A Historic Milestone at the Aviation Industry’s “Oscars”
A memorable moment was witnessed 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 just 11 airlines worldwide to have achieved 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 attain the 5-star rating, accomplishing this feat within just 5 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 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 audits, based on hundreds of criteria falling into two main groups: Product Quality and Service Quality.
This year’s SKYTRAX awards witnessed over 22 million entries from customers worldwide, with more than 325 airlines being evaluated.
Additionally, STARLUX made its mark by also winning the “World’s Most Improved Airline” award. This double recognition is a testament to the remarkable advancements the airline has made in terms of service quality, technology, and flight experience, solidifying its position as a leading international airline from Taiwan.
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 made remarkable strides and quickly established its unique identity with the philosophy of “Luxury Beyond Horizons.” This philosophy embodies the pursuit of extraordinary luxury, creating distinctively different flight experiences. With STARLUX, every passenger is treated like a star throughout their journey. This is evident in the consistent quality of service across all four cabin classes—First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy—a feat 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 offering is renowned among discerning travelers for providing superlative experiences beyond the ordinary, featuring Michelin-standard cuisine crafted by celebrated chefs and restaurants, and the Galactic Lounge, designed with a galactic theme.
A spokesperson for the airline shared: “The 5-Star Airline status 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 journey with STARLUX is intended to be a memorable and delightful part of our passengers’ travels—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 spanning the globe, 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 is a 5-star Taiwanese carrier that stands out with its modern fleet and internationally acclaimed services. Its business class has been likened to an “on-air retreat,” offering unparalleled amenities, including lie-flat seats, a gravity-defying mode, crisp 4K 24-inch entertainment screens, wireless charging, Michelin-standard cuisine crafted by renowned chefs and restaurants, and the galactic-themed Galactic Lounge, ensuring a truly distinctive experience.
