Starlux Airlines, a fast-growing Taiwanese carrier, has announced its first European destination for a new route launching later this year. The carrier has chosen Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) as its first European destination, despite its lack of long-haul routes. The new route will operate three times a week initially, with plans to increase to four times a week in October.

Details of the New Route

Starlux Airlines will fly from its base at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to Prague, starting on August 1. The airline will use its new Airbus A350-900 fleet to operate the route, which has an average age of just two years. The A350-900s feature the Airbus “New Production Standard” with wider cabins and Gentex electro-dimmable windows, as well as a four-class layout. The ten A350-900s will include first class, business class, premium economy, and economy seats.

The Starlux A350s stand out from rivals as the only four-class layout, with the first class featuring four suites in a 1-2-1 configuration with a personal wardrobe and fully-flat bed. Business class will have 26 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, with a privacy door and fully-flat bed. Premium economy will feature 36 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration with adjustable foot/leg rests and headrests. Economy will have 240 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Starlux will compete with fellow-Taiwanese carrier China Airlines on the route, which currently flies to Prague up to three times weekly using an A350.

Why Prague?

Prague may seem like an unconventional choice for Starlux’s first European destination, but it has been chosen for strategic reasons. Starlux’s CEO, Glenn Chai, has cited the city’s central location, high demand from Taiwanese travelers, and growing semiconductor industry ties as the main factors. The airline is confident that its extensive Asian network will provide seamless connections to major cities in the region.

Starlux’s Continued Expansion

This new route to Prague is just the first of two new European routes to be launched by Starlux this year. The second is expected to be Milan Malpensa Airport, which is currently served by EVA Air with a Boeing 787-9. Despite launching in January 2020, Starlux has expanded rapidly, with a fleet of 30 aircraft and plans to add 14 more this year. This includes the first of 18 Airbus A350-1000s, which arrived last month and is currently being used on the carrier’s route to Tokyo Narita Airport.

Conclusion

Starlux Airlines, the “unluckiest airline ever” due to its launch coinciding with the pandemic, has bounced back and is now expanding rapidly.