Starlux Airlines Plans To Apply for Oneworld Membership in 2025

Updated: September 17, 2024, 1:33pm CDT

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Starlux To Apply for Oneworld Membership by the End of 2025
Does Starlux Joining Oneworld Make Sense?
Final Thoughts

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Starlux Airlines, the startup airline based out of Taiwan, has reiterated its desire to join the Oneworld alliance. In fact, the airline’s CEO said there’s a plan in place to make a formal application by the end of next year.

While this could make sense, helping the airline and the alliance compete in Taiwan, there’s a chance not everyone will be happy if an airline in Taiwan encroaches on the turf of other Oneworld members.

Here’s what we know about this new development with Starlux and Oneworld.

Starlux To Apply for Oneworld Membership by the End of 2025

Starlux Airlines (JX airline code) is based in Taiwan and operated its first flight in 2020, connecting Taipei (TPE) to Macau (MFM). Presently, the airline flies to more than 20 airports around eastern and southeastern Asia and to 3 U.S. destinations.

Seattle (SEA) became Starlux’s third U.S. destination in 2024, joining already-operating routes to San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX).

Starlux A359 Business Class cabin from middle of middle — Starlux business class. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

At an investor conference yesterday, Starlux Airlines’ CEO, Chai Chien-hua, affirmed that the airline plans to apply for membership in the Oneworld alliance by the end of 2025, as first reported by Focus Taiwan. While the airline has mentioned its desire to join Oneworld in the past, the concrete application plan moves things forward.

Chai stated Starlux would work with other Oneworld members to coordinate flight schedules, passenger transit, and reciprocal frequent flyer program benefits. He also sees alliance membership as a potential efficiency boost for Starlux.

Does Starlux Joining Oneworld Make Sense?

There are 2 sides to this scenario. And there are some competing concerns that would need to be resolved.

Starting with Taiwan, it could make sense for Oneworld to have an alliance member there, competing with SkyTeam member China Airlines and Star Alliance member EVA Air. Increasing air passenger traffic through Taiwan could help the airports increase revenue and compete with other major hubs in the region, such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

Conversely, competing against Hong Kong could be a sticking point. That’s the home base of Cathay Pacific, a founding member of Oneworld in 1998. Cathay Pacific already operates flights to Taipei and even runs Hong Kong-Japan flights with connections to drop off and pick up passengers in Taiwan.

Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 — Starlux’s joining Oneworld may cause friction with Cathay Pacific, one of the alliance’s founding members that runs flights in Taiwan. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

What would it mean to share these routes with another airline based in a hub less than 2 hours away?

Delving a bit deeper, there’s also American Airlines and its interests with China Southern. Since American acquired an investment stake in China Southern and the Guangzhou-based carrier left the SkyTeam Alliance, there have been ongoing rumors regarding China Southern’s potential interest in joining Oneworld.

How would this factor into Starlux applying for Oneworld membership? It looks like 2 founding Oneworld members (who hold veto power over new airline applications) might have something to lose in this situation. Starlux and Oneworld would have to address these challenges to ensure the satisfaction of the member airlines.

Hot Tip:

Wondering what it’s like flying with Starlux? Check out our review of Starlux business class between Taipei and Macau.

Final Thoughts

Starlux is laying the groundwork for a Oneworld membership application in 2025. Will it be successful? That comes down to balancing competing interests, especially with Oneworld members that might feel like Starlux is encroaching on their turf.

As this story develops, we’ll keep you updated. Certainly, gaining new options for redeeming your miles through Oneworld programs like British Airways Executive Club and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles would be a nice development if membership is approved for Starlux.