Intro
Sometimes you board expecting the usual four-hour flight and leave wishing it was twice as long!
I’ve wanted to fly Starlux for a while. The whole operation’s been on my radar since they started.
But I deliberately chose not to read about them beforehand.
There’s something brilliant about coming into an airline with zero expectations and letting the experience speak for itself.
This Taipei to Singapore run felt like the right moment.
Four hours on their brand new A350, no preconceptions about what to expect.
What I found was an airline that’s given serious thought to how economy passengers should be treated.
Here’s some photos of the premium economy and economy class cabin.
The Service
The crew began meal service about 20 minutes after takeoff.
A total of 6 crew members worked in the economy class section of this aircraft.
Two main meal options were offered.
But, before the flight, I perused the online menu and pre-ordered my main meal.
Yes, Startlux is one of a handful of airlines that allow economy class customers to pre-order their main dish.
I went with the seafood pasta (which, admittedly, is an odd choice for 8:30 am, but they made it work).
The shrimps weren’t tokens; they featured prominently in the dish.
The vegetables were a little mushy, but the pasta wasn’t overcooked, and the whole plate looked good, along with the other items on the tray.
The alternative was the Hutong Garlic Butter Chicken Thigh Donburi.
What struck me most was the tray itself. Reusable, not disposable.
Stainless steel cutlery in economy class!
Fresh fruit and yoghurt on the side.
Everything arrived on what felt like actual tableware, not the flimsy plastic containers some airlines default to.
I respect the airline and how its choices influence the passenger experience.
A few hours after the main meal service, the crew came through and offered more drinks and a small packet of snacks.
For four hours, it’s well balanced. You’re never thirsty, but it doesn’t feel overdone either.
Here’s a look at the inflight menu and drinks available:
Their inflight entertainment system is one of the better implementations I’ve come across.
The screen is so responsive, the menu’s logical, and they’ve got a solid content spread.
The wine and beverage menu alone shows thought: a full bar with Johnnie Walker Black Label, vodka, gin, rum, beer, plus soft drinks including Coca-Cola, Sprite, iced green tea, and Calpis water.
The cocktail section offers options, including a signature Sci-fi Cosmos drink (gin, lactic acid drink, blue cacao syrup, tonic water) created in collaboration with renowned Taiwanese mixologist A Xiang from Bar TCRC and Bar Home in Tainan.
The Lounge
Before the flight, I managed to visit the Starlux Galactic Lounge in Terminal 2.
The lounge is located post-security near Gate D7, which puts it close to departure gates.
But beyond location, this is a space that feels like a destination rather than just somewhere to sit.
The design commits to the space theme without feeling tacky.
Doors that slide open at the push of a button, mood lighting that complements the space, and lockers for belongings.
The whole thing has an international aesthetic that sets it apart from typical airport lounges.
The food offering stands out.
Buffet station with fresh salads, not tired lettuce and a few toppings, but multiple fresh vegetables, proper dressings, the kind of setup where you can build something you actually want to eat.
Beyond that: hot dishes, dessert stations, breakfast items, and a full bar with wine, beer, spirits, and soft drinks.
Clean bathrooms with Thann products (a Thai luxury botanical brand).
They’re a Thai luxury botanical brand specialising in natural skincare made with traditional ingredients.
There’s plenty of seating throughout, even if the space is smaller than your normal airline lounge.
The Peanuts Collaboration
You’ll notice Snoopy branding throughout. This is Starlux’s partnership with Peanuts, running through December 2025.
At check-in, passengers get one of four collectible boarding pass designs.
Branding extends throughout, luggage tags, inflight cups with Snoopy designs, custom napkins, and even the headphones feature the theme.
The design language uses cosmic blue and starlight gold, which tie into Starlux’s broader space-themed identity.
It feels intentional rather than gimmicky.
Conclusion
The crew were attentive without hovering. Helpful without making you feel like you’re imposing.
Professional without being stiff.
The whole thing had the feel of a crew that understands they’re part of the product. That service attitude makes a massive difference on a four-hour flight.
I wish the flight had been longer so I could experience more of what they offer. In four hours, you get a sense of quality, but not the full picture of how they handle complete long-haul.
What I got was efficiency, consideration, and effort. The whole thing felt polished without being pretentious.
If you’re flying from Taipei to Singapore and you’ve got the budget to choose them over a budget carrier, it’s worth doing.
Starlux has something special happening here.