Review: Starlux Business Class Airbus A350 [LAX -TPE]
Starlux Business class on their A350 from Los Angeles to Teipei offers a ‘stellar’ pacific long haul experience. A comfortable ultra-modern seat, exceptional service, and delicious food create one of the best business class products out there.
Overall Rating:
Starlux is a relatively new airline that I understand was founded by a former EVA Airlines chairman. Recently flying Teipei to Seattle on EVA Air’s 787 Business Class, I was looking forward to see how this new airline stacks up.
This flight was the first leg of a Los Angeles to Singapore trip I had booked for heading to Indonesia. This Los Angeles to Teipei leg was on their Airbus A350-900.
All in all this experience was a treat – The ultra-modern seat, friendly staff, and exceptional cuisine rank Starlux, for me, as one of the top global carriers (With only 1 or 2 real minor gripes).
In This Post:
How I Booked Starlux Business Class
Starlux A350 Business Class Pre Flight
-Starlux A350 Business Class Lounge
-Starlux A350 Business Class Boarding
Starlux A350 Business Class In Flight
-Starlux A350 Business Class Seat
-Starlux A350 Business Class In Flight Entertainment
-Starlux A350 Business Class Meals
-Starlux A350 Business Class In Flight Service
Bottom Line
Photo Gallery
How I Booked Starlux Business Class
This flight was the first leg of a Los Angeles to Singapore ticket I booked through the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan using 85,000 Alaska Airlines Miles and 12 dollars.
While Alaska Airlines miles are relatively difficult to earn (no transfer partners outside of the Bilt card) I do keep a card open for the Companion Fare and a stock of miles. This route I have typically seen for 150-250k on the Alaska Mileage Plan so I was ecstatic when this availability popped into my inbox thanks to seats.aero.
My home airport is Seattle so I did have to buy a positioning flight to get myself down to LAX, but ultimately all worth it to fly 14 hours overnight in comfort.
Starlux A350 Business Class Lounge
I was informed I would have access to the Qantas Business Class lounge, which is also the Oneworld lounge. LAX sadly does not have any Priority Pass lounges. Last time I was here I had access to the Qantas First Class lounge on a JAL first class ticket, so will be curious how the tier below compares.
The lounge is located to the right and up an escalator to level 5.
Qantas / Oneworld Business Class Lounge | LAX [Tom Bradley International Terminal]
This is a large, ‘donut’ shaped lounge built around sort of an opening in the center. It was very busy at 6pm with what appeared to be 3 or 4 Qantas flights departing that evening. I believe some of them use the A380 so that especially may explain the crowding.
There are boarding calls over the loudspeaker, as well as shower rooms.
Lounge is shared by Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Sky Priority and other Oneworld Alliance carriers.
Moody bar area with self pour wine and bar service
Loungy seating area just off of the bar
Lots of seating options just passed the bar area, with glass windows overlooking a central (empty) atrium.
More seating near to the restaurant/food area.
Sneaky back section with ‘the good chairs’
Crackers, cheese, and veggies
Food spread changed to a bit of an ‘asian flare’ as those on Qantas fights departed
Self serve noodle bar
Showers were quite busy up until the Qantas flights departed, and after 830-9p or so there was no line. Showers were clean but could use a little maintenance. Can never really complain about an airport lounge shower though.
Starlux A350 Business Class Boarding
Due to ‘ground maintenance’ there was about a 30 minute boarding delay, with boarding starting at 10:20. Ground staff organized people into zones in the terminal area away from the gate which was great for crowding and crowd control. More airlines should do this.
Unfortunately only one jet bridge was used and priority boarding was given to families with young children and folks with mobility issues before business or first class, so there was a bit of standing around.
Starlux A350 Business Class Seat
The seat itself is gorgeous, with lots of storage and probably the largest screen I’ve seen for a business class product. It is herringbone style with little sliding doors for extra privacy from the aisle.
The aisle arm rest is retractable, and when extended is a little springy which makes it, I think, a bit more comfortable.
Pillows, slippers and amenity kit awaiting me at my seat 4K, as well as probably the largest screen I have ever seen for a business class product.
Covered storage in the arm rest for smaller items, or a phone. With a lower rubberized arm rest sized perfectly for a phone.
Cavernous cubby with a wireless charging pad. Lots of room (two pairs of headphones for scale). Media remote and charging ports are located inside.
Cleverly designed cubby door allows for the closing of the door, while keeping the media center remote outside, as well as any personal devices still charging
Plenty of adjustable seat options, including a massage feature and ‘Zero G’ which we will be exploring later.
