A Historic Milestone at the “Oscars of Aviation”
A memorable event took place at the 2025 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards on June 17, as STARLUX Airlines was officially recognized as a 5-Star Airline, joining the elite group of 11 airlines worldwide that have attained this prestigious standard.
The SKYTRAX World Airline Awards is one of the most renowned and respected awards in the aviation industry, often referred to as the “Oscars of Aviation” due to its scale and stringent evaluation criteria.
At this year’s awards, STARLUX Airlines surprised everyone by setting a new record. It became the fastest airline to achieve the 5-star rating in the history of aviation, just five years after its first commercial flight.
As of 2025, only 11 airlines globally have been awarded the 5-star rating by SKYTRAX – an esteemed “hall of fame” that STARLUX Airlines has joined in a short time.
SKYTRAX is a leading independent airline rating organization based in the UK, known for its rigorous evaluation process. They conduct extensive passenger surveys and on-site inspections, assessing airlines against hundreds of criteria in two main groups: Product Quality and Service Quality.
This year’s SKYTRAX World Airline Awards attracted over 22 million entries from customers worldwide, with more than 325 airlines being evaluated.
In addition to the 5-star rating, STARLUX also received the “World’s Most Improved Airline” award. This double recognition is a testament to the remarkable advancements the airline has made in service quality, technology, and flight experience, solidifying its position as a leading international airline from Taiwan.
A Five-Year Journey to the 5-Star Airline Title
Despite being a young airline with just five years of operation, STARLUX Airlines has made remarkable strides and quickly established its unique identity with the philosophy of “Luxury Beyond Horizons.” They strive to create exceptionally distinctive flight experiences, believing that every passenger deserves to be treated like a star throughout their journey. To that end, STARLUX provides consistent service quality across all four cabin classes: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy – a feat that only a handful of airlines worldwide can match.
The airline also boasts a modern and uniform fleet, including the latest aircraft models such as the A321neo, A330neo, and A350-900. Their Business Class has gained a reputation among discerning travelers for offering superlative experiences beyond the ordinary, featuring Michelin-standard cuisine crafted by renowned chefs and restaurants, and the Galactic Lounge, designed to resemble the galaxy.
A spokesperson for the airline shared: “The 5-star Airline rating from SKYTRAX is not just a prestigious recognition but also a testament to STARLUX Airlines’ long-term commitment to pursuing the highest standards and paying attention to the tiniest details in our passengers’ flight experiences. Every flight with STARLUX is intended to be a memorable and delightful part of their journey – this is the guiding principle for everything we do.”
Currently, STARLUX operates daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc to Taipei, connecting passengers from Vietnam to its extensive network of 29 routes, including the USA, Japan, Macau, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Notably, passengers can conveniently connect from Taipei to North America via Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ontario, and Seattle, with Phoenix (Arizona) being added to the network in 2026.
STARLUX Airlines, Taiwan’s 5-star airline, stands out with its modern fleet and internationally acclaimed services. Its Business Class has been likened to an “on-air retreat,” offering unparalleled amenities: fully lie-flat seats with zero-gravity mode, crisp 24-inch 4K entertainment screens, wireless charging, and Michelin-standard cuisine in collaboration with renowned chefs and restaurants. The Galactic Lounge, themed around the galaxy, provides an authentically unique experience.
