I knew that I would eventually fly Starlux from Thailand to the US, but I didn’t know precisely when it would happen. Certainly, increasingly terrible award availability (via Alaska Airlines) and generally high prices meant that I almost always chose EVA Air, when transiting via Taiwan.
Thankfully, as I began charting my course home from Bangkok on a recent trip, an unprecedented sale plus a 20 percent off promo code dropped into my lap, making the award availability problem irrelevant, and slicing a huge chunk off the fare I might otherwise have paid.
Now—spoiler alert—I’ve never been quite as enthusiastic about Starlux as some (most? all?) other travel bloggers. But in the absence of any nonstop flights from Thailand to the US, it’s definitely a top-tier option. Here’s why.
Why I Finally Sprung for Starlux from Bangkok
As I foreshadowed in the intro to this piece, I finally bit at the proverbial of Starlux from the US to Thailand because I got a deal I couldn’t pass up. Typically, when I’m flying transpacific, I use frequent flyer miles to book business class, at least on the “long” flights between Asia on the US. In this case, however, I had two issues: A dearth of both frequent flyer miles and availability; and the fact that I needed not only to get home from Asia, but to come back around six weeks later.
Initially, I was going to solve this problem by booking a round-trip premium economy flight (probably also on Starlux, which was retailing at around 50,000 THB/1,400 USD round-trip) from Bangkok to Los Angeles. However, Starlux was not only offering discounted business class fares for the dates I needed (around 120,000 THB/3,500 USD round-trip, compared to a normal price that regularly exceeds 150,000) for this same city pair, but also offered a 20% promo code on top of that, for bookings made directly through its site. I was quite literally sold!
5 Things to Know About Flying Starlux Between Thailand and the US
Starlux doesn’t have its own Bangkok lounge
Flying in business (or, god forbid) first class as you depart Bangkok? While you can go through the Priority Lane at Suvarnabhumi, entitling you to expedited security screening and passport control, you will need to use a third-party lounge. Specifically, one of the many Miracle Lounge locations in the airport, depending upon where your flight departs from.
(And usually flies from the satellite terminal)
In most cases, if you’re flying Starlux from US to Southeast Asia, you will depart Bangkok via the satellite terminal, which still feels strangely empty years after it opened, to say nothing of how much stress the train ride there can create if you’re in a rush. On the plus side, the Miracle Lounge here is huge and offers amazing views of the main terminal.
Connections in Taipei are seamless—at least coming from the US
When you fly from the US to Southeast Asia via Taipei, you don’t need to clear transit security. Rather, you exit into the terminal of Taoyuan Airport as if you were connecting to a domestic flight in the States. You do need to clear security on your way from Thailand back to the US; while the screening itself is quick and perfunctory, the walk there and then up to your departure gate can take some time.
Starlux is as good as other Asian carriers, and way better than US ones
Beyond the reasons I’ve cited above, a major one I wasn’t in a rush to fly Starlux from Southeast Asia to US is that I’m not as obsessed with the airline as many of my colleagues. Is it way better than any US airline? Absolutely. But it’s also very much on par with excellent Asian airlines like JAL, Cathay Pacific and Taiwan’s own EVA Air, even if it is slightly better than Thai Airways.
Taipei is a much more convenient waypoint than Tokyo or Seoul
It only takes around three hours each way to fly between Bangkok and Taipei, which is especially welcome when you’re flying back from the US to Asia. By contrast, Tokyo is around seven hours and Seoul is at least six, meaning they literally double the back-end agony after a flight that already lasts half a day.
How to Book Starlux Between the US and Thailand
As of the late 2020s, the most affordable way to book Starlux business class is using frequent flyer miles from Alaska and Etihad. As of this writing, redemptions via American Airlines’ AAdvantage program are in the pipeline (but not yet possible); it is unlikely you are a member of Starlux’s own Cosmile program or have a meaningful number of miles in your account unless you happen to live in Taiwan.
The problem, of course, is that these programs only rarely have “Saver” award availability, meaning that you either need to pay hundreds of thousands of miles or points for a one-way flight on Starlux from Bangkok to US, or pony up cash—which, as my own experience illustrates, is not always a total rip-off. A third option—which is much less attractive, obviously, especially if you’re 40+ like I am—is to fly economy or premium economy.
Other FAQ About Flying Starlux Between the US and Thailand
Which is the best airline to travel to Thailand?
If you’re flying from within Asia, basically every full-service airline (so, carriers like ANA or Malaysia Airlines, as opposed to low-cost options like AirAsia or Thai VietJet) offers an excellent option for flights to Thailand. Coming from North America, connecting itineraries entirely on the local airlines of Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and especially Taiwan tend to be your best option.
Which airline is the best to fly from the US to Thailand?
If at all possible, I suggest flying your entire US-Thailand journey on an East Asian carrier, as opposed to flying even part of it on United, Delta, American or Alaska. Asian airlines like those in Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong feature superior meals and service, more comfortable seating and more reliable operations than their US counterparts.
Does Starlux fly nonstop to Thailand?
Answer
The Bottom Line
Until (and unless) nonstop flights from Bangkok to LAX or SFO become a reality, flying Starlux from Thailand to the US is about as good as you’re going to get. Like EVA Air and China Airlines, Starlux offers a seamless transit experience in Taipei, and top-tier seats, service and food from there onward to your destination in the US. On the plus side, Starlux’s much newer fleet offers more consistent excellent from Thailand to Taiwan. On the minus side, its US gateways are extremely limited as of the late 2020s. Need personalized help putting together your next Asia adventure, including a one-on-one consultation on flights? Commission a custom Thailand itinerary today!
