In our last review, we put STARLUX’s Business Class through a full test flight across their fleet between Seattle and Ho Chi Minh City. On our return trip from Thailand, we decided to try something new: mixing Business Class with Premium Economy and Economy. So, how is the ground experience holding up, and is Premium Economy actually worth booking? Here is our take on whether STARLUX’s boutique experience still lives up to the hype, and our memories!

Our Flights

• Route:
  • BKK (Bangkok) to TPE (Taipei): 13:10 – 18:00 (~4 hours)
  • TPE (Taipei) to SEA (Seattle): 20:10 – 16:10 (~10 hours)
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
• Seats:
  • 22K (Premium Economy) & 32K (Economy) for BKK to TPE
  • 5K & 6K (Business Class) for TPE to SEA
• Price/Points Used: ~75,000 to 85,000 Atmos points each (formerly Alaska Mileage Plan).

Seat & Cabin Information

STARLUX’s Airbus A350-900 is configured across three main cabins:

• Business Class: 26 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration (44” pitch, 20” width, full lie-flat recline).
  • How it compares: While Delta One Suites and Air Canada Signature Class offer standard lie-flat seating, STARLUX’s A350 Business Class ups the ante with a slightly wider, more private suite layout and a specialized “Zero G” posture function you won’t find on many carriers.
• Premium Economy: 36 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration (40” pitch, 19” width, 7” recline).
  • How it compares: STARLUX’s Premium Economy outpaces standard North American offerings like Delta Premium Select and Air Canada Premium Economy by offering a roomier 40-inch seat pitch (compared to the standard 38 inches) and an extra inch of recline.
• Economy: 250 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration (31–32” pitch, 18” width, 5” recline).
  • How it compares: STARLUX’s Economy Class gives you an extra half-inch to an inch of seat width (18 inches vs. Delta and Air Canada’s typical 17–17.5 inches), while matching the standard 31–32 inch pitch and 3-3-3 layout for transpacific A350 flights.

Full Comparison Table:

Cabin	STARLUX (A350-900)	EVA Air (B777 / B787)	Delta / Air Canada
Business Class	44″ pitch, full privacy doors, “Zero G” recline	43–45″ pitch, open lie-flat pods (no doors)	Standard lie-flat pods (doors on select Delta aircraft)
Premium Economy	40″ pitch, 19″ width, 7″ recline	38″ pitch, 19.5″ width, standard recline	38″ pitch, 18.5–19″ width, standard recline
Economy	31–32″ pitch, 18″ width	31–32″ pitch, 17.3″ width (777-300ER)	31–32″ pitch, 17–17.5″ width

Ground Experience & Transit at TPE

• Bangkok Check-In & Boarding: The check-in process in Bangkok was simple and efficient, as we had already checked in online. Since we didn’t have lounge access with our Economy and Premium Economy tickets, we spent time walking around the terminal until it was time to head to the satellite gates. From our research, Business Class passengers get access to a contract lounge that gets decent reviews, though it’s reported to get crowded due to accepting Priority Pass.
• Taipei Transit: Our 2-hour layover in Taipei was easy and seamless, giving us enough time to visit the Galactic Lounge for a shower and some refreshments. Overall, the lounge has been well maintained, the food offerings have remained consistent (almost entirely the same, with the hot dogs but no baos) from our last visit, and there was no wait for a shower.

The Short Haul: Premium Economy & Economy (BKK to TPE)

• Seat 22K (Premium Economy) vs. Seat 32K (Economy): Max was seated in Premium Economy and found the seat comfortable and spacious. Compared to Air Canada’s Premium Economy, it felt roomier, and the IFE screen had much higher resolution. The only downside is the deep recline: if the person in front of you reclines all the way and you aren’t trying to sleep, it can feel a bit cramped. As for Jason’s seat in Economy, he found it comfortable with zero complaints for a 4-hour flight, other than wishing he were up in Business Class!
• Service & Catering: If you have high expectations for the Premium Economy soft product, the service and catering might disappoint. The food was fairly standard and a bit plain, but roughly aligned with what you’d receive in Air Canada Business Class. The drink service was minimal, they were pretty stingy with the wine, offering only one service with a pour reminiscent of a mouthwash cup at the dentist! Ironically, Jason’s meal and drink service in Economy was better in some ways: he was offered a cocktail twice, and his meal was very good (above Air Canada Premium Economy meals).

The Long Haul: Business Class (TPE to SEA)

• Seats 5K & 6K Experience: Once again, Business Class did not disappoint. The service was excellent, easily surpassing our recent experiences on Qatar Airways and other carriers. The seat gives Qatar’s Qsuite a run for its money, even if it feels slightly less spacious overall. The ability to lie completely flat or shift into the comfortable “Zero G” position is a standout feature.

• In-Flight Experience: STARLUX has made noticeable improvements since our last flight. They now offer new Paul Smoth navy pajamas that are much lighter and far more stylish than the previous heavy, light-brown sets (which felt a bit like prison wear!). They’ve also introduced a sleek new amenity kit packed with quality products by THREE, a Japanese holistic skin care brand. On the catering front, the technical glitch for passengers booking with Alaska/Atmos points has finally been resolved, so pre-ordering meals was a breeze. While Jason didn’t pre-order, he snagged one of the last halibut plates, while Maxine selected a STARLUX Star Gourmet Yuenji meal, which was a bit unconventional for the western palate, but excellent quality, featuring abalone and a tomahawk pork chop. Alongside the champagne, signature cocktails, and impressive wine list, Jason also tried their craft beer selection. They have also added a bunch of new vegetarian options, including replacing the beef burger with a lion’s mane mushroom burger, which we did not get to try. Overall, a 10-hour flight almost wasn’t long enough to enjoy everything on offer! The 4K IFE screen quality is fantastic, though the selection remains somewhat limited if you’re searching for indie or artsy titles.

BUsiness Class Menus:

Final Verdict & Recommendation

• Is Premium Economy Worth It? At check-in, we inquired about upgrading, but the only remaining option was a middle seat. For a shorter 4-hour hop like BKK–TPE, you’re likely fine sticking with Economy depending on the price and points dynamic.
• Is Business Class Worth It? If the price or award redemption is comparable to other carriers (or even slightly higher), absolutely. Whether paying cash or using points, STARLUX Business Class is worth it. It may be trickier to route for travelers based on the East Coast, but if you are connecting from the West Coast, it should be top of mind.
• Consistency? It is very hard to maintain consistency, but we found that Starlux generally operates at a high standard with consistency in quality and service. Like clockwork, the landing music starts playing 6 minutes before landing.

The main drawback is that STARLUX isn’t currently in a major global alliance, despite its strong partnership with Alaska Airlines. This created a slight annoyance for us, as we didn’t have lounge access in Seattle while waiting for our connection back to Vancouver. You would encounter the same issue connecting in LAX or other partner hubs. Hopefully, STARLUX will join Oneworld in the future, which feels like a natural move given that EVA Air anchors Star Alliance in Taipei.

At the end of the day, STARLUX proves that a younger boutique airline can easily outshine traditional carriers. Between the top-notch service and thoughtful cabin details, STARLUX ranks right at the top of our favorite airlines, and having flown Qatar Airways a few times within the last few years, that’s saying something!

Related Posts:

• Flying STARLUX Airlines: Full Fleet Review (A350, A330neo, & A321neo)
• Review: Condor a330neo Business Class
• Review: Renovated Plaza Premium Lounge near E gates – USA Departures at YVR – Vancouver International Airport