The advertised ‘Zero G’ mode. I don’t think I can go back. All planes need this – this is the most comfortable way to sit.
Shortly after sitting a welcome beverage of a strawberry banana smoothie was passed out, along with a warm (Surely it was supposed to be hot) towel. The warm towels will be a theme on this flight.
While I do feel doors that don’t go to the ceiling are a bit of a gimmick, having them closed does add to the ‘cocoon’ feel. An impressive amount of privacy in a business class product.
Starlux A350 Business Class In Flight Entertainment
This is the first plane I’ve been on with bluetooth connectivity to their IFE which is a game changer. A refreshing change is that announcements do not play over the Bluetooth. Whether this is the case for the wired headphones or just Starlux policy I am not sure. But I am loving it.
There allegedly was wifi on board, but I was unable to log in to use it.
A good selection of Western movies, both older and newer. On probably the largest screen I have used on a business class product. Wow.
Starlux A350 Business Class Meals
The menu was pretty hefty and had several pages of wines, food and drink. Including a, presumably, fancy selection of teas. As well as a pretty extensive wines list.
Upon sitting, a welcome drink of a strawberry banana smoothie and hot towel (warm really) was passed out. Dinner and breakfast orders were confirmed and a drink order taken before departing. Flight attendants were also around to pass out pajamas and a hydrating face mask.
Pushback was 10:57 and dinner service began as soon as we reached cruising altitude.
Dinner
The table was set by the FAs for service. And one was around with a pour of your pre dinner drink order. The table itself is quite sturdy, and does slide a bit back under the screen however some folks may find it difficult to exit the seat during meal service. Fortunately the aisle armrest does go all the way to help facilitate a quick escape.
The meals were brought in courses and all was delicious – possibly some of the best food I have had on an airplane, the main especially.
Starter of a chicken liver terrine and a rhubarb compote. The chicken liver was not for me but the compote was really nice. People with a more … refined … palate may like the terrine.
Potato and leek soup, which was fantastic.
USDA Prime beef tenderloin, cauliflower puree, some grilled veg, with a whiskey peppercorn sauce. Probably the best steak I’ve ever had on a plane, somehow cooked perfectly medium/medium rare. Tender with a great sauce. I was especially impressed by the grilled vegetables which were both firm and had a good char flavor.
Fruit plates are somehow always a little disappointing. The ice cream was a bit too frozen, but really nice.
After dinner the FAs are around with what are supposed to be hot towels. This one is warm at best, cold at worst. Maybe they are having a problem with the towel warmer or something. Not sure. They also offer to make up the beds with a comfortable mattress topper.
The provided PJs are surprisingly good quality. Thick, but light and breathable. My only comparisons are the Eva Air Business Class Pajamas, and the JAL First Class ones, but I felt these are better than both of those. Its always nice to see pajamas provided on these flights.
Ordered myself a cheese plate before settling in.
Breakfast
Cabin lights came on at about 2:45a (Taiwan time) with about 2:40 left to destination. A hot towel (actually hot this time) was passed out along with a mixed berry smoothie wake up drink.
I went with the Tiawaneese congee which was fantastic. I was assured if i needed more congee, there was plenty.
Another hot towel was provided after breakfast, and with about an hour to go I settled in to Zero-G mode and donned the provided hydrating face mask.
With about 30 minutes until decent, the FAs are around to put away the mattresses and pass out some candies
Starlux A350 Business Class In Flight Service
The service on this flight was impeccable. Flight attendants were attentive, polite, and efficient. Meal service was timely, with dishes brought out and cleared in a timely manner, lavatories constantly kept clean, as well as regular non-invasive check ups to ensure passengers have everything they need.
The only gripe I had was the inconsistent hot towel service. Some towels were warm, some were only partly wet, some were cold even, some were hot but only a little wet. I’m not sure what the issue was – be it faulty equipment or lack of attention to detail but it was the only real small, but annoying, reoccurrence on this flight.
Aside from that, even among the already high standard of many Asian carriers, I felt this crew stood out as exceptional
Bottom Line
The hot towel conundrum aside, I was thoroughly impressed by Starlux’s business class. The hard product and food especially set in my mind a new standard as to what should be offered on these long haul flights. The service as well was exceptional, up there with my experiences on JAL and Singapore. Flight attendants were friendly, courteous and quick – both during service and during down times (which future me will find is one of my biggest gripes of Turkish Air).
All in all, I will certainly be looking for more rewards availabilities for this airline for my trans-pacific trips. As we come in for a landing, I find myself looking forward to the next leg – a Teipei to Singapore route on their A321 Neo in a business class ‘lie flat’. Wow.