Starlux Now Selling First Class Seats to Tokyo Narita
Starlux Airlines is continuing to grow its First Class route network on its A350-900 aircraft. Back in April 2023, Starlux launched its initial first class route between Los Angeles and Taipei. This was followed by first class also being offered between Singapore and Taipei in July 2023.
Starlux has now announced they will sell First Class on its Tokyo Narita to Taipei route. While the Tokyo Narita to Taipei route has been run by an A350-900 in the past few months, Starlux has had the first class cabin go out unsold.
Starlux is now ready to begin utilizing its first class cabin between Tokyo and Taipei and will be offered to travelers from October 1, 2023. Let’s take a closer look at Starlux’s First class product being offered between Tokyo and Taipei.
Starlux First Class Cabin
Starlux offers 4 first class seats in row 1 of its A350-900 cabin. As noted in my recent Starlux review, the first and business class cabins are interestingly not separated. Instead first class offers higher privacy walls, an enhanced seat, and higher end service and food. However, first class is completely visible from the business class cabin as shown below.
Compared to the business class seat, Starlux’s first class seat on the A350-900 provides a larger 4K display, storage locker for baggage/coats, and mini bar.
Starlux First Class Tokyo Narita Meal Service
Starlux’s first class offers elevated meal service compared to business class. Below are some images Starlux shared for what type of food you can expect in first class on this route. It does look top notch for what is just a 3-hour flight.
Starlux describes the first class meal on its Tokyo route as:
“The exclusive First Class menu combines French elegance with Japanese Zen, offering French Kaiseki cuisines like Japanese A5 Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki, Yuzu Braised Golden Lobster, Kabura-Mushi Style Steamed Sea Bream, and more. When paired with the premium sake Hakurakusei served in the Mount Fuji Sake Cup, the gastronomy experience is elevated to a new height”
Starlux First Class Lounge Access Tokyo Narita
Starlux first class passengers departing Taipei for Tokyo should have access to the Huan Yu VIP Terminal as this is the lounge first-class passengers traveling to Los Angeles or Singapore have access to. I’m working to confirm this with Starlux as its flights to Japan currently depart from Terminal 1 of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport where Starlux’s Galactic lounge is located.
I would have to imagine the Galactic lounge is not a sufficient offering for first class passengers and will update this post once I have confirmation from Starlux.
For those departing Tokyo Nartia, Starlux indicates “First Class Lounge” will be available on October 1st. I’ll be curious to see what lounge space this actually is but my guess is Japan Airlines’ first class lounge. Starlux business class passengers have access to JAL’s Sakura Lounge in Tokyo Narita so this may be a logical extension of that existing relationship. I will update this post as more details become available.
Starlux First Class Tokyo Narita to Taipei Flight Details
Starlux will offer 1 daily flight with first class between Tokyo Narita and Taipei beginning October 1st. While Starlux can fly multiple times per day between the cities, the other flights will be operated by either an A330-900neo or its A321, which do not feature first class seats.
The Starlux flight offering first class on the Tokyo route is Starlux (JX) 800 and 801 as detailed below:
- Starlux (JX) Flight 800: Departs Taipei (TPE)- 8:30 AM and arrives Tokyo Narita (NRT) – 12:45 PM
- Starlux (JX) Flight 801: Departs Tokyo Narita (NRT)- 1:55 PM and arrives Taipei (TPE) – 4:25 PM
Starlux First Class Pricing
Starlux has steep pricing for first class between Tokyo Narita and Taipei coming out to over $3,000 in either direction for a one way flight.
When booking round trip, the price is about $4,500 so it’s definitely a better value than traveling one way.
What’s most interesting is that Starlux’s business class on this route is only $685 one way. What I can’t wrap my mind around is how the First Class experience is worth more than 4 times the cost of business class on this route. Starlux’s business class is already fantastic so I’ll be curious to see if this pricing strategy works. Perhaps Starlux will sell last minute discounted upgrades to business class passengers at check in.
Unfortunately, Starlux first class is not available to book with Alaska Miles but you can book business class.
Starlux Launches First Class to Tokyo Narita – Pilot Debrief
Starlux announced they will offer first class to Tokyo Narita on its A350-900 aircraft beginning October 1st. Starlux previously flew the A350-900 on this route while leaving the first class cabin unsold.
Tokyo Narita is Starlux’s third first class destination after Los Angeles and Singapore. While I’m sure the experience is top-notch, I do wonder whether the experience is differentiated enough from business class to justify more than 4 times the price tag.
