Latest news with #StarluxAirlines
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New premium flights launched between Taipei and Inland Empire
Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines has launched nonstop service between Taipei and Ontario International Airport, its fourth destination in the United States and second in Southern California. The inaugural flight landed Friday at Ontario at 5:05 p.m. and was greeted with a water cannon salute. The route is part of the airline's continued U.S. expansion, following launches in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. 'This new route is an important milestone for STARLUX,' said Walter Liang, chief passenger commercial officer. 'Ontario's strategic location within the Greater Los Angeles area positions us to better connect the diverse communities of Southern California to and from Asia in luxury and comfort.' Liang said the route gives travelers 14 flights weekly across two airports in Southern California. The greater Los Angeles area is home to more than 2.5 million Asian Americans, including large Taiwanese, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean populations, company officials said. Starlux hopes the new service will provide greater access to its network of more than two dozen destinations in Asia. The airline will operate Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the route four times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. One flight that will depart Ontario around 11 p.m. will arrive in Taipei around 4:15 a.m., two days later due to time change. Some return flights will depart in the evening from Taipei and arrive in Ontario the same day, but hours earlier than the departure, at least according to local time. During the inaugural landing, the gate-side launch ceremony included remarks by Ontario airport CEO Atif Elkadi and the director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, as well as officials from Starlux and Alaska Airlines. Starlux promotes its international service as a premium experience, offering four cabin classes and amenities such as Michelin-rated meals, aromatherapy and custom seating. 'With our new service to Ontario, we continue to redefine luxury air travel,' Liang said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Condé Nast Traveler
27-05-2025
- General
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Things to Do in Taipei, the Nature-Wrapped Heart of Taiwan
An often overlooked Asian destination, Taiwan's capital is one of those rare cities where high-tech innovation meets natural beauty—like a more affordable Tokyo, and with its own unique charm. Framed by verdant mountains and hills, the best things to do in Taipei make up a city that pulsates with energy; from the lively sizzle of night markets to the scenic hiking trails of Elephant Mountain. Food is an obsession here, with savory bowls of beef noodle soup, crispy tofu, and boba milk tea. With its Japanese influence from a colonial past, skyscrapers, and buzzing nightlife, Taipei has a futuristic flair, and yet also a reverence for old-world tradition. Taipei's accessibility also continues to grow with 2025 hotel openings like Sotetsu Grand Fresa Taipei Ximen, Episode Daan Taipei, and Capella Taipei. Air connectivity is also expanding: EVA Air is launching direct flights from Dallas in October, Etihad Airways will launch direct flights from Abu Dhabi in September, while Thai AirAsia will connect Chiang Mai to Taipei and onward to Sapporo starting June 15. Starlux Airlines is ramping up service, too, with new nonstop flights from Ontario, California to Taipei beginning June 2. Here is the best of Taipei in anticipation of its newfound access, including how to get there, the best things to do in Taipei, and where to eat and stay. Taipei has a futuristic flair, and yet also a reverence for old-world to Taipei and navigating the city Taipei's main airport is Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), about 25 miles west of central Taipei, a 30 to 45 minute drive. The quickest route to Taipei is the Taoyuan Airport MRT, a 35-minute ride to Taipei Main Station for around $5. Taxis are incredibly safe and available for about $40. Within the city, the Taipei MRT system is clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. Taipei is highly walkable, or to get your own pair of wheels, you can try YouBike, the city's bike-sharing program, for as little as $0.15 for the first 30 minutes. Taxis are an efficient way to get around, while ride-hailing apps like Uber and LINE Taxi are widely used. The currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD), and credit cards are accepted at most hotels, malls, and major restaurants, but cash is preferred at night markets and street vendors. Best things to do in Taipei: Hot springs, dumplings, and teahouses One of Taipei's most iconic landmarks, Taipei 101 is a shopping and dining destination that also happens to be a skyscraper (once the world's tallest building). Visitors can book tickets to the Observatory on the 89th floor with panoramic 360-degree views, complete with super-charged binoculars, an audio guide, and access to the 101st floor's photo sets. For an adrenaline rush, try the Skyline 460 Experience, where you'll be harnessed for a rooftop walk. Afterward, explore Taipei 101's mall. It's a luxury shopping mecca that includes Din Tai Fung, the island's most famous restaurant for their renowned, delicate soup dumplings. For more skyline views, this time including Taipei 101, hike Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan). Named for its shape, this popular hiking trail is around 600 feet tall, offering a moderately challenging climb. The trail is about a mile long and features stone steps leading to a series of photography and viewing platforms.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starlux: Taiwanese airline company plans to launch non-stop Phoenix-Taipei flights
The Brief Taiwan's Starlux Airlines intends to operate non-stop flights from Phoenix to Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. The route is scheduled to be launched in early 2026, pending government approval. This marks the first time there have been direct flights between Sky Harbor and Asia since the early 1990s. PHOENIX - Officials with the City of Phoenix announced that an airline company could soon offer flights between Sky Harbor and Asia. What we know Per a statement released on May 20, Starlux Airlines intends to begin non-stop flights between Sky Harbor and Taoyuan Airport. According to Starlux's website, plans to launch the company were announced in 2016, and the company received its air operator certificate and air route certificate from Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration in December 2019. The company flew its inaugural flights in January 2020. Per a statement Starlux released on Feb. 11, 2025, the airline has routes from Asia to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, with a route to Ontario, Calif. scheduled to launch on June 2. What's next "The service, pending final government approvals, would begin early next year, with three to four flights a week," read a portion of the statement released by the City of Phoenix. "Service will initially begin with an A350-900 aircraft that has 306 seats. Tickets will go on sale once government approval is formalized." Dig deeper Taoyuan Airport is located in Taipei, which is the capital city of Taiwan. The Asian country is also known as the Republic of China. According to an unrelated Associated Press report published on April 18, Taiwan is a self-governed island with a democratic form of government, despite claims by the People's Republic of China that Taiwan is its territory, to be retaken by force if necessary. The backstory While city officials are calling this the "first nonstop air service to Asia for Phoenix and Arizona," this is not the first time there have been services between Phoenix and Asia. According to a brief statement from Sky Harbor Airport, America West Alines used to operate non-stop flights between Phoenix and Honolulu, and between Honolulu and Nagoya, Japan. Per a post the airport made on its X account in 2024, the routes were discontinued in the 1990s. America West would merge with US Airways in 2005, and US Airways would go on to merge with American Airlines in 2013. Dig deeper Per Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport's website, nonstop service is currently offered to dozens of destinations outside the United States. They include: Calgary, Canada Cancún, Mexico Culiacán, Mexico Edmonton, Canada Guadalajara, Mexico Hermosillo, Mexico Kelowna, Canada London (Heathrow Airport), United Kingdom Loreto, Mexico Manzanillo, Mexico Mazatlán, Mexico Mexico City, Mexico Monterrey, Mexico Montreal, Canada Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport), France Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Regina, Canada San José del Cabo, Mexico Saskatoon, Canada Tijuana, Mexico Toronto, Canada Vancouver, Canada, Winnipeg, Canada Zijuatanejo/Ixtapa, Mexico
