Reading Time: 3 minI’ve flown in dozens of premium cabins around the world, but my recent business-class experience on Starlux was one of the most polished and refined yet. Think restaurant-quality food and drink, detail-oriented service, and luxurious amenities.
This Taipei-based carrier is a newer entrant to the airline industry, offering both short-haul service within Asia and long-haul flights to the West Coast of the U.S. And while Starlux isn’t part of any major alliance, it is a partner of Alaska Airlines.
That’s great news for points-savvy travelers who want to redeem Atmos Rewards. On an early-fall trip to Taiwan, that’s exactly what I did. Here’s why Starlux business is one of the best uses of Atmos Rewards points right now — and what the experience was like.
First, Alaska Airlines miles are now called “Atmos Rewards” points. The program has dynamic pricing for awards, meaning the number of points to book can fluctuate based on availability.
However, business class between Asia and the U.S. starts at 75,000 Atmos points in each direction (with about $19 in taxes and fees), going up in price from there. If you’re able to find availability at the lowest rate, like I did from Los Angeles to Taipei for late October, it’s a fantastic deal for a lie-flat seat to Asia.
Even better, Atmos Rewards continues to allow free stopovers on many partner awards, so you can stop in Taiwan en route to another destination. To book, head to Alaska’s website and use the airline’s handy calendar search tool to see available award rates by month, all at a quick glance.
For the 14-hour journey to Taipei, I was seated in 7D, a center pod in the middle of the 26-seat business-class cabin. Starlux uses the modern Airbus A350 for its flying between the U.S. and Taipei.
It was the carrier’s signature scent — yes, you read that right — pumped throughout the cabin and formulated by Taiwanese perfumer, P. Seven, that first got my attention. It's a perfect example of the attention to detail that made the Starlux experience so impressive.
Every seat featured all-aisle access and a suite door for added privacy. With dark grey and black finishes, it all felt super sleek and refined. The provided pajamas, mattress pad, and slippers were plush and cozy, too. With plenty of legroom under the monitor, I got a restful night’s sleep.
Other in-seat amenities included a built-in massager and unique “Zero-G” function, with the intended goal of reducing fatigue during a long journey. (I really think it worked.) There are even tech-forward features like Bluetooth connectivity (so you can use your own headphones to watch a movie) and USB-C charging outlets at every seat.
During meal service, each course was individually plated, and the quality was impressive. While Starlux touts its Taiwanese offerings, many options, like bubble tea and noodle soup, are only available for departures from Taipei.
Overall, Starlux is an impressive, world-class airline — and it’s currently one of the best ways to redeem Atmos Rewards points if you’re looking to get between the U.S. and Asia.
