American Airlines has just established new ties with Taiwan’s premium airlines and has grown rapidly with its U.S. business.
Taipei-based Starlux Airlines announced on Friday that it had reached a delivery agreement with American. The arrangement would allow carriers to collaborate on certain bookings – a move that could (perhaps) lay the foundation for a deeper partnership between airlines.
The United States and Strax agreement
As part of the agreement, travelers will be able to book itineraries with connections between the United States and Starlux. And, customers riding these trips will see their luggage transfer from one carrier to another, just like in a flight between two alliance partners.
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It can be seen clearly now: This collaboration is far from a full-fledged partnership, like the one Americans like with their OneWorld Alliance Partners – from British Airways to Qantas, Qatar Airways, and more.
In the airline world, a cross-deal agreement essentially allows two carriers to cooperate on a limited basis. So don’t expect to be able to earn or redeem your Aadvantage miles on Starlux flights, or you can enjoy a status allowance if you are an Aadvantage Elite member flying with the operator.
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Starlux is getting closer to the United States (and Oneworld)
Still, Friday’s announcement marked the beginning of a link between the U.S. and the number of stars and stripes, known for its high-end service throughout the Pacific. TPG’s Clint Henderson described the operator’s business-grade products as “out of the world” on a plane flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Taiwan’s Taoyang International Airport (TPE) last year.
Starlux currently only flies to one U.S. hub on LAX, but plans to launch uninterrupted services to the U.S. Phoenix Skyport International Airport (PHX) hub early next year – opening a new connection opportunity with American.
Starlux said Friday that the service is now scheduled to launch on January 15, 2026.
As part of this new arrangement, you can quickly start your trip somewhere like Austin or New Orleans, fly to Phoenix, and then connect to Talier Taipei’s Starlux flight.
Follow oneworld?
It is worth noting that Starlux has established a deeper loyalty partnership with Alaska Airlines, a domestic American partner in Oneworld – and serves the hometown of Alaska’s Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
The airline also operates U.S. services to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California.
There is talk about Starlux’s hope to be the latest Oneworld member. Taiwanese media previously reported (through one mile at a time) that Starlux executives hope to join OneWorld in the near future (TPG contacted the carrier to hear its latest thoughts on the matter, but a Starlux spokesperson did not respond immediately).
Starlux’s Taipei rival Eva Air is a member of Star Alliance (including United Airlines). Taiwan-based Chinese airline recently announced a new partnership with Southwest Airlines.
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