Taiwanese carrier Starlux Airlines has taken delivery of its first of eight Airbus A330neo aircraft. The aircraft will depart Toulouse today before arriving at its new home in Taipei late tomorrow afternoon. The airline already operates the Airbus A321neo and is additionally expecting some A350 aircraft.Starlux Airlines first took to the skies around two years ago. It seemed that the airline was launched at the worst time, as the airline was forced to suspend flights just two months later due to the COVID-19 crisis. Despite its initial difficulties, the airline could weather the storm and is getting ready to expand its offerings.
The first A330neo for Starlux
Starlux Airlines is today taking delivery of its first Airbus A330neo. The aircraft is registered as B-58301 and is the first of eight that the airline intends to lease. Three more of these aircraft are expected to be delivered to the carrier by the end of the year. Additionally, the airline's first Airbus A350 will be delivered in the third quarter of the year.
Commenting on the delivery, the airline's Chairman, K.W. Chang, remarked,
“My team and I had spent much time evaluating and discussing the selection of the optimal mid-range aircraft to augment our current line A321neos and A350 XWBs... I am delighted to welcome our first A330neo, as it marks a key milestone in our growth. With the addition of the A330neo, STARLUX can deploy our fleet more flexibly and provide our service to more passengers over regional routes.”
According to Starlux, we won't see the A330neos carrying passengers any time soon. After arriving in Taiwan, the aircraft will initially undergo an approval process with the local regulators. Crew training will then need to be undertaken. Starlux anticipates that the jets will be ready to enter into service around May. The plane will initially focus its operations around the Asia-Pacific region. Suggested routes for the aircraft include Macau, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Bangkok, and Tokyo.
What to expect onboard the plane
Starlux's Airbus A330neos will each feature 297 seats across two classes of travel. At the front of the jet, passengers will find 28 business class suites in a 1-2-1 layout giving every passenger direct aisle access. Of course, the seats all convert into a lie-flat bed.
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Behind the business class cabin is an economy cabin featuring 269 RECARO seats. The economy cabin is relatively spacious compared to some other widebody economy cabins. An eight abreast configuration means that seats are laid out in a 2-4-2 layout.
Every passenger will have access to their own in-flight entertainment screen. In business class, passengers have a 4K resolution 17.3-inch screen, while economy passengers have to make do with 4K on 13.3-inch screens. All passengers will be able to use Bluetooth to connect their own headset to the IFE system.
What do you make of Starlux's A330? Where would you want to fly on it? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!