STARLUX Airlines has unveiled two Airbus A350-1000s painted by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama in silver and gold liquid-metal liveries. The aircraft, named AIRSORAYAMA, will enter service in Q3 this year on routes to North America and Europe.
Sorayama’s creative vision complements STARLUX Airlines’ commitment to breaking away from the conventional airline framework and embracing innovation.
The vision and engineering challenge
Unveiled at Tokyo’s Omotesando Hills, silver and gold aren’t just colour choices, they represent the airline’s brand spirit that aircraft may be machines, but they carry passengers through connection and discovery.
Speaking at the launch, STARLUX Airlines’ Chairman, K.W. Chang, said: “What we sought was to bring warmth and beauty into the flying experience. Sorayama’s creations embody futurism and breathe emotion into the metal, mirroring the precision and care behind aviation itself.” He further added that together with the artist, they have jointly created a flying masterpiece that carries emotions across the world.
Over a three-year development period, Sorayama approached the aircraft as a sculptural form, taking inspiration from Jacques-Louis David’s The Coronation of Napoleon at the Louvre 30 years ago. Sorayama has always wanted to create the world’s biggest art statement. STARLUX Airlines selected two A350-1000s, each measuring 73 metres long as the world’s largest canvas of the artist’s six-decade career.
STARLUX Airlines worked closely with Airbus and aircraft painting experts, Mankiewicz, to develop a highly concentrated special mica colour shade with multi-coating techniques to coat the fuselage with the fluid appearance of metal.
AIRSORAYAMA cabin experience
Not only is STARLUX Airlines painting the exterior of two aircraft, but the airline is also extending the AIRSORAYAMA experience to the cabins to create a truly unforgettable experience.
Passengers will experience themed amenity kits, co-branded merchandise and a bespoke safety video. These aircraft are not simply a one-off paint job, they represent a bespoke product and experience, rarely found on other airlines.
A350-1000s destined for STARLUX Airlines beyond 2030
The two AIRSORAYAMA aircraft are the third and fourth of 18 A350-1000s on order as part of STARLUX Airlines’ continued growth strategy. The airline took delivery of its first A350-1000, B-58551, in January 2026 and its second, B-58552, in March. A further five are due before the end of 2026, with the entire order due for completion from 2031.
STARLUX Airlines is a Seven Star PLUS airline
As part of its internationally recognised safety rating system, AirlineRatings.com rates STARLUX Airlines as a Seven Star PLUS airline. This achievement is the highest accolade in the rating system, with the airline achieving an almost perfect onboard cabin safety audit in December 2025.
Futuristic aircraft for future expansion
STARLUX Airlines’ new futuristic-looking A350-1000s signify the airline’s continued commitment to expansion across Asia, the US and into Europe. The Taiwanese carrier is set to commence its first European route to Prague on August 1, with Helsinki under consideration. Further long-haul growth is planned to the US East Coast, including New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago.
AirlineRatings.com has exclusive access to STARLUX Airlines’ inaugural Prague to Taipei service this summer. Full coverage of the airline’s first European flight will follow.
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