similar reduction in carbon emissions.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A350 is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

The A350 Family has received more than 1,390 orders from 60 customers worldwide, with more than 650 aircraft currently in the fleets of 38 operators, flying primarily on long-haul routes.

Airbus Updates No.4447

 

Supply chain issues delay Airbus A350F EIS to 2027

Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) may experience delays in the introduction of the A350F due to supply chain problems, Reuters reported citing industry sources. The rollout of new freighter aircraft could be delayed by up to a year from the current schedule, which assumes a 2026 entry into service.

The manufacturer has not publicly commented on possible issues in the introduction and production of the A350F. The manufacturer is expected to announce updates on the issue on February 20, 2025, when it publishes its annual results.

Airbus is struggling to increase the production rate of the A350 due to issues with Spirit AeroSystems, a major US supplier that has been experiencing issues with quality control. Industry sources have said that Spirit AeroSystems cannot deliver a sufficient number of fuselage parts for the A350F, which is the reason for the potential late rollout of the freighter.

The issues will also likely prevent Airbus from ramping up its current production rate of passenger A350s, which is six aircraft per month.

At least nine airlines have ordered the A350F, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. Since Airbus announced the A350F programme in 2021, it has received orders for 66 airframes. Etihad Airways and Starlux Airlines are the biggest customers of the type, each ordering ten aircraft. Future operators also include Air France, CMA CGM Air Cargo, Cathay Pacific, Martinair (Netherlands), Silk Way West Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, while Air Lease Corporation has ordered seven aircraft and three were ordered by (an) undisclosed customer(s).

Airbus Updates No.4431

STARLUX Airlines doubles Airbus A350F-order

On 9 January 2025, Airbus announced that STARLUX Airlines has decided to excercise its options it held for the A350F, doubling its order. The airline now has a total of ten freighters on order. STARLUX announced its first order for the A350F back in February 2024.

Airbus' first A350F is currently being assembled in Toulouse-Blagnac and is expected to make its first flight this year. Entry into commercial service is expected for 2027.

STARLUX Airlines is currently only operating passenger-flights with an all-Airbus fleet that is made-up of thirteen A321neos, five A330-900s, and eight A350-900s. Next to the ten A350Fs, the airline has open orders with Airbus for three A330-900s, four A350-900s, and eight A350-1000s.

Illustration by Airbus.

Airbus Updates No.4232

 

STARLUX orders freighters and more A330neos

On 21 February 2024, on the second day of the Singapore Air Show, Airbus and STARLUX signed an agreement for additional Airbuses. The airline has ordered three more A330-900s but also five A350Fs, its first dedicated freighters. It also has taken options on five more A350Fs.

STARLUX was established in 2018 and launched operations in January 2020. It currently operates a fleet of thirteen A321neos, four A330-900s, and four A350-900s. The airline calls Taipei-Taoyuan International Airport as its home. It flies from there to destinations in Guam, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United States and Vietnam

Airbus Updates No.3910

 Starlux starts Airbus A350 operations

Starlux Airlines A350-900© Starlux Airlines

20.01.2023 - 01:18 UTC

Starlux Airlines (JX, Taipei Taoyuan) has announced the start of A350-900 revenue flights on January 20, 2023. The airline's pair of Airbus widebodies will begin flying between Taipei and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Taipei and Macau International on that date, with the aircraft also operating flights to Tokyo Narita and Los Angeles International over the next few months.

The airline, which already has a fleet of A321-200NX and A330-900Ns flying around Southeast and Northeast Asia, began operations in January 2020. It took delivery of its first A350-900 - B-58501 (msn 480) - on October 26, 2022, and received its second on January 5 - B-58502 (msn 557). ch-aviation fleets ownership data indicates both planes are company owned.

According to releases on Starlux's social media, Starlux's twice daily roundtrip flights between Taipei and Bangkok will switch from A330-900Ns to A350-900s on January 20. The daily A321-200NX roundtrip flight between Taipei and Macau is also switching over to the A350-900N on January 20 and going double daily from February 1, with the A350-900 operating both services.

According to ch-aviation schedules data, Starlux Airlines operates two roundtrip flights a day between Taipei and Tokyo Narita, one operated by an A330-900N and the other by the A321-200NX. From March 1, the A350-900 will take over the A330-900N operated service, JX800/801. Starlux also advises the A350-900 will operate its Taipei - Los Angeles International route which is due to begin sometime in April.

The airline has a further sixteen A350-900s on order. Two more are due later this year, four are scheduled to arrive next year, and the remaining ten through to 2027. Meanwhile, Starlux Airlines also resumed flights between Taipei and Cebu this week. The daily roundtrip flights are operated by an A321-200NX and restarted on January 17.

Airbus Updates No.3780

 Starlux Takes Delivery Of Its First Airbus A330neo

The airline plans to take half of its order for eight A330neos by the end of the year.

