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 in history to achieve the 5-star rating, accomplishing this feat within just five years of commencing commercial operations.
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 joined 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 in two main groups: Product Quality and Service Quality.
This year’s SKYTRAX awards attracted over 22 million entries from customers worldwide, with more than 325 airlines being assessed.
In addition to the 5-star rating, STARLUX also clinched the ‘World’s Most Improved Airline’ award. This double recognition is a testament to the remarkable strides the airline has made in enhancing its service quality, technology, and flight experience—a true reflection of this Taiwanese international airline’s progress.
A Five-Year Journey to the 5-Star Airline Title
Despite its young age and just five years of operations, STARLUX Airlines has rapidly established itself with a unique philosophy: ‘Luxury Beyond Horizons.’ This philosophy embodies the pursuit of extraordinary luxury, creating distinctively different flight experiences. At STARLUX, every passenger is treated like a star and accorded the same impeccable standard of service across all four cabin classes—First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy—a feat that very few airlines 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 offering is renowned among discerning travelers for delivering beyond-expectations experiences, featuring Michelin-standard cuisine crafted by celebrated chefs and restaurants, and the Galactic Lounge, designed to resemble the galaxy.
“The 5-Star Airline title from SKYTRAX is not just a prestigious recognition but also a testament to our long-term commitment to excellence,” a spokesperson for the airline said. “At STARLUX, we strive for the highest standards and pay attention to the tiniest details to ensure our passengers have a memorable journey. Every flight with us is intended to be an enjoyable part of their overall travel experience—this is our guiding principle.”
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, 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 comforts: fully lie-flat seats with zero-gravity mode, crisp 24-inch 4K entertainment screens, wireless charging, Michelin-standard cuisine crafted by renowned chefs and restaurants, and the galactic-themed lounge, for an utterly unique experience.
