STARLUX launches nonstop Phoenix–Taipei flights, creating Arizona’s first direct air link with Asia

Phoenix gains its first nonstop service to Asia

STARLUX Airlines has launched nonstop passenger flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, establishing the first direct air connection between Arizona and Asia. The inaugural service began on Jan. 15, 2026, following an earlier announcement that the route was expected to start in early 2026 pending final approvals.

The new transpacific route positions Phoenix alongside other major U.S. cities with nonstop links to Asia and is designed to serve both leisure and business travel demand in the region. Local officials and airline leadership marked the first flight with an inaugural event at Phoenix Sky Harbor on Jan. 15.

Schedule, aircraft, and cabin configuration

At launch, flights operate three times per week. The published operating days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Beginning in March 2026, STARLUX plans to increase frequency to four weekly round trips by adding a Saturday departure.

The service is operated using the Airbus A350-900. Phoenix aviation officials have stated the aircraft is configured with 306 seats across four cabins: first class, business class, premium economy, and economy.

• Start date: Jan. 15, 2026
• Initial frequency: 3 weekly round trips
• Planned increase: 4 weekly round trips starting March 2026
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-900

Why Phoenix—and why now

The launch follows a period of accelerating economic ties between Arizona and Taiwan, including major semiconductor manufacturing investment in the Phoenix region. City leaders have linked the new long-haul service to rising demand for international travel tied to expanding business relationships and workforce mobility.

The route is expected to support tourism flows in both directions and provide a direct option for travelers who previously relied on connections through coastal hubs.

What the route changes for travelers and the airport network

For passengers in Arizona and the broader U.S. Southwest, the Phoenix–Taipei nonstop reduces reliance on domestic connections to reach transpacific flights from airports such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. For inbound travelers, Phoenix becomes a direct gateway to destinations across the American Southwest, while Taipei offers onward connections within Asia through its role as a regional hub.

Phoenix Sky Harbor has emphasized the economic significance of international air service, noting that international flights contribute billions of dollars annually to the local economy. The addition of a long-haul Asia route expands the airport’s international footprint and adds a new intercontinental market segment for the region.