Taiwanese carrier Starlux Airlines has taken delivery of its first of eight Airbus A330neo aircraft. The aircraft will depart Toulouse today before arriving at its new home in Taipei late tomorrow afternoon. The airline already operates the Airbus A321neo and is additionally expecting some A350 aircraft.

Starlux Airlines first took to the skies around two years ago. It seemed that the airline was launched at the worst time, as the airline was forced to suspend flights just two months later due to the COVID-19 crisis. Despite its initial difficulties, the airline could weather the storm and is getting ready to expand its offerings.

The first A330neo for Starlux

Starlux Airlines is today taking delivery of its first Airbus A330neo. The aircraft is registered as B-58301 and is the first of eight that the airline intends to lease. Three more of these aircraft are expected to be delivered to the carrier by the end of the year. Additionally, the airline's first Airbus A350 will be delivered in the third quarter of the year.

Commenting on the delivery, the airline's Chairman, K.W. Chang, remarked,

“My team and I had spent much time evaluating and discussing the selection of the optimal mid-range aircraft to augment our current line A321neos and A350 XWBs... I am delighted to welcome our first A330neo, as it marks a key milestone in our growth. With the addition of the A330neo, STARLUX can deploy our fleet more flexibly and provide our service to more passengers over regional routes.”

According to Starlux, we won't see the A330neos carrying passengers any time soon. After arriving in Taiwan, the aircraft will initially undergo an approval process with the local regulators. Crew training will then need to be undertaken. Starlux anticipates that the jets will be ready to enter into service around May. The plane will initially focus its operations around the Asia-Pacific region. Suggested routes for the aircraft include Macau, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Bangkok, and Tokyo.

Starlux's Airbus A330neos will each feature 297 seats across two classes of travel. At the front of the jet, passengers will find 28 business class suites in a 1-2-1 layout giving every passenger direct aisle access. Of course, the seats all convert into a lie-flat bed.

Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests.

Behind the business class cabin is an economy cabin featuring 269 RECARO seats. The economy cabin is relatively spacious compared to some other widebody economy cabins. An eight abreast configuration means that seats are laid out in a 2-4-2 layout.

Every passenger will have access to their own in-flight entertainment screen. In business class, passengers have a 4K resolution 17.3-inch screen, while economy passengers have to make do with 4K on 13.3-inch screens. All passengers will be able to use Bluetooth to connect their own headset to the IFE system.

Airbus Updates No.3460

 1st A350 for Starlux Airlines painted

At Toulouse-Blagnac the first A350-900 for Starlux Airlines of Taiwan has rolled-out of the paintshop. The aircraft, currently registered F-WZGN (480), will be delivered in the coming months and become B-58501. The airline's first of eight A330-900s has also been spotted at Toulouse. This aircraft wears the test-registration F-WWYY (1981).

In total the airline has ordered ten A350-900s and eight A350-1000s. The eight A330-900s will be used as interim aircraft until sufficient A350s can be delivered. Currently, Starlux operates five A321neos and is expecting another five.

Airbus Updates No.2825

 

Starlux Airlines Increases Its Airbus A330neo Order

Taiwanese startup carrier Starlux Airlines has been forced to change its fleet plans due to the impact of the global pandemic. The new airline confirmed its order for 17 Airbus A350s last year. However, the manufacturing process is now behind schedule and delivery will not take place in 2021 as planned. The airline has decided to lease an additional eight A330-900neos, which will join the fleet next year to allow operations to continue.

Starlux will lease an extra eight Airbus A330-900neos to help grow its network. Its other aircraft have been delayed due to manufacturing issues. Photo: Airbus

Starlux Airlines can’t seem to catch a break. The airline was forced to suspend operations just two months after it first took to the skies because of the global pandemic. Now, even though it has resumed operations, its growth plans are stalling.

Starlux only had three routes when it grounded its fleet in March. It had planned to begin taking delivery of its A350s next year with plans to expand its network. However, as manufacturing ground to a halt due to the virus outbreak, the airline is now not expecting delivery until 2022 at the earliest.

To solve the fleet issue, the airline has confirmed it will lease eight additional A330-900neos. With delivery scheduled before the end of next year, Starlux will be the first Taiwanese airline to fly the A330-900neo.

Starlux plans to use its Airbus A350s to launch long-haul flights to the US. Photo: Airbus

Fleet Plans

Until the new order announcement, Starlux had 27 aircraft on order, including 10 A321neos, nine A3500-900, and Eight A350-1000. As well as the extra A330-900neos, the airline will take another A350-900. It had planned to use the A350s to launch routes to the US, something which will now have to wait another year.

The airline is also taking an additional three A321neos, which it uses on regional routes. These aircraft will allow Starlux to expanded its Intra-Asia network over the coming years. The airline is planning on taking delivery of all the planes before 2024, but with manufacturing issues, this may slide to a later date.

A growing airline

Although it was forced to ground operations just months after takeoff, Starlux hasn’t been put off. It is being forced to rethink its plans, and indeed, it will have to push a few dates, but its plans for growth remain virtually unchanged.StarLux is still aiming to launch its long-haul flights to the US within the next few years. It will face healthy competition from other carriers in the area, including Chinese airlines such as China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China.

