Flight Review: Starlux JX742 Premium Economy

A Boutique Airline Experience That Redefines Comfort

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Flight Details

Airline | Starlux Airlines

Flight | JX742

Route | Bangkok BKK – Taipei TPE

Gate | S115

Aircraft | Airbus A350-941

Registration | B-58505

Class of Travel | Premium Economy

Seat Number | 21K

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There’s something refreshingly different about flying with a boutique airline – and Starlux Airlines proves exactly why. Established in 2018 by Chang Kuo-wei, the former chairman of EVA Air and a licensed pilot himself, Starlux isn’t just another start-up carrier trying to fill seats. It was born out of a personal passion for aviation and a desire to deliver an elevated flying experience, one that blends modern luxury with warm attentive service.

But what does boutique airline really mean? In this case, think of it as the aviation equivalent of a designer hotel – stylish, intimate, and incredibly detail-oriented. Starlux doesn’t aim to compete against with the biggest players on volume. Instead, it focuses on curating every aspect of the journey: from cabin aesthetics and meal presentation to service consistency and even the soundtrack playing during boarding.

On this flight from Bangkok to Taipei, I had the chance to experience their Premium Economy products aboard the Airbus A350-900, and I can confidently say – this wasn’t just another regional hop. It felt like flying with personality, poise, and a whole lot of polish.

Getting to Bangkok

While Starlux does operate direct flights between Singapore and Taipei, I deliberately chose to route myself through Bangkok – and for good reason. On the Singapore route, Starlux operates the Airbus A330neo, but I was particularly keen on trying their flagship Airbus A350-900, which features a different – and more refined – Premium Economy product. So, this slight detour gave me the perfect opportunity to experience it firsthand.

To get to Bangkok, I flew on Scoot flight TR608. The aircraft assigned to this service went through a few changes – it was originally scheduled to be an Airbus A321neo, then downgraded to an A320, and more recently, upsized to a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. I wasn’t complaining; the Dreamliner upgrade was a pleasant surprise and made the early morning flight much more comfortable.

Departure was at 0630H from Singapore Changi, arriving into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi around 0730H, giving me a comfortable 4.5-hour layover before my connecting Starlux flight. That window turned out to be just right – enough time to clear immigration, re-check in, and grab a quick bite before boarding again.

Ground Experience at Suvarnabhumi Airport

After arriving at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport at 8am, I faced a 2 hour wait as the check-in counters only opened at 10am. While this wasn’t ideal, it was simply due to the timing of my arrival. However, once the counters opened, the check-in experience took a bit of a turn.

Starlux does not provide a dedicated check-in counter for Premium Economy passengers. Instead, we were directed to join the general Economy Class queue – which, at that time, had only two general check-in counters open, along with one bag drop counter. Meanwhile, there were two counters reserved for Business Class and one for First Class passengers.

Considering that most full-service airlines offer a dedicated or shared priority lane for Premium Economy, this setup felt rather underwhelming. Waiting in a slow-moving queue alongside Economy passengers wasn’t exactly the kind of ground experience I expected, especially from a boutique carrier positioning itself on service quality.

With about three hours to kill before boarding, I made my way to the Miracle Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s satellite terminal, which turned out to be a welcome escape. This terminal is far quieter and more tranquil than the bustling main terminal, and the lounge reflected that vibe – peaceful, uncrowded, and clean. There was a decent selection of food, including pastries, hot items from the buffet, and live cooking stations serving wanton soup and even chicken rice. Naturally, I tried the chicken rice – but sadly, it missed the mark: the rice was clumpy, and the chicken was dry and hard. I also sampled the basil pork rice from the buffet, which was better – not amazing, but not the worst either. Still, the main draw for me was a place to rest. Having woken up at 3am to catch my flight to Bangkok, I just wanted somewhere to relax – and the lounge delivered on that. It’s worth noting that the lounge is split into halal and non-halal sections, though the halal side only opens from 3pm to 3am, likely to cater to Saudia and other Middle Eastern carriers that operate midday departures.

That said, things picked up after check-in. Premium Economy passengers do receive priority boarding, which helped recover some of that premium feel. Boarding was well organised, the gate staff were professional, and stepping into the A350’s refined cabin was an instant mood-lifter. From that point forward, the experience quickly aligned with the elevated standard I had been hoping for.

Inflight Service & Seat Review

Taking me from Bangkok to Taipei was B-58505, a one-year-old Airbus A350-900 delivered to Starlux in March 2024. Despite being only, a year old, the aircraft still had that unmistakable “new plane” feel – the cabin looked spotless, the mood lighting was sharp and consistent, and the ride was whisper-quiet in typical A350 fashion. Everything about it felt solid, calm, and well-maintained.

Starlux configures its A350-900 in a full four-class layout:

• 4 First Class suites

• 26 Business Class seats

• 36 Premium Economy seats

• 240 Economy Class seats

While Economy and Premium Economy are housed in their own respective cabins, First and Business Class share the same cabin space, separated only by a partition. Even so, each section still manages to maintain a good degree of privacy and a distinct identity within the layout. The Premium Economy cabin, located just behind Business Class, feels especially private with just a few rows laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration.

Personally, I’ve always preferred the 2-4-2 layout – it’s reminiscent of the old Economy class configuration on many A330s. Compared to denser layouts, this arrangement offers a more comfortable balance of space and accessibility, making it easier to slip out of the lavatory or stretch your legs without disturbing too many fellow passengers.

