As STARLUX launches flights to PHX, how are its other US flights doing?

STARLUX Airlines recently launched its first flights to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), expanding its presence in the United States from four to five destinations. The Engine Cowl explores how STARLUX Airlines’ flights from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) to the US have performed during the first 10 months of 2025.

The Taiwanese carrier now flies to five airports in the US: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario International Airport (ONT), PHX, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), with ONT and PHX being the latest additions.

On par with the competition at LAX

Cirium’s Diio Mi, which compiles data from the Department of Transportation (DOT), indicates that STARLUX Airlines’ load factor on flights between TPE and LAX was on par with its competitors’ during the first 10 months of 2025, which is the latest available data.

During the 10-month period, STARLUX Airlines averaged a load factor of 69.5%, while China Airlines and EVA Air, two other Taiwanese carriers flying the route, saw load factors of 69.1% and 73.9%.

Slightly ahead of China Airlines at ONT

While STARLUX Airlines only began flying to ONT in June 2025 and has not provided the load factors for the month to the DOT, it was actually slightly ahead of China Airlines between July 2025 and August 2025.

However, following Typhoon Ragasa, which disrupted travel across the wider region in September 2025, China Airlines pulled slightly ahead of STARLUX Airlines, with a 6% difference in load factors during the month.

Stability at SEA

On flights to SEA, the three Taiwanese carriers were also accompanied by Delta Air Lines, which also offered direct flights on the TPE-SEA route during the 10-month period.

While STARLUX Airlines’ load factors have fluctuated on other routes, falling below 70% as the year progressed, they were relatively stable between TPE and SEA, never dipping below 70%.

One of the reasons why could be its partnership with Alaska Airlines, whose passengers are also able to earn and redeem miles on STARLUX Airlines’ flights.

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Steadfast at SFO

TPE-SFO is another route where the Taiwanese trio is joined by another US airline, this time United Airlines. The quartet exhibited similar load factors, with STARLUX Airlines’ falling below 70% just twice between January and October 2025.

The exception was in September 2025, when the aforementioned Typhoon Ragasa swept across Southeast Asia in the month, affecting all airlines similarly.

Overall, during the first 10 months of 2025, STARLUX Airlines’ cabins on flights to the US were, on average, 72.4% full. Barring September 2025, October 2025 was the worst month for the airline’s US-bound flights.

On the TPE-PHX route, STARLUX Airlines is once again joined by China Airlines. In January, both carriers will offer three weekly departures, with the former’s schedule going up to four weekly departures from March.

STARLUX Airlines began flying to PHX on January 15.