Starlux Airlines is launching flights between its hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). This will be the carrier’s fifth U.S. destination, joining Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA) and Ontario (ONT) (Launching June 2, 2025) and comes amid a major investment in the region.
Starlux is Launching Flights Between Phoenix and Taipei in 2026
The news of the new route was announced yesterday by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and the flights are expected to operate 3-4x weekly. This is a major win for the airport as it will be the first nonstop flight between Asia and Arizona.
The route announcement comes after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced a $165 billion investment into its Phoenix facilities. Mayor Gallego acknowledges this in the announcement, stating:
“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.”
Starlux Airlines’ founder, Captain Kuo-Wei (K.W.) Chang, a former chairman of Taiwan based EVA Air, said this about the launch of service to Phoenix:
“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.”
City of Phoenix Aviation Director, Chad Makovsky, added:
“I am thrilled that STARLUX Airlines has chosen Phoenix Sky Harbor as its newest destination. This significant win for Phoenix and our entire region is a testament to the vision and dedication of Mayor Gallego and our City Council as they support the continued growth and modernization of our airport to serve as a top-tier international gateway.”
Like all of its other U.S. routes, Starlux will deploy Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the Taipei-Phoenix route. The carrier’s A350-900s are outfitted with 4 First Class, 26 Business Class, 36 Premium Economy, and 240 Economy seats.
Flights on the 7,104 mile route, Starlux’s longest, will go on sale once final regulatory approval has been received.
Why Phoenix?
Aside from the massive investment from TSMC in the area, there is one major reason I can see Starlux launching flights to Phoenix. The airline is the newest, and smallest, of the three major Taiwan based airlines, the other two being China Airlines and EVA Air. China Airlines is part of SkyTeam and EVA Air is a member of Star Alliance.
It’s no secret that Starlux has its eyes set on OneWorld membership, though it is possible that another OneWorld airline like Cathay Pacific could veto it. The airline already has a partnership with fellow OneWorld member Alaska Airlines, hence the flights to Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Phoenix is a major hub for another OneWorld carrier, American Airlines, which could help provide feed for the new route should the two decide to work more closely together.
While a Starlux route between Taipei and American’s superhub at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) would make more sense, EVA Air beat the carrier to the punch announcing Dallas-Taipei flights earlier this year. This move was seen by some, myself included, as an offensive move aimed at keeping Starlux out.
Summary
Starlux Airlines will launch 3-4x weekly flights between Taipei and Phoenix beginning sometime in 2026. This will mark the first nonstop route between Arizona and Asia and comes after TSMC announced a massive investment in the Phoenix area. Tickets are expected to go on sale after the route clears the final regulatory hurdles.