STARLUX Economy A321neo Overview
Choosing the right airline can be tricky, especially when you’re traveling on a budget but still want to experience something special.
That’s where STARLUX Airlines comes in.
Known as Taiwan’s newest luxury airline, STARLUX is already making waves in the travel world. Founded by Chang Kuo-wei (張國煒 in 2018, who was the former EVA Air chairman, STARLUX was born from his desire to offer a luxurious experience that outshines his competitors. And spoiler alert: it absolutely does!
When my partner and I were planning our trip from Saigon back to Taipei, STARLUX caught our attention right away. I mean, how often do you hear about an airline that feels luxurious, even in economy? After booking our flight, I was super excited to experience what STARLUX had to offer!
check-in process
For this international flight, we checked in at the counter in Saigon.
The process was straightforward but strict — get ready to have all your luggage weighed, including carry-ons at the check-in counter.
Here’s what you’re allowed in Economy:
ONE PERSONAL ITEM
Small backpack, purse, or tote (max size: 16” x 12” x 4”).CARRY-ON
15 lbs (7 kg) max (max size: 22” x 14” x 9”, including wheels and handles).CHECKED BAGGAGE
50 lbs (23 kg) max
If you have any excess baggage, fees can add up quickly: $150 per piece for short-haul flights and $200 for long-haul.
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economy seating
The economy seating on STARLUX is surprisingly comfortable and thoughtfully designed, offering features that stand out compared to other airlines.
The seats provide a ton of legroom with a generous 31-inch pitch, making long-haul flights more manageable. As someone who’s 5’6”, I found the legroom to be super spacious, and my partner, who’s 5’10.5”, also had no complaints about space.
The seats are RECARO, which is a German company known for their sleek, high-end build. They feature thin backrests for more room and adjustable six-way headrests that allow for a custom fit, adding to the overall comfort. The recline is also pretty impressive — although when the person in front of you reclines, it can feel a bit tight, forcing you to recline as well. Regardless of that, the overall seat experience feels very premium for economy class.
Each seat comes with practical touches like a tablet holder and a cup holder, making it easy to keep your devices and drinks secure during the flight.
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amenities
Blanket
The blanket, to my surprise, is eco-friendly and made from upcycled PET bottles and seashells.
Soft, warm, and long enough to cover from your legs to your stomach.
A bit thin to my standards because I love a plush blanket, but the temperature on the plane is warm so it’s still perfect for overnight flights.
Pillow
Standard-sized, small but comfortable, made from quality cotton.
Headphones
The headphones provided in STARLUX Economy are fairly standard — new and barely used, but nothing exceptional in terms of quality.
I recommend bringing your own earphones, as the sound quality with the airline’s headphones is also quite basic.
The single-plug earphone jack is conveniently located next to the USB port, making it easy to connect your own gear.
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entertainment
Screen
STARLUX’s Economy Class boasts a 13” IFE touchscreen monitor with stunning 4K quality!
The screen itself is adjustable up and down, though the range isn’t huge.
It features a USB port and headphone jack under the screen for your convenience.
The adjustable screen is impressively clean, showing STARLUX’s commitment to cabin cleanliness.
I loved the great selection of new and classic movies, shows, and music, plus fun games to keep you entertained!
Wifi
Paid options are available for basic unlimited texting for STARLUX Economy.
Connect to Galactic Wi-Fi once you’re in airplane mode.
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in-flight dining
STARLUX Airlines elevates in-flight dining by collaborating with top-tier restaurants in Taiwan, making sure passengers enjoy restaurant-quality meals at 30,000 feet.
For those with specific preferences or dietary needs, STARLUX offers an extensive range of meal options, including vegetarian, religious, and baby meals.
Standard pre-orders can be made up to 24 hours before departure, while special meals must be reserved at least 72 hours in advance through their website or app.
For our flight, I pre-order the Chinese vegetarian meal, and my partner chose the beef penne Bolognese.