I was seated in 21K, a window seat located just ahead of the wing. From here, I had an excellent view of the massive Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines – quiet yet powerful, humming away with the elegance only an A350 can offer. For aviation enthusiasts, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy both performance and peace.

The seat itself is one of, if not the best I’ve experienced in Premium Economy. Starlux has equipped the cabin with 36 Recaro PL3530 seats, each offering a 40” pitch, 18.7” width, and 8” recline. These spacious seats provide significantly more legroom than what some airlines offer in Business Class – yes, there are carriers out there whose business cabins don’t even match this. Thoughtful features include an adjustable leg rest, six-way adjustable headrest, and wide center armrest, delivering real long-haul comfort.

In front, a 15.6” HD touchscreen with Bluetooth audio pairing provided crisp entertainment. The Bluetooth pairing was a real win – it allowed me to connect my AirPods directly without the need for adapters or relying on the low-quality headphones many other airlines still provide. Power outlets (universal AC, USB-A and USB-C) were also easily accessible.

Starlux’s Premium Economy product has set a new standard for me. I’ve flown Premium Economy with carriers like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, but I’d confidently say – Starlux has raised the bar.

Cleanliness throughout the cabin was impeccable. The crew made sure the entire space, including the shared lavatories, remained spotless throughout the flight. Amenities like facial mist and hand lotion were available – subtle but appreciated touches that aren’t typically found in this cabin class.

And then there’s the service, which truly sets Starlux apart. The crew were polished, warm, and naturally attentive – checking in regularly, topping up drinks, and addressing passengers by name. There was no rush, no fuss, just calm, professional hospitality.

Inflight Dining

Starlux offers passengers the ability to pre-select their meals in Premium Economy – a feature I found both convenient and thoughtful. The inflight menu becomes available 21 days prior to departure, and passengers can pre-select their meals up to 24 hours before the flight. For those with dietary restrictions, special meals are also available and must be ordered at least 72 hours in advance.

The Western alternative on the menu was a Grilled Salmon Fillet with creamy garlic penne pasta, roasted vegetables, and lemon butter sauce – another well-thought-out option for those craving something richer.

I had pre-selected the Roasted Tamarind Lemongrass Chicken Thigh – a Thai-inspired option served with coconut and pandan rice. The meal also included a Polenta Kaiser Roll and a Smoked Duck Breast with Apple Celeriac Salad and finishing off with Mango Sticky Rice and fresh fruits. The chicken was tender and moist, well marinated and bursting with flavour. The rice was perfectly cooked – not too hard or too soft – but it lacked any noticeable coconut or pandan aroma. The smoked duck breast and salad were light and citrusy, which helped cleanse my palate before diving into the main dish. The bread roll was served warm and soft inside, with a texture that was leagues above the rock-hard rolls many airlines tend to offer. Dessert was a highlight: the mango sticky rice with coconut milk was delicious – my only complaint was that the portion was too small!

Everything was presented on real porcelain tableware with metal cutlery, which added a refined touch. It didn’t feel like just another inflight meal – it felt curated and intentionally elevated, even in Premium Economy.

Inflight Entertainment & Connectivity

Each seat featured a 15.6” HD touchscreen display – one of the widest you’ll find in Premium Economy. It offered a wide library of movies, shows, music, and games. The interface was sleek and responsive, and the Bluetooth pairing feature made it easy to use my own headphones – especially convenient for AirPods users like myself.

Other thoughtful touches included:

• Noise-isolating headphones provided

• USB-A, USB-C, and a universal power outlet

• Complimentary unlimited Galactic Wi-Fi for Premium Economy passengers

Yes, you read that right – unlimited Wi-Fi not just messaging. This perk made it incredibly easy to stay connected throughout the flight, whether for chatting, catching up on emails, or scrolling through social media without worrying about data limits. It’s a rare and refreshing inclusion in Premium Economy, and one that significantly boosted the overall value of the experience.

It was more than enough to stay comfortably entertained and connected throughout the journey.

Arrival in Taipei Taoyuan & Final Thoughts

After nearly 12 hours of travel from Singapore to Taipei via Bangkok, including a layover and two flights, I finally touched down at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport – and to my surprise, I didn’t feel the slightest bit drained. Disembarkation was smooth, and with priority baggage handling, my suitcase appeared on the belt in no time.

Even with the extended travel time, the comfort of Starlux’s Premium Economy made all the difference. With its 8” recline, ample space, and plush Recaro seat, I managed to get in a restful nap during the flight – something that’s often difficult for me to come by in the air. The overall cabin ambiance, attentive crew, and calm service left me feeling well-rested and even rejuvenated upon arrival.

This flight has truly redefined what Premium Economy means to me. I’ve experienced other top-tier products from the likes of Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, but Starlux has raised the bar. It’s not just about better legroom or enhanced meals – it’s about how the entire experience is carefully curated to feel personal, polished, and premium from start to finish.

So, while a direct flight might have saved a few hours, I wouldn’t have traded this journey for anything. Starlux’s Premium Economy hits the sweet spot – it delivers business-class-level comfort at a more accessible price point. For anyone seeking a boutique flying experience that’s anything but average, this cabin is the benchmark.

Inflight Service | 9/10

Inflight Entertainment | 10/10

Meal Service | 8/10

Seat | 10/10

Aircraft Cleanliness | 10/10

~ A boutique flying experience that’s anything but average – and everything Premium Economy should aspire to be! ~

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Credits:

Photos by Cornelius Kwok.