A Historic Milestone at the Aviation Industry’s ‘Oscars’
A memorable milestone was achieved at the 2025 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards on June 17, as STARLUX Airlines was officially recognized as a 5-Star Airline, joining the elite league of only 11 airlines worldwide to 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, accomplishing this feat within just 5 years of 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 a renowned UK-based independent airline rating organization that conducts rigorous assessments through passenger surveys and on-site inspections, evaluating airlines against hundreds of criteria grouped into two main categories: Product Quality and Service Quality.
This year’s SKYTRAX awards witnessed over 22 million entries from customers worldwide, with more than 325 airlines being assessed.
Additionally, STARLUX made a remarkable impression by also winning the ‘World’s Most Improved Airline’ award. This ‘double’ accolade is a testament to the airline’s remarkable strides in enhancing its service quality, technology, and flight experience, as acknowledged by travelers worldwide.
A 5-Year Journey to Achieving the 5-Star Airline Status
Despite being a young airline with just 5 years of operations, STARLUX Airlines has rapidly established itself with a unique philosophy: ‘Luxury Beyond Horizons.’ This philosophy pushes the boundaries of conventional luxury, creating truly distinct flying experiences. At STARLUX, every passenger is treated like a star throughout their journey. Notably, STARLUX is one of the few airlines in the world to offer consistent service quality across all four cabin classes: First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
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 has gained a reputation among discerning travelers for offering superlative experiences, featuring Michelin-standard cuisine crafted by renowned chefs and restaurants, and the Galactic Lounge, designed to resemble the Milky Way galaxy.
“The 5-Star Airline recognition from SKYTRAX is not just an honor 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’ flying experiences,” said a spokesperson for the airline. “Every flight with STARLUX is intended to be a memorable and enjoyable part of our passengers’ journeys—this is the guiding principle behind 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, the 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 comforts: fully flat beds, a gravity-defying mode, ultra-high-definition 24-inch entertainment screens, wireless charging, Michelin-standard cuisine crafted by renowned chefs and restaurants, and the Galactic Lounge, a truly unique pre-flight experience.