However, so far, the airline’s luxury offerings have proven popular with passengers. And the airline is already showing how good it is at adapting. As well as snapping up orders for new planes, the airline has recently launched several “flights to nowhere.” The flights have proven to be so popular with passengers that it is launching more in October.

The airline’s ability to adapt to the industry’s current state and changing regulations bodes well for the airline’s success. Starlux is bucking the trend by being one of the very few new airlines which have chosen to focus on the high-end market. Most new airlines are low-cost, no-frills. If Starlux can make itself a success, it might inspire more luxury airlines to try and break into the market.

Airbus Updates No.2309

Taiwan's Starlux Airlines adds first Airbus A321NEO aircraft

Starlux Airlines Airbus A321-200NX © Airbus

30.10.2019 - 20:40 UTC

Starlux Airlines (SJX, Taipei Taoyuan) has taken delivery of its first aircraft, an A321neo, as part of its AOC certification drive.

In a statement, the Taiwanese start-up confirmed B-58201 (msn 9208) had been ferried to Taipei Taoyuan from Hamburg Finkenwerder via Dubai World Central over the course of October 26/27.

A further two aircraft of the type, also on lease from GECAS, are expected to arrive through January next year in time for its planned January 23, 2020, launch with Macau Int'l, Penang, and Da Nang services initially. Starlux expects to secure its AOC and all other requisite licences in mid-December.

As previously reported, Starlux has a total of ten A321neo due from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) through 2021.

Airbus Updates No.2094

Taiwan's Starlux Airlines commits to A350 order

Illustration of Starlux Airlines Airbus A350-900 © Airbus

04.03.2019 - 13:42 UTC

Starlux Airlines (Taipei Taoyuan) has firmed up a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) for seventeen A350s.

The Taiwanese start-up signed the tentative agreement for five A350-900s and twelve A350-1000 during the 2018 Farnborough Airshow.

An airline spokesman Nieh Kuo-wei has since told Focus Taiwan that the commitment came after seven months of negotiations. A formal signing ceremony will take place in Taipei on March 19.

The widebody jets will be delivered from the end of 2021 to the end of 2024.

In addition to the A350s, Starlux has also secured ten A321neo on lease with the first to be delivered by GECAS in October and the rest through the middle of 2022.

Starlux expects to complete certification later this year in time to launch operations during the first quarter of 2020.

Airbus Updates No.1884

STARLUX AIRLINES ORDERS AIRBUS A350XWB AIRCRAFTs

STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has selected the all-new A350 XWB for its future long haul fleet, following the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of 17 aircraft, comprising 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s. The agreement was announced at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK by Chang Kuo-wei, founder and Chairman of STARLUX Airlines and Eric Schulz, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer.

The news follows a decision by the airline earlier this year also to select Airbus for its regional single aisle fleet, with a plan to finalise leases for 10 A321neo aircraft from third party lessors by the end of the year.

STARLUX Airlines is a new full-service airline based in Taipei and founded by Taiwanese aviation veteran Chang Kuo-wei, former Chairman of EVA Air. The carrier will develop a network spanning destinations across Asia and long haul services to North America. The carrier will launch regional operations in early 2020, followed by long haul services early in 2022.

The A350 XWB is an all new family of mid-size wide-body long-haul airliners shaping the future of air travel, featuring the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fiber fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs.

The Airspace cabin which, on top of the aircraft spaciousness and quietness, provides better ambience, design and services, contributing to superior levels of comfort and well-being, and setting new standards in terms of flight experience for passengers in all classes.

Airbus Updates No.1830

Taiwan's Starlux Airlines to add maiden A321neo in 3Q19

Illustration of Starlux Airlines Airbus A321-200 © Starlux Airlines

23 hours ago

Starlux Airlines (Taipei Taoyuan) founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chang Kuo-wei says he expects the start-up to take delivery of its first A321neo in September/October 2019, the Central News Agency has reported.

During a press conference to mark the formal unveiling of his new airline in Taipei this week, Chang said he would sign leasing contracts for ten aircraft of the type later this year. Having secured its initial approvals and business licence from the Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Starlux will now pursue its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) which Chang hopes to secure in time for an early 2020 launch.

With a launch fleet of three A321neo, Starlux will focus on flights to Japan as well as Southeast and Northeast Asian destinations. The first of fourteen widebody aircraft, whose type has yet to be confirmed but which has been reported to be either B777-300(ER)s or B787-10s, will deliver by the end of 2021. Longhaul flights to the US West Coast are expected to start around 2021/22.

Given limited potential in Taiwan's point-to-point market, Chang said Starlux would also focus on developing Taipei Taoyuan into a transit hub with its regional and intercontinental routes feeding into one another.

As such, by late 2024, Starlux expects to operate a fleet of up to 24 aircraft, serving over 20 destinations in Asia and North America.