His dish smelled amazing and tasted just as good, while my vegetarian meal was surprisingly delicious — far exceeding my expectations and even outperforming meals I’ve had with other Taiwanese airlines.
What really stood out to me was STARLUX’s commitment to sustainability.
Meals are thoughtfully served with reusable metal utensils, along with wipes and napkins that feel premium and eco-conscious. It’s a small touch that adds to the luxury experience while making a positive environmental impact.
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bathroom
The bathrooms on STARLUX are clean and thoughtfully designed with a modern touch.
The dark salt-and-pepper countertop reminds me of a kitchen countertop, and the automatic sink is a convenient feature — just place your hand underneath for water with warm and cold button on top.
While the interior is fairly standard, it’s noticeably cleaner and more polished than what you’d find on most economy flights — which shows that this airline is still extremely new.
Amenities include all the basics: soap, toilet paper, trash can, a baby-changing area, facial tissues, toilet seat covers, paper towels, and a press-to-flush button.
Though simple, everything feels fresh and well-maintained, enhancing the overall economy bathroom experience.
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service
The STARLUX crew was super friendly, professional, and attentive. This was honestly a great change from some of my past experiences in economy class on other airlines, where the service could sometimes feel rushed or impersonal, especially on long-haul flights.
What impressed me most was the crew’s multilingual abilities — they effortlessly switched between Vietnamese, Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English, making communication seamless for passengers from different backgrounds! (Once again, I was flying from Saigon to Taipei, but still, this is super impressive!)
In short, STARLUX’s crew went above and beyond to create a welcoming atmosphere for their guests, leaving me extremely impressed.
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sustainability
One thing that surprised me the most is that STARLUX is part of the Charter of Sustainability Committee, committed to reducing carbon emissions and adopting eco-friendly practices.
While I was looking for flights online, I noticed their flights from SFO to Taiwan have the lowest carbon emissions compared to China Airlines and EVA Air, which is extremely impressive, especially for someone like me who flies to Taiwan frequently and wants to minimize my environmental impact.
The amenities on board are made from recycled materials — which is also a big win! Adding another positive touch to their sustainability efforts. 🌍💚
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know before you fly
MEAL OPTIONS
You can pre-order your meal at least 24 hours before your flight. Special meals must be reserved at least 72 hours before your flight.
PET POLICY
Service animals only in the cabin. Other pets must be checked.
WIFI
Internet is available for purchase, but your phone must remain in airplane mode. Once you’ve purchased the package, you’ll have access to Wi-Fi for unlimited texting only.
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FAQ
Q: Is STARLUX a budget airline?
A: No, it’s considered a luxury airline, but Economy class offers great value.
Q: What are the seat dimensions in Economy?
A: Seats are 17.5” wide with a 31” pitch.
Q: Do they provide meals in Economy?
A: Yes they do! You can also pre-order dietary-specific options online or on their app.
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final thoughts
Overall, I had an amazing experience with STARLUX Economy.
While the check-in process was a bit forgettable, everything from boarding to landing was smooth, efficient, and professional.
The entire flight was very clean, from the screens to the windows and bathrooms — it’s the little things that make a difference.
As someone who values sustainability and supports eco-conscious companies, I loved that STARLUX uses recycled materials for its amenities and is committed to reducing carbon emissions.
Their participation in social welfare and charitable activities also aligns with my values, making the experience even more positive.
I’m looking forward to STARLUX expanding to JFK (New York) and hopefully getting the chance to try their Premium Economy, Business, and First Class experience!
I hope this review of STARLUX Economy was helpful!
Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
Happy flying! 🪽
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STARLUX: Carriage of Live Animals
STARLUX: Carry-on Baggage
STARLUX: Checked Baggage
STARLUX: Pre-Order Meal
STARLUX: Galactic WiFi
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check out my Taiwan travel vlog
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DISCOVER MORE
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From comfy seats to a 13” 4K touchscreen, every moment of your journey with STARLUX will feel like luxury. With sustainable practices and top-notch service, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.