STARLUX has today taken delivery of their first Airbus A330-900neo, launching their widebody fleet. The delivery is the first of 26 Airbus widebody that will join the STARLUX fleet including eight Airbus A330-900neos and 18 A350s.
On Monday (February 21, 2022), Airbus announced the delivery of STARLUX’s first Airbus A330-900neo, marking the launch of the carrier’s widebody fleet. Ultimately, 26 new widebody Airbus aircraft will join the airline’s fleet including eight A330neos and 18 A350s. The new A330neo and one A350 are being acquired on lease for Air Lease Corporation (ALC), while STARLUX has 17 A350s on direct order with Airbus. The carrier’s new A330neo features a two-class cabin with 38 Business Class and 269 Economy Class seats. The aircraft joins STARLUX’s existing fleet of seven A321neos and will complement the airline’s network by flying regional routes from Taiwan to the wider Asia-Pacific region.
In Monday’s announcment, STARLUX Airlines’ Founder and Chairman, K.W. Chang, said,
“I am delighted to welcome our first A330neo, as it marks a key milestone in our growth. Having already operated modern and efficient single-aisle A321neo, we are confident that the A330neo will bring even more flexibility and efficiency in our network strategy, whilst optimising cost efficiency and achieving high passenger comfort. We are also looking forward to starting to take delivery of our A350s in the coming months.”
Also commenting on the A330neoi delivery, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer, Christian Scherer, said,
“We are excited to work closely with STARLUX to build their new fleet. Together the A321neo, A330neo and A350 will enable the carrier to benefit from the unique technical commonality and efficiency offered by our latest generation aircraft. In addition they offer the best levels of comfort in their respective size categories, which will be a key element for STARLUX in delivering its premium in-flight experience.”
STARLUX has also signed up for the computer-based Airbus Cockpit Experience (ACE) Suite training solution, which uses a ‘learning by discovery’ approach that simulates a 3D Cockpit environment with guided lessons and free play. The ACE Suite provides significant time savings off high-level devices training, and provides users with better knowledge retention and continuous skills reinforcement. The training solution is approved by EASA and is aligned with ICAO regulations.
At the end of January 2022, the Airbus A330 Family had won over 1,800 orders, including 353 A330neos, from 23 global customers.
STARLUX’s new A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the exclusive engine for the aircraft and the latest generation in the Trent Family, which has clocked over 150 million engine flying hours across 26 years of operations.
In a separate announcement today, Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace’s Chief Customer Officer, Ewen McDonald, said,
“We are proud to power STARLUX’s first widebody aircraft, the Trent 7000 powered A330neo. We appreciate the trust STARLUX has placed in us and are committed to supporting them in operating this excellent aircraft, to bring sustainability, efficiency, and connectivity across their network.”
The Trent 7000 entered service in November 2018, building on the unprecedented performance of the Trent 700 combined with the engine technology of the Trent XWB. The Trent 7000 offers a 14 percent reduction in fuel burn per seat compared to its predecessor and also offers a significantly reduced noise profile. The engine is certified to operate on 50 percent SAF and will be certified to run on 100 percent SAF in the near future.
Based in Los Angeles, California, Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) is a leading global aircraft leasing company. The ALC team is principally involved in the purchase of commercial aircraft and leasing them to airlines worldwide with customized leasing and financing solutions.
STARLUX currently operates seven 188-seat Airbus A321neos with eight Business Class and 180 Economy Class seats. Business Class seats convert into an 82-inch full lie-flat bed and every Economy seat features a personal entertainment system. The STARLUX A321neo cabin was designed by BMW Group Designworks and features natural and warm colors to evoke the sense of being home. Flights on departure from Taiwan feature Business Class meals prepared by the Michelin Taiwanese restaurant Longtail, while Economy Class guests enjoy a menu created by the renowned Japanese-Style restaurant Hutong in Taiwan.
Source(s): Airbus, Air Lease Corporation, STARLUX, Rolls-Royce