Taiwan-based STARLUX Airlines has launched nonstop service between Taipei and Ontario International Airport, its fourth destination in the United States and second in Southern California.
The inaugural flight landed Friday at Ontario at 5:05 p.m. and was greeted with a water cannon salute. The route is part of the airline’s continued U.S. expansion, following launches in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
“This new route is an important milestone for STARLUX,” said Walter Liang, chief passenger commercial officer. “Ontario’s strategic location within the Greater Los Angeles area positions us to better connect the diverse communities of Southern California to and from Asia in luxury and comfort.”
Liang said the route gives travelers 14 flights weekly across two airports in Southern California.
The greater Los Angeles area is home to more than 2.5 million Asian Americans, including large Taiwanese, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean populations, company officials said.
STARLUX hopes the new service will provide greater access to its network of more than two dozen destinations in Asia.
The airline will operate Airbus A350-900 aircraft on the route four times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
One flight that will depart Ontario around 11 p.m. will arrive in Taipei around 4:15 a.m., two days later due to time change. Some return flights will depart in the evening from Taipei and arrive in Ontario the same day, but hours earlier than the departure, at least according to local time.
During the inaugural landing, the gate-side launch ceremony included remarks by Ontario airport CEO Atif Elkadi and the director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, as well as officials from STARLUX and Alaska Airlines.
STARLUX promotes its international service as a premium experience, offering four cabin classes and amenities such as Michelin-rated meals, aromatherapy and custom seating.
“With our new service to Ontario, we continue to redefine luxury air travel,” Liang said.