If the JX can outlast DL on SEA-TPE, AS would presumably be somewhat happy, but I'm not sure why we haven't seen any coordinated attacks on key markets Delta is relying upon to fill planes (e.g. SLC, DEN, MSP). Maybe, they're just waiting until it goes daily (i.e. strike only after they are fully armed).

Switching topics, I thought CZ gave up on OW long ago. Having partnerships with the 3 OW airlines that matter most to them while not paying dues or opening up their lounges to the masses is a win-win in my book. Plus, they still have one toe (MF) firmly implanted in Skyteam.

JX should outlast DL cause SEA is a port indicating JX can work outside of the traditional Taiwanese markets (JFK, LAX, SFO). I mean SEA is still a Taiwanese focused market, but it has way more transfer passengers than the other three.

I don't see JX killing SEA unless they are merged into BR or bought by CI per government regulations (meaning they go out of business). The bilaterals the Taiwanese airlines have only have open skies to North America and Australia for long haul so JX has to make North America work (Australia market is much worse in this regard as the Taiwanese airlines cannot do transit business to China). They need lots of flights and ports from North America to fill the planes to Southeast Asia. As of now, it's only DL doing the deep discounts (and limited to SEA-TPE only). DL's other markets within the US domestic cities are heavily aligned to UA's pricing via SFO.

We have yet to see any of the Taiwanese airlines jump in to cut throat besides the inaugural (resumed flight) offer that was set to discount till end of November this year (but tickets had to be purchased ahead of time during the promotion back to Spring). A more clear picture may arrive in couple months when there is another non-peak period after Chinese New Year.

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CZ may have now appear to be not interested in alliances but it's unlikely they will refuse an offer from OW. I mean, what's the reason to depart from Skyteam when you have spent millions to get into one (and like you said, leave affiliate MF in it)? It's like CA in Star and CX in OW sailing in two ships. While DL joining MU may have some influence, it's not like DL is being super close to MU. DL still funnels more pax to ICN after getting KE to agree to JV. Membership renewal fees being the reason seems to be ??? to me.

The tier-ed members from other airlines are still getting passes to use CZ or other airline lounges in the Chinese airport, it's not like CZ is earning lots of cash by having Skyteam members pay for usage with the international traffic being low to China.

In my opinion CZ may have thought AA buying their shares for the slots in PEK as chances to OW, but it was just never there so it's now been described as CZ was never interested in OW to save face.

I have returned from my trip and thought I would post an update. I'd fly JX again, which is probably the important bottom-line, but I added more details below to help others make up their minds.

I did indeed wake up at 00:50 Pacific time and called Starlux Taiwan office to get a seat assignment for the outbound flight. The agent gave me a seat of my requested type, and informed me that an enhancement had been deployed, and I should be able to request seat assignment via "My Trip", though the 48-hours before departure limitation still exists. This was a big help to me personally, because the flight times were not really conducive to calling due to non-24H operation of JX reservation center, calling meant at least a 10-minutes wait on hold each time before speaking to an agent, plus I like being able to see the seat map while making my seat selection. I was lucky and both flights were not very full, so I was able to get the seat type of my choice despite selecting them between 40 and 48 hours before departure.

Through "My Trip" I was also able to request a meal, even though I was just choosing from one of the two options that would be offered later, and not getting a special meal type. Pre-selecting a meal resulted in getting my meal delivered a little bit earlier than others which was nice, as I like to finish the meal ASAP and then attempt to sleep.

I flew on 58506 on the outbound, and 58504 on the return. The planes were in good condition, as expected of essentially new equipment. I really like the seatback design of the Recaro seats. The doubled-over tray table opens up a space above it for a storage cubby and cup holder, which I found quite useful. Seat comfort is OK, and pitch is decent. As is common for airplane seats with IFE, there is an electronics box which impacts foot-well space. IFE selection was decent, I found something to watch for the limited time which I used the screen - I tend to prioritize trying to sleep on the flights due to having many hours of tasks to do post-arrival.

The FAs were great, both kind and diligent. The meals were so-so, I was not impressed by the special restaurant co-branded meal on my ex-TPE flight. Ground operations was quite efficient - my checked bag was out on the carousel by the time I had passed through immigration in Taiwan, and I only waited about 25 minutes for my bag at SFO after passing through Global Entry. It's not uncommon for me to wait 40 to 60 minutes for my bag at SFO with an EVA flight. JX provided an amenity kit (eye mask, socks, tooth brush/paste, ear plugs), as well as slippers, small pillow, blanket, and bottle of water at each seat (even in economy, where I was). All of these were positive, and did make JX feel like a better airline than average.

RDMs posted quickly to my AS account, but the EQMs did not. I called AS, waited for more than an hour on hold, and then spoke to an agent. She said an internal team needs to look into the issue, and I would get an email update in a few days. I received an email less than 24 hours later and my EQMs posted. So I am happy with the service from AS too (and I am a new AS customer, moving my business over as result of AS purchasing HA).

They got their 7th A359 and will get the 8th later this month and 9th in Q1.

LAX will go 10x/week on 12/22 and SEA will go daily on 3/1.

Assuming you mean 8th later this month - and according to Planespotter, the 9th and 10th will arrive in Q1.

They will hopefully get a A330neo in Q1 as well, so quite a few new planes joining these few months.

Sorry, yes, 8th later in December and 9th Q1. I didn't read about the 10th in Q1. I fixed it.

Does STARLUX accepts early check in at TPE T1? For example, if I'm taking JX804 at 1500hrs to NRT, can I check in at TPE T1 at 9am when the check in counters for JX802 departing at 1040hrs or other morning JX flights open? STARLUX has many flights in the morning at TPE T1.
STARLUX's website put check in counters opens 2.5hrs before flight. Has anyone tried checking in earlier at TPE T1? Will the check in counter staff turn you away and you really have to wait 2.5hrs before the flight? Thanks!!

https://www.starlux-airlines.com/en-...transportation

Apparently JX is done with Penang.

Last flight for Penang to be scheduled on March 29, 2025.

Hmm looks like some delay in delivery - the 8th A359 still has not arrived yet.

There's already 8 in operation.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/b-58507
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/b-58508

I really hope starlux can join OneWorld. It would make so much sense since China Airlines and Eva are with different alliances.

The main issue is if Cathy would veto as they would compete on some routes. I would like to support a Taiwanese airline but starlux is not part of any alliance I�m using like One world.

Taiwan would be the smallest country to have airlines in all three major global alliances. The U.S. does, and P.R. China does as well, but those are massive markets both in terms of origin and destination traffic.
Even India doesn't have airline members in all three alliances, and its population and its traffic numbers are much larger than Taiwan's.

I think that population and O&D numbers aren't a particularly useful metric. A connecting hub serves a different value to an alliance than an O&D hub. India's proximity to the ME carriers and their hubs, and the nature of the Indian market more generally, are why they don't have three alliance members.

Note that for a while Spain had carriers in all 3 alliances, and it wasnt because it had more traffic than other European countries.

Why is this Oneworld subtopic suddenly relevant again now? Hasn't that horse already endured enough of a flogging?

Because JX is still not part of OneWorld or any airline alliance.