Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is a popular airport with connections to many international destinations in Canada, Europe, and South America. However, there are currently no nonstop flights to Asia. This could soon change, as Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines is considering starting a new service connecting Phoenix with Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport.
STARLUX Airlines currently operates flights to the West Coast of the United States, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The airline has plans to expand its presence in the country and may consider adding destinations such as Chicago and Washington in the future.
If all goes as planned, STARLUX Airlines will offer nonstop flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport starting early next year. The announcement was made by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, with plans to operate three to four flights per week pending government approval. The airline will use its Airbus A350-900 aircraft with 306 seats, and tickets will be available for purchase once official approval is granted.
STARLUX’s decision to choose Phoenix as a new destination comes shortly after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s announcement of a $165 billion investment into its Phoenix facilities. This investment is expected to bring in thousands of high-paying jobs and increase demand for travel between Phoenix and Taiwan. STARLUX aims to be the first airline to take advantage of this opportunity.
City of Phoenix Aviation Director Chad Makovsky expressed excitement about this new development, stating that it is a significant win for Phoenix and adds to the growth and modernization of the airport as a top international gateway. Mayor Kate Gallego also commented, saying that the new nonstop flight to Asia is a reflection of the city’s progress as an international hub, thanks in part to the TSMC investment.
Currently, STARLUX Airlines operates flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, all on the West Coast of the US. The airline uses its widebody Airbus A350-900 planes for these long-haul flights. On June 2, the airline will begin its fourth US route, from Taipei to Ontario, California. This will be the second route from Taiwan to Ontario, following China Airlines. Additionally, STARLUX is considering adding more routes from Taipei to destinations such as Chicago, Washington, New York, Dallas, and Houston.
According to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, the airline’s US network in July will look like this:
Destination
Flights
Los Angeles
45
Ontario
17
Seattle
31
San Francisco
31
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has a strong domestic network within the US, and it also connects to numerous international destinations. In May, there were almost 1,000 overseas departures from the airport, including flights to London, Paris, Cancun, and Vancouver. In 2024, the airport set a new record for passenger traffic, with over 52 million passengers passing through its terminals.