Starlux Sees Strong Premium Demand As First A350-1000 Arrives

SINGAPORE—Starlux Airlines reports strong demand for its premium products as it prepares to increase the proportion of business-class seating on its incoming Airbus A350-1000s.

An official at the Taiwanese carrier describes 2026 as its “peak aircraft delivery” year as it prepares to welcome 14 new airframes before yearend.

Starlux and Airbus have brought the carrier’s first A350-1000 to the Singapore Airshow, ahead of the aircraft’s entry into commercial service on Feb. 10. 

The aircraft is configured with four first-class seats, 40 business-class seats, 36 premium-economy seats and 270 economy seats. Starlux is currently the only airline in Taiwan to offer a first-class product.

“First class plays a strategic role in defining our brand positioning,” says Walter Liang, Starlux's chief communications officer. “Our data shows the strongest first-class demand on the Tokyo and Los Angeles routes, both of which serve a mix of leisure and business travelers and generate higher overall yields.”

He adds that strong uptake in premium cabins reflects a growing willingness among travelers to pay more for speed, comfort and a higher-quality onboard experience.

Starlux offers first class on its long-haul North American services, including Los Angeles (LAX), as well as on selected Asian routes such as Bangkok (BKK), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Osaka Kansai (KIX) and Tokyo Narita (NRT). First class is also set to return on the airline’s Singapore service by the end of March.

According to the airline, the A350-1000 provides the scale and performance needed to support longer-haul expansion while maintaining competitiveness in premium-heavy markets. The type will initially be deployed on Taipei–Tokyo services from Feb. 10, before being introduced on other Asian and North American routes. Starlux also plans to deploy the aircraft on new European services from late 2026.

Looking ahead, 2026 will mark the airline’s heaviest delivery year to date. Starlux expects to take delivery of 14 aircraft, comprising three A321neos, five A330-900neos and six A350-1000s, bringing its total fleet to 43 aircraft. Deliveries of the A350F freighter are now expected to begin in 2028, slipping from an earlier 2027 target.