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Starlux Airlines' new Phoenix-Taiwan flights now on sale

July 29, 2025
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3 min read
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Starlux Airlines' new Phoenix-Taiwan flights now on sale
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Taiwan has become a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers, and, starting Jan. 15, travelers will be able to fly nonstop to the island nation from Phoenix.

This spring, upscale Taiwanese carrier Starlux Airlines revealed it would begin operating nonstop flights three times weekly between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE).

And now, those flights are available to book.

They will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing Taiwan at 8:45 p.m. and landing in Phoenix at 5:40 p.m., all times local. The return flights will depart Phoenix at 10:45 p.m. and land in Taipei at 4:55 a.m., technically two days later.

starlux booking
STARLUX AIRLINES

Related: First look: Capella Taipei marks the first major luxury opening in over a decade for Taipei

Starlux already operates direct flights to Taipei from Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Ontario, California. It will be the only airline operating the direct route between Taipei and Phoenix. This new route also marks Phoenix's first-ever nonstop route to Asia.

Flights will operate on Airbus A350-900s, and they will clock in at 11 hours and 55 minutes eastbound and 15 hours and 10 minutes westbound. The planes feature economy, premium economy, business-class and first-class cabins. When TPG's Clint Henderson flew from LA to Taipei in Starlux's business class in 2024, he had nothing but rave reviews of the airline's food and service.

Prices for a one-way economy ticket fall between $448 and $650, and premium economy prices climb to more than $1,000 each way.

starlux booking
STARLUX AIRLINES

This direct route doesn't offer much business-class or first-class availability until the summertime. In July, a business-class seat costs around $4,000 one-way.

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starlux booking
STARLUX AIRLINES

Meanwhile, a first-class seat comes in at more than $10,000 one-way.

starlux booking
STARLUX AIRLINES

Luckily, travelers will be able to skip the cash costs and instead pay for seats on this new Starlux route using Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles. There are no good business-class redemption opportunities at the moment, but Starlux's direct-to-Taipei routes from other U.S. cities like Seattle come in at around 75,000 miles (plus taxes and fees) each way via Alaska Airlines. So, once this Phoenix route gets up and running, there will likely be some solid rates.

ALASKA AIRLINES

We recommend setting an alert on Seats.aero or a similar redemption-availability platform website so you can be notified when better offers pop up.

Related: High-gloss glamour: A review of the W Taipei in Taiwan

Related reading:

Featured image by CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.