Starlux Airlines: Ambitions to Join Oneworld Facing Challenges

Introduction to Starlux Airlines

Founded just before the pandemic, Starlux Airlines is quickly rising as a major airline in Taiwan. With a current fleet that includes A321neo, A330-900neo, and A350-900 aircraft, the airline is expanding rapidly. Starlux now offers flights to the U.S., including Los Angeles (LAX), Phoenix (PHX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA), with plans to introduce new routes.

Challenges in Joining Oneworld

A significant hurdle for Starlux is its lack of airline partners, which limits its operational capabilities. Currently, Starlux has a partnership with Alaska Airlines, but this is insufficient for expanding its reach. Over the past two years, Starlux's executives have expressed a desire to join the Oneworld alliance. However, details regarding this potential membership remain vague.

Competitive Relationships in the Aviation Industry

Oneworld is a natural fit for Starlux, as its main competitors are China Airlines, part of SkyTeam, and EVA Air, part of Star Alliance. Clearly, having two Taiwanese airlines in both of these alliances is not feasible, making Starlux the likely third member of Oneworld.

Challenges from Founding Airlines

The primary obstacle to Starlux's entry into Oneworld lies in the veto power held by founding airlines such as American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. These airlines can block Starlux's membership due to market competition concerns. Notably, Cathay Pacific has shown resistance to Starlux's entry in a recent shareholders' meeting.

Prospects and Solutions for Starlux

While the situation appears challenging, Starlux's CEO remains optimistic about the future. He believes it will take time to navigate these issues but hopes for consensus from other alliance members to facilitate Starlux's entry.

Information for Vietnamese Travelers

For those planning to fly with Starlux, the airline currently operates flights from Vietnam to Taiwan and then on to international destinations. Travelers should note that Taiwan does not require visas for Vietnamese citizens for short stays (under 14 days), but they will need to provide proof of onward travel and a detailed itinerary.

Airfare from Ho Chi Minh City to Taipei ranges from 3,500,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND, depending on the time of booking and ticket prices. Passengers can check and book tickets through reputable online travel websites.

Conclusion

Starlux Airlines is striving to join Oneworld, but this endeavor is not easy given the veto powers of founding airlines. However, with its continuous growth and desire to expand, Starlux may find a way to join the alliance and enhance its presence in the international market.

Article adapted and edited from: One Mile at a Time