A Historic Milestone at the Aviation Industry’s “Oscars”
A memorable landmark 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 awards are one of the oldest and most respected in the industry, often referred to as the “Oscars of Aviation” due to their scale and stringent evaluation criteria.
At this year’s ceremony, 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 bestowed with the 5-star rating by SKYTRAX—an esteemed “hall of fame” that STARLUX Airlines has entered in a remarkably short time.
SKYTRAX is globally renowned as the leading independent airline rating organization, based in the UK. They conduct rigorous assessments through passenger surveys and on-site audits, based on hundreds of criteria falling into two main groups: Product Quality and Service Quality.
This year’s SKYTRAX awards attracted over 22 million votes from customers worldwide, with more than 325 airlines being evaluated.
Additionally, STARLUX made a remarkable impression by also receiving the “World’s Most Improved Airline” award. This “double win” is a clear testament to the airline’s significant advancements in service quality, technology, and flight experience, offered by this 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 quickly made its mark and established a unique identity with its philosophy of “Luxury Beyond Horizons.” This philosophy strives for a standard of luxury that transcends conventional boundaries, creating truly distinct flight experiences. With STARLUX, every passenger is treated like a star throughout their journey. That’s why STARLUX provides consistent service quality across all four cabin classes: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy—an achievement that very few 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. Its business class is renowned among discerning travelers for offering superlative experiences beyond the ordinary, such as Michelin-standard cuisine crafted by celebrated chefs and restaurants, and the Galactic Lounge designed to resemble the galaxy.
A spokesperson for the airline shared: “The 5-Star Airline title from SKYTRAX is not just a prestigious recognition but also a testament to STARLUX Airlines’ quality and long-term commitment to pursuing the highest standards and perfecting the tiniest details in our passengers’ flight experiences. Every journey with STARLUX is intended to be a memorable and delightful part of their trip—this is the guiding principle behind all our endeavors.”
Currently, STARLUX operates daily flights from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc to Taipei, connecting passengers from Vietnam to a comprehensive network of 29 routes, including the USA, Japan, Macau, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Notably, passengers can conveniently connect from Taipei to North America via flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ontario, Seattle, and soon Phoenix, Arizona, 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 flat-bed seats with a zero-gravity mode, crisp 24-inch 4K entertainment screens, wireless charging, and gourmet cuisine crafted in collaboration with Michelin-starred restaurants and renowned chefs. The galactic-themed lounge further enhances the exceptional travel experience.
