Evidence STARLUX is setting a new standard in Economy and Premium Economy Travel

Premium Economy

The Premium Economy cabin on STARLUX’s A350-900 is arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration and immediately feels more spacious than many competing products. The airline’s signature warm colour palette and carefully considered lighting come together to create a calm, tidy, premium environment that clearly distinguishes it from standard Economy cabins.

Seats measure a generous 18.7 inches in width with an impressive 40 inches of pitch, providing substantial space for longer regional sectors. Recline extends up to eight inches and is paired with both a leg rest and footrest, allowing for a genuinely comfortable resting position. A six-way adjustable headrest offers solid lateral support without pushing the head forward. The tray table folds out from the armrest in two sizes and provides ample space and stability for dining or working. A small shared drinks table is also built into the armrest, along with individual bottle holders for each passenger.

Seat materials feel robust and well finished, reinforcing STARLUX’s boutique positioning. Each seat features a universal AC outlet, USB-C port and literature pocket. Overall, this Premium Economy cabin feels thoughtfully designed and replicates the standard you would expect on a long-haul flight.

Economy

The Economy cabin on the A330neo continues STARLUX’s premium design language. Seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 layout and offer a 31-inch pitch, 17.1-inch width, and up to five inches of recline. Window pairs (A/C and H/K) are particularly well suited to couples or solo travellers looking for a bit of separation from the centre section.

Each seat is fitted with a universal AC outlet and USB charging as well as literature pocket. The comfortably padded, adjustable headrest provides solid support and allows passengers to fine-tune their position for rest or viewing.

While seat pitch is broadly in line with most A330neo operators (though a few offer an extra inch), STARLUX primarily deploys this aircraft on regional routes, where the configuration feels more than adequate.

This same premium feel carries through to the A321neo. Seat pitch and recline match the A330neo, while width increases slightly to 17.8 inches. Power outlets and adjustable headrests are retained, helping the narrowbody cabin avoid the stripped-back feel typical of many short-haul aircraft.

The STARLUX cabin crew delivered a consistently polished service across all sectors. Interactions were warm, friendly and accompanied by genuine, natural smiles that never felt scripted. From boarding through to arrival, crew maintained a calm and welcoming presence, creating a relaxed atmosphere throughout the cabin.

Service was attentive without being intrusive, with requests handled promptly and confidently. Meal service was well paced, refills were proactively offered, and crew engagement remained consistent across both Economy and Premium Economy. The overall impression was one of sincerity and pride in the product, reinforcing STARLUX’s premium positioning beyond its cabin hard product.

The Taipei–Osaka Premium Economy service featured a well-presented hot meal including chicken with rice, a Japanese-style chilled seaweed starter, fresh fruit, and a crème caramel dessert. Further elevating the experience was metal cutlery and china tableware. A dedicated coffee and hot beverage service followed the meal.

Beverage options in Premium Economy were comprehensive, with a good selection of wine, beer, soft drinks, water, juices, and hot beverages available throughout the flight.

In Economy, catering quality remained a standout especially given the short flight time. On the Osaka–Hong Kong sectors, meals included pork udon noodles with seasonal fruit, an egg roll biscuit snack, and apple juice on one flight, with tortellini and chicken served on the return. The longer Economy sector featured Japanese fried chicken with rice, seasonal fruit, a warm bread roll, and a small butter biscuit for dessert.

All Economy meals were served with metal cutlery which is an increasingly rare detail in this cabin. Beverage selection and service mirrored that of Premium Economy.

Overall, catering across both Economy and Premium Economy comfortably exceeds expectations especially given the flight time of 2.5 and 1.5 hours respectively.

Premium Economy passengers receive a full-size pillow, thick blanket, and over-ear headphones placed at the seat prior to boarding. These inclusions reflect STARLUX’s commitment to offering a premium experience even on shorter regional flights.

In Economy, a small pillow is provided even on short-haul routes, with blankets available on request depending on sector length. Pillow quality is above average, featuring a higher-grade pillowcase than seen on many international carriers. Over-ear headphones are provided at the seat and are of expected, acceptable quality for Economy Class use.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the fleet. Both cabins receive complimentary messaging access, while full browsing packages are available for purchase. Performance varies depending on route and passenger usage.

On the A330neo, Economy passengers have access to five lavatories, equating to a ratio of approximately one lavatory per 54 passengers.

The A321neo features three Economy lavatories due to STARLUX opting not to install Airbus’ Flex Galley. This results in a ratio of approximately one lavatory per 60 passengers. Despite this, no extended queues were observed given the shorter sector lengths.

Lavatories on the A330neo are small but clean, functional, and well maintained. A fresh floral arrangement adds an elegant touch rarely seen in this cabin class. IDUN Minerals hand soap and moisturiser are provided, while foot-pedal-operated waste bins help maintain cleanliness throughout the flight.

Lavatories on the A321neo are tighter, as expected for a narrowbody aircraft. While missing the floral arrangements and foot-pedal bins, they remained clean and well maintained throughout the journey.

STARLUX delivers a strong IFE offering across all cabins. Premium Economy passengers benefit from a large 15.6-inch HD touchscreen that is sharp, responsive, and supports Bluetooth headphone pairing, now an expected feature for premium carriers in 2025.

Economy passengers on both the A330neo and A321neo also enjoy seatback screens. The A330neo features a 13.3-inch HD display with Bluetooth functionality, while the A321neo is equipped with a smaller 10.1-inch screen without Bluetooth support. This inconsistency slightly detracts from an otherwise polished experience.

Across all cabins, STARLUX displays its full food and beverage menus through the IFE, removing the need for paper menus and supporting sustainability initiatives. Content selection is strong, featuring new releases such as The Long Walk, Fantastic 4: First Steps, Weapons, and Superman. HBO Max series are available, though not always as complete box sets. Music, games, TV shows, and a dedicated children’s zone round out the entertainment offering.

A notable omission for an airline of this calibre is the lack of onboard cameras, although the flight map itself is clear and well presented.

STARLUX Airlines delivers one of the most well-rounded Economy and Premium Economy experiences in the regional market. Thoughtful cabin design, strong catering, and consistently polished inflight service combine to create an experience that feels intentionally premium rather than simply above average. Premium Economy, in particular, stands out as a genuinely meaningful upgrade, offering generous space and a level of comfort associated with long-haul operations.

These standards are all the more impressive given the short flight times. Many full-service carriers have moved away from offering a full hot meal in Economy, shifting to snack boxes or adopting hybrid buy-on-board models with flights of this length. STARLUX does the opposite. When the airline calls itself a premium carrier, it proves it by delivering excellence across every cabin.

Economy and Premium Economy are where most travellers spend their time. STARLUX has turned even brief regional flights into a showcase of thoughtful design, attentive service, generous catering and comfort proving that they really are a premium carrier from nose to tail.