SPOT.ph Tries: Is This Luxury Airline's Economy Seat Worth the Few Extra Bucks?
Turns out, A321s can be spacious.
(SPOT.ph) Asian destinations like Taiwan are often top of mind among Filipino travelers because of their proximity to the country, visa-free policies, and relatively cheap flights especially if you book through low-cost carriers. But, sometimes, we just want to stretch our legs (literally) and have comfortable air travel. Fortunately, STARLUX Airlines launched their daily flights from Clark International Airport to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on August 15. We got to try the two-hour flight on the economy seats (one-way fare starts at U.S. $133.30, roughly P7,000), and here's what we think.
Our experience at STARLUX Airlines' Economy Class:
STARLUX Airlines has a current count of 20 aircrafts, including 13 A321neos, four A330neos, and three A350s. For the Clark-Taipei route, we got to board their A321neo, which, based on our experience, can be surprisingly spacious especially when compared to a local low-cost carrier that uses the same fleet.
The A321neo, however, only has four Business Class seats in a 2-2 configuration, but it's okay considering that their 180 Economy Class seats in a 3-3 set-up already come with premium service.
For starters, Economy Class seats have adjustable headrests, so you don't have to worry about accidentally putting your head on your seatmate's shoulder (unless you have consent, of course). There's a small pillow provided for each seat and blankets are lent upon request. There's plenty of space between the rows, so you can extend your legs in front of you or recline your seat without disturbing other passengers behind you.
There's also in-flight entertainment with a library of free movies, TV shows, music, and even games (Sudoku and Angry Birds included). Sanitized and new headsets are also provided to every passenger. The touchpad also features cool vector views of the aircraft flying from your point of origin to the point of destination, a simulation of the cabin, and a clock indicating your destination's current time.
Like in all flights, there's a safety demonstration and other safety features of the aircraft. But instead of a cabin crew doing the demo live or a typical video shown onscreen, STARLUX Airlines went for an animated safety video with cool anthropomorphic characters to appeal to all audiences—kids and kids-at-heart included.
Even if the Clark-Taipei flight runs for just two hours (or even less), in-flight meals are distributed to all cabin classes. And we don't just mean a pack of biscuits. Our tray for the outbound flight included a box of fruit juice, a rice bowl dish with veggies, rice crackers, and a custard dessert. The inbound flight, on the other hand, had a noodle dish and creamy bread, still with a box of fruit juice and a pack of rice crackers. Pre-ordered meals are available through the website, even for the Economy Class.
What to know about STARLUX Airlines:
STARLUX is a Taiwanese international airline company based in Taipei, Taiwan. They officially started operations in 2020 with their first route from Taipei to Macau. Branded as a luxury airline, they now fly to 17 destinations, including Los Angeles, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa, Sapporo, Sendai, Macau, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, Hanoi, Manila, and Cebu.
Their routes from Manila, Clark, and Cebu include Taipei, Los Angeles (with Taipei as a layover), Macau, and eight airports in Japan (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, Sapporo, Sendai, and Tokyo).
Schedule of STARLUX Airlines from Clark International Airport to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Flight number JX 790
- Flies out every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
- Departs Manila: 10:45 a.m.
- Arrives in Taipei: 12:45 p.m.
Flight number JX 792
- Flies out every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
- Departs Clark: 08:25 p.m.
- Arrives in Taipei: 10:25 p.m.
Schedule of STARLUX Airlines from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Clark International Airport
Flight number JX 789
- Flies out every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
- Departs Taipei: 07:45 a.m.
- Arrives in Clark: 09:45 p.m.
Flight number JX 791
- Flies out every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
- Departs Manila: 05:25 p.m.
- Arrives in Taipei: 07:25 p.m.
What to know when flying out of Clark International Airport:
The new passenger terminal of Clark International Airport officially opened for commercial operations on May 2, 2022, which was also the same day the old terminal was decommissioned. Unlike the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the airport in Mabalacat, Pampanga is significantly less crowded, has shorter queues, and features more kiosks for self-check-ins. Queueing time at immigration is also shorter.
P2P Bus from Metro Manila to Clark
You don't have to worry about getting to Clark to catch your flight as there are already several P2P routes from Metro Manila that go directly to Clark International Airport's bus terminal.
Genesis Transport Service operates daily from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City and from Trinoma in Quezon City. Seat reservation is not required, just come early because the bus leaves on time.
As a P2P bus, you're guaranteed shorter travel time (from two to three hours) depending on traffic as the bus only makes stopovers at SM City Clark. The ride back has the same route with stopovers at Trinoma and all four NAIA terminals. One-way fare is P380 for NAIA Terminal 3 to Clark and P280 for Trinoma to Clark.
Victory Liner also has routes from Olongapo (P254) and from Dagupan (P331) to Clark International Airport.
Plaza Premium Lounge at Clark International Airport
Economy-class passengers have the option to pay additional fees to access the Plaza Premium Lounge. Unlike most airport lounges that only accept business-class or first-class passengers, it allows walk-ins with starting rates only at P650 (shower only).
If you need to access the smoking area, it will cost you P800; while two-hour use of the whole lounge (including buffet, shower, and smoking area) costs P2,480 for adults and P1,736 for children.
What to know when flying out of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport:
STARLUX Airlines has its own premium lounge at 4/F Departure Hall - Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. It's among the airport lounges on that hall, including China Airlines Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Cathay Pacific.
Also called the Galactic Lounge, it is accessible to Starlux Airlines' Business Class and First Class passengers. It is open daily from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The lounge features different kinds of seats depending on your needs. There are booths for groups and families waiting for their flights as well as smaller tables for two. Seats have USB ports and charging stations, and WiFi is readily available inside the lounge.
Premium passengers get to choose one (or more) dish from their ala carte menu, and enjoy the salad and bread station in the pantry. There are also plenty of options for dessert and drinks (alcoholic or not, caffeinated or not).
The Verdict
Is this luxury airline's economy seat worth the few extra bucks? Yes.
Base fare for a local low-cost carrier from Manila to Taipei costs P1,500 during a seat sale or more than P6,000 during a regular period. Then there's a non-LCC airline that sells Manila-Taipei tickets for more than P10,000. If you're spending more than P7,000 anyway, why not go for one that has pillows, a headrest, and in-flight meal and entertainment? Trust us, the reclining seat is already a welcome change.