STARLUX Airlines Earns Prestigious SKYTRAX 5-Star Rating for 2025
STARLUX Airlines Achieves SKYTRAX 5-Star Rating for 2025, Earns Title of World’s Most Improved Airline In a landmark achievement underscoring its rapid ascent in the global aviation industry, Taiwan-based luxury airline STARLUX has been awarded the prestigious 5-Star Airline rating for 2025 by SKYTRAX, the world’s foremost airline rating and review organization. The announcement was made during the highly anticipated 2025 World Airline Awards ceremony held in Paris, where STARLUX was also named the World’s Most Improved Airline, further solidifying its status as one of the most dynamic and customer-centric carriers in the sky.
This dual recognition is especially noteworthy considering the airline’s relative youth—it only began operations in January 2020. Within just five years, STARLUX has evolved from a boutique regional startup into a full-fledged global airline known for its elevated in-flight experience, world-class hospitality, and premium service philosophy. The awards validate the airline’s ambition to redefine luxury air travel and serve as a benchmark for excellence in Asia and beyond.
A Rapid Rise to Global Acclaim
Founded by former EVA Air chairman Chang Kuo-wei, STARLUX was envisioned from the beginning as a premium airline focused on quality over quantity. The carrier launched with a clear mission: to create an exceptional experience rooted in thoughtful design, top-tier service, and innovation. The airline’s inaugural flights connected Taipei with Southeast Asia, but it quickly expanded to include long-haul destinations, particularly in North America.
By 2025, STARLUX had established itself on major transpacific routes, offering nonstop flights between Taipei and several U.S. cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Ontario, California. And in a move signaling its continued growth and ambition, STARLUX announced a new route to Phoenix, Arizona, launching in February 2026—making it the first airline to provide direct service between Arizona and Asia.
SKYTRAX 5-Star Rating: A Benchmark for Excellence
The SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline rating is considered the pinnacle of achievement in commercial aviation. Only a select group of airlines meet the rigorous standards set by the UK-based organization, which evaluates carriers based on over 800 criteria spanning cabin cleanliness, staff professionalism, inflight entertainment, food and beverage service, seat comfort, and operational consistency.
Receiving the 5-Star designation in just five years places STARLUX among elite company. According to Edward Plaisted, CEO of SKYTRAX, the rating is a result of STARLUX’s “focus on delivering a high-quality passenger experience,” adding that the airline excels in areas such as “cabin comfort, catering, and very accomplished service delivery onboard each flight.”
The “World’s Most Improved Airline” award further underscores STARLUX’s significant progress and refinement across its service portfolio. SKYTRAX uses passenger surveys and detailed audits to determine which airlines have made the most measurable improvements in the previous 12 months. STARLUX’s win in this category demonstrates not just consistency, but momentum—something rarely seen among carriers that launched so recently.
Leadership Perspective: Gratitude, Growth, and Global Vision
STARLUX Airlines CEO Glenn Chai, who accepted the awards in Paris, emphasized that the accolades were the result of the company’s unified vision and relentless commitment to service. “Receiving the 5-Star Airline award is an honor and a tremendous encouragement for everyone at STARLUX,” said Chai. “We launched operations in 2020, so reaching this milestone highlights our team’s resilience and passion. We are thrilled and deeply grateful for our passengers’ trust and the dedication of our team.”
He further reaffirmed the airline’s strategic direction: “STARLUX will continue expanding our network and raise the bar on safety and service, offering travelers around the world a warm and refined service in the sky.”
Focus on the Passenger Experience
Every element of the STARLUX passenger journey reflects a deep commitment to premium service. The airline’s fleet is among the youngest and most technologically advanced in the industry, with Airbus A350-900 and A330neo aircraft forming the backbone of its long-haul operations. These aircraft are configured with four-class cabins: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy, each tailored with elegant interiors, generous space, and advanced inflight entertainment systems.
STARLUX has also garnered attention for its culinary partnerships and locally inspired menus, featuring gourmet meals developed with renowned chefs and beverage programs that include fine wines and signature cocktails. Personalized service, luxurious amenity kits, and exclusive lounge access all contribute to a premium flying experience that distinguishes STARLUX from many of its regional competitors.
Strategic Expansion in North America
The upcoming launch of STARLUX’s Taipei–Phoenix route is part of a broader strategy to expand its footprint in the North American market. Phoenix will become the airline’s fifth U.S. destination, and the service is expected to attract both business and leisure travelers given Arizona’s growing economic ties to Asia.
With rising demand for high-quality transpacific service, STARLUX aims to position itself as the carrier of choice for discerning passengers traveling between East Asia and the U.S. Southwest. The Phoenix route will be supported by STARLUX’s codeshare and interline agreements, enhancing connectivity to destinations across Asia and the U.S.
More Aircraft, More Destinations
To support its ambitious growth plans, STARLUX is preparing to receive additional aircraft in 2025 and 2026, further enhancing its capacity and operational reach. The airline has orders for more Airbus A350 and A330neo jets, which will be deployed on new routes and to increase frequencies on existing ones.
Alongside fleet expansion, STARLUX is investing in technology upgrades, customer service training, and sustainability initiatives, including more fuel-efficient flight operations and a focus on reducing carbon emissions.
Redefining Premium Air Travel from Asia
What distinguishes STARLUX in a competitive aviation landscape is its consistent commitment to elegance and comfort across all service classes. Rather than competing on price or volume, the airline is targeting a niche of premium travelers—both business and leisure—who value quality, reliability, and a sense of personalized luxury.
In many ways, STARLUX is positioning itself as the Emirates or Qatar Airways of East Asia, offering an experience that combines Asian hospitality with international luxury standards.