Wow: Starlux Airlines Adds Phoenix Route, Airport’s First Link To Asia

Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines has revealed its next destination in the United States (thanks to @IshrionA for flagging this), and it’s not what you’d necessarily expect. It’s also the first destination in the United States which isn’t served by at least one of Taiwan’s two other global carriers (China Airlines and EVA Air).

Starlux launching Taipei to Phoenix flights as of February 2026

While flights aren’t yet on sale, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) has announced that Starlux Airlines intends to launch nonstop flights there from Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE). The route is expected to launch in early 2026, with 3-4x weekly frequencies. The flight is supposed to go on sale once final regulatory approval has been received.

The 7,104-mile flight will be the carrier’s longest route to date. As is the case on all of the carrier’s routes to the United States, this will be flown by an Airbus A350-900. That plane is equipped with 306 seats, including four first class seats, 26 business class seats, 36 premium economy seats, and 240 economy seats. I’ve reviewed Starlux’s excellent A350 business class.

Phoenix will be Starlux’s fifth destination in the United States, complementing flights to Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego broke the news, and shared that this comes as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plans to invest $165 billion into its Phoenix facilities. As she explains:

“Phoenix’s first non-stop flight to Asia reflects the incredible strides we’ve made with our local economy, and our emergence as an international city. TSMC’s historic investment in Phoenix has brought thousands of high wage jobs and boosted our reputation as a semiconductor hub, and now it’s helping increase air service demand.”

Here’s what Starlux Airlines Chairman K.W. Chang had to say about this announcement:

“I knew from the moment I set foot in Phoenix that STARLUX should make the investment to fly here. Not only is the growth of business between Taipei and Phoenix staggering, it’s a perfect match for our level of service. We are proud and honored to be the first carrier to provide nonstop Asia service for the Phoenix community.”

My take on Starlux’s latest long haul expansion

Up until this point, all of Starlux Airlines’ routes to the United States have been to markets that are already served by China Airlines, EVA Air, or both. On the one hand, I understand why they’re replicating those markets, because they’re ones with a lot of demand to Taiwan and beyond. On the other hand, it’s also fun to see some innovation.

In this case, Starlux isn’t just serving a market that doesn’t have service from Taiwan’s other carriers, but it’s a market that doesn’t have any service to Asia. So this is a massive win for the local community.

Now, it’s worth remembering that Starlux has a partnership with Alaska Airlines, and Starlux wants to join the oneworld alliance (though it remains to be seen if that comes to fruition, given the interests of various airlines).

With Starlux flying to Phoenix, you’d certainly think that an American partnership would make sense, given the connectivity that opens up. At the same time, without mutual alliance membership (at a minimum), I think it’s unlikely we’ll see much in the way of connectivity, especially since American has its own transpacific joint venture with Japan Airlines. In other words, American doesn’t actually want people taking this flight, as things currently stand.

Now I’m curious to see if China Airlines and EVA Air match Starlux’s service. It’s not like the airlines have connectivity in Phoenix, though they do have more established networks to destinations in Asia beyond Taipei.

Bottom line

As of early 2026, Starlux Airlines plans to launch service to Phoenix. This is a huge win for Arizona, as it’s the state’s first nonstop regularly scheduled link to Asia. How cool to see Starlux finally adding a route to the United States that isn’t served by China Airlines or EVA Air.

What do you make of Starlux launching Phoenix flights?