Alaska Airlines, in collaboration with its international partner STARLUX Airlines, has introduced a direct flight from Seattle to Taipei, marking a significant enhancement in luxury travel options. The new service, operating three times a week, offers travelers seamless connections to numerous destinations across Asia through Taipei.
This strategic alliance allows travelers to conveniently book STARLUX flights from Seattle, along with existing routes from Los Angeles and San Francisco, directly through alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines is further strengthening this partnership by initiating a codeshare agreement with STARLUX, ensuring a smooth and integrated travel experience. Additionally, Mileage Plan members can earn elite qualifying miles on every STARLUX journey and utilize their miles for travel on STARLUX flights when booking through Alaska Airlines.
“STARLUX offers a top-tier product with exceptional onboard service and access to a wide array of bucket-list destinations throughout Asia,” said Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty, alliances, and sales at Alaska Airlines. “With STARLUX’s arrival in Seattle, we will have 13 global partners serving our hometown hub, where we boast more daily flights and destinations than any other carrier on the West Coast.”
The new direct flight from Seattle to Taipei strategically lands early in the morning, facilitating convenient connections to subsequent flights across Asia. Departing Taipei in the evening, it arrives back in Seattle by mid-afternoon, optimizing the travel schedule.
Glenn Chai, CEO of STARLUX, emphasized the significance of the Seattle expansion, stating, “Seattle is not just our latest destination; it’s a pivotal milestone in our U.S. expansion strategy. For the first time, thanks to our valued partner Alaska Airlines, we can connect passengers from over 100 U.S. cities via the West Coast to Asia Pacific. We are thrilled to bridge continents, expand travel options, and deliver exceptional service to our customers.”
STARLUX commenced its inaugural transpacific flight from Taipei to Los Angeles in April 2023, followed by a new route to San Francisco in December of the same year. These cities, along with Seattle, serve as crucial entry points for Alaska Airlines, providing seamless connections to STARLUX services.
STARLUX operates its primary hub in Taipei, offering flights to over 20 Asian destinations, including cities in Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, and numerous locations in Japan. Flights between Seattle and Taipei are operated on STARLUX’s modern Airbus A350, featuring four distinct cabin classes: First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy, catering to diverse preferences across the 6,000-mile journey.
Luxury is a defining characteristic of STARLUX’s transpacific flights. Passengers can indulge in exclusive in-cabin aromatherapy, savor Michelin-starred cuisine, and enjoy private spaces in the upper classes, complete with full-flat beds and Zero G seats for ultimate relaxation. Premium Economy offers spacious RECARO seating with ample legroom, while the Economy class provides comfortable seating with leather headrests and generous space. All seats are equipped with 4K screens for personalized entertainment.
STARLUX further enhances the flight experience by offering a taste of home with its gourmet Taiwanese meals and comprehensive amenities available to all passengers. Travelers can personalize their dining experience by pre-ordering their preferred dishes online.
