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Starlux Airlines’ first Airbus A350-900 delivered as the young Taiwan carrier prepares to fly across the Pacific to Los Angeles next April
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Starlux chairman W. Changand chief executive Glenn Chai were both in Toulouse, France to take delivery of the new aircraft
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Chang said Starlux has ordered 18 Airbus A350-900 planes with a second unit joining the fleet this year
Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines took delivery of its first A350-900 on October 29 at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, as the young carrier enters a new phase and prepares to open markets across the Pacific Ocean next year.
Starlux Airlines chairman K.W. Chang and chief executive Glenn Chai were both in Toulouse for the mark the new milestone.
Chang arrived in Toulouse to take delivery of the aircraft, the first of 18 such model that Starlux ordered from Airbus to boost its fleet and allow it to serve transpacific destinations, the company said in a press release.
He personally flew the new A350-900 back to Taiwan. The aircraft is expected to arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at 15:00 the next day local time.
“This delivery is a milestone for Starlux Airlines. The A350-900 is our first large widebody aircraft, which will allow Starlux to open markets for longer routes,” Chang said.
“This also marks the next step in our partnership with Airbus, with 17 more A350s deliveries in the future. With the addition of the A350-900, the Starlux fleet now can cover short-, mid-, and long-range flights, providing service to passengers outside Asia.”
On February 18, Starlux took delivery of an Airbus A330neo, the first airline in Taiwan to purchase the new edition of A330.
Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and head of Airbus International, said that with an all-new generation, all-Airbus fleet, Starlux is bringing new levels of comfort and efficiency to the premium market.
“As the flagship aircraft in this fleet, the A350-900 will carry the airline’s brand on its longest routes as it opens up to new markets. We wish the airline every success as it spreads its wings to more destinations across the world,” Scherer said.
Starlux was also congratulated by Ewen McDonald, chief customer officer of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace, builder of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines that power the A350.
“This delivery builds on our partnership with Starlux, who earlier this year took delivery of their first A330neo, which is also powered by our Trent 7000 engines,” McDonald said.
“We look forward to further supporting Starlux to maximize their fleet performance and achieve operational excellence.”
Starlux, which started operating flights on January 23, 2020, plans to put the B-58501 into service next January after the approval process and required crew training. The A350-900 will initially fly to major cities within the Asia Pacific and start operations to Los Angeles in April 2023.
Starlux’s A350 is the first A350 to offer first class around the world. The premium four-class layout features four seats in first class, 26 in business class, 36 in premium economy class and 240 in economy class.
Starlux has entered a new phase with the delivery of the new A350-900. With the addition of another A321neo, Starlux will have 11 A321neos, four A330neos, and one A350-900.
By the end of the year, there will be another delivery of two A321neos and an additional A350-900, which will increase the capacity for Starlux as the company prepares to begin service to markets outside Asia.
