American Airlines has put its code on Starlux Airlines flights across the Pacific, giving advisors a way to sell Taipei on an American ticket for the first time. The codeshare covers select Starlux-operated nonstops between Taipei Taoyuan International Airport and four Western U.S. gateways: Los Angeles, Ontario, San Francisco, and Seattle. A fifth route, Phoenix–Taipei, will join the agreement once regulators sign off.
The flights are bookable now on aa.com and American’s app in Starlux’s Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. AAdvantage members earn miles and Loyalty Points on the codeshare flights, and the two carriers say award redemptions and other reciprocal perks are next on the to-do list.
“Taipei remains a top destination for global business, visiting friends and family and leisure travel, and together with STARLUX Airlines, we’re partnering to provide new travel options,” Anmol Bhargava, American’s senior vice president of alliances, said in a statement. “This collaboration strengthens our global network and unlocks new competitive itineraries. We look forward to working with STARLUX on opportunities to make the journey even more rewarding for customers.”
For the Taiwanese carrier, which launched in 2020 and has built its brand on a premium product, the deal plugs a young Asian network into American’s North American feed. Starlux’s Business Class seats are lie-flat with privacy doors, and Premium Economy comes with a leg rest and retractable footrest, a setup that lines up closely with what American flies on its new 787-9s and refreshed 777-300ERs.
“This codeshare marks an important milestone for STARLUX,” said Glenn Chai, the airline’s CEO. “American Airlines is an ideal partner, with a network across North America that complements what we’ve built across Asia. Together, we can provide our passengers with a more seamless and convenient travel experience between two of the world’s most dynamic regions.”
Beyond the night markets, temples, and museums that keep Taipei on leisure itineraries, both airlines are pointing to corporate demand tied to the semiconductor industry as a driver of trans-Pacific traffic.
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