Starlux Business Class Review – JX 5
Starlux Business Class Review – JX 5
Overview:
Seat : 5/5
Food : 5/5
Service : 5/5
Overall : 5/5
Starlux Business Class JX 5 – Los Angeles [LAX] to Taipei [TPE] | Airbus A350-900
January 2025 | Seat Map: Airbus A350-900
How I booked
This flight was the first leg of a Los Angeles to Singapore ticket I booked through the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan using 85,000 Alaska Airlines Miles and 12 dollars.
While Alaska Airlines miles are relatively difficult to earn (no transfer partners outside of the Bilt card) I do keep a card open for the Companion Fare and a stock of miles. This route I have typically seen for 150-250k on the Alaska Mileage Plan so I was ecstatic when this availability popped into my inbox thanks to seats.aero.
My home airport is Seattle so I did have to buy a positioning flight to get myself down to LAX, but ultimately all worth it to fly 14 hours overnight in comfort.
In this article:
Starlux 787 Business Class | The Airport
Starlux 787 Business Class | The Lounge
Starlux 787 Business Class | The Cabin
Starlux 787 Business Class | The Seats
Starlux 787 Business Class | The IFE
Starlux 787 Business Class | The Menu
Starlux 787 Business Class | The Service
-Dinner
-Mid Flight
-Breakfast
Starlux 787 Business Class | Final Thoughts
The Airport | LAX [Tom Bradley International]
Starlux flies out of the Tom Bradley International terminal at LAX which is a bit of a walk from the rest of the terminals. The terminal was quite busy at 5pm which was when my flight from Seattle arrived.
Check-in / Immigration
Check in for the 10:10p flight opens (allegedly) at 5:45p. And it had just opened by the time I made it over to the terminal. The business class counter was on the opposite side of the economy check-in, but clearly marked. There was no line and I may have been the first person there.
There is an option to use a kiosk to get a boarding pass, however a counter visit is required if you are checking luggage. Select airlines offer a bag drop (KLM, AirFrance, Cathay, SAS, Lufthansa, and Swiss) in addition to the kiosk ticket which is neat.
While it appeared there was quite the cattle herd for security, I have TSA pre and the TSA pre line was myself and one person who walked just a bit faster than me.
The Lounge(s)
I was informed I would have access to the Quantas Business Class lounge, which is also the Oneworld lounge. LAX sadly does not have any Priority Pass lounges. Last time I was here I had access to the Quantas First Class lounge on a JAL first class ticket, so will be curious how the tier below compares.
The lounge is located to the right and up an escalator to level 5.
Quantas / Oneworld Business Class Lounge
This is a large, ‘donut’ shaped lounge built around sort of an opening in the center. It was very busy at 6pm with what appeared to be 3 or 4 Quantas flights departing that evening. I believe some of them use the A380 so that especially may explain the crowding.
There are boarding calls over the loudspeaker, as well as shower rooms.
Lounge is shared by Quantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Sky Priority and other Oneworld Alliance carriers.
Moody bar area with self pour wine and bar service.
Loungy seating area just off of the bar
Lots of seating options just passed the bar area, with glass windows overlooking a central (empty) atrium.
More seating near to the restaraunt/food area
Even more seating
Rear of the lounge with comfortable loungers
Restaurant and lounge seating.
Cheese cracker and veg spread around 6p when I arrived.
Decent food options including pasta, a chicken dish, and soup.
The spread changed to a bit more Asian focused around 7-8p and I thought the food was better. Side dishes remained the same but mains now included meatballs, fries, fish tacos, orange chicken, fried gyoza/potstickers and a noodle bar.
Noodle bar
Showers were quite busy up until the Quantas flights departed, and after 830-9p or so there was no line. Showers were clean but could use a little maintenance. Can never really complain about an airport lounge shower though.
The Cabin | Starlux A350-900 Business Class JX 5
Due to ‘ground maintenance’ there was about a 30 minute boarding delay, with boarding starting at 10:20. Ground staff organized people into zones in the terminal area away from the gate which was great for crowding and crowd control. More airlines should do this.
Unfortunately only one jet bridge was used and priority boarding was given to families with young children and folks with mobility issues before business or first class, so there was a bit of standing around.
![Starlux Business Class Cabin | JX 5 | Airbus A350-900 [Photo Courtesy Starlux]](https://flyingonempty.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/350fleet_overview01_tcm27-7112-1024x682.jpg)
A modern cabin and really fitting of their ‘spaceship’ branding.
The Seats | Starlux A350-900 Business Class JX 5
The seat itself is gorgeous, with lots of storage and probably the largest screen I’ve seen for a business class product. It is herringbone style with little sliding doors for extra privacy from the aisle. While I do feel doors that don’t go to the ceiling are a bit of a gimmick, having them closed does add to the ‘cocoon’ feel
The aisle arm rest is retractable, and when extended is a little springy which makes it, I think, a bit more comfortable.
Pillows, slippers and amenity kit awaiting me at my seat 4K.
Probably the largest screen I have ever seen for a business class product.
Large cubby with complimentary headphones (and also my headphones), a bottle of water, and even more space. Plus a wireless charging pad.
Convened storage for smaller items, or a phone. With a lower rubberized arm rest sized perfectly for a phone.
Plenty of adjustable seat options, including a massage feature and ‘Zero G’ which we will be exploring later.
They’ve really captured the futuristic space ship aesthetic in this A350.
Shortly after sitting a welcome beverage of a strawberry banana smoothie was passed out, along with a warm (Surely it was supposed to be hot) towel. The warm towels will be a theme on this flight.
The advertised ‘Zero G’ mode. I don’t think I can go back. All planes need this – this is the most comfortable way to sit.
Just a good looking seat, isn’t it?
Entertainment and WiFi | Starlux A350-900 Business Class JX 5
This is the first plane I’ve been on with bluetooth connectivity to their IFE which is a game changer. A refreshing change is that announcements do not play over the Bluetooth. Whether this is the case for the wired headphones or just Starlux policy I am not sure. But I am loving it.
There allegedly was wifi on board, but I was unable to log in to use it.
A good selection of Western movies, both older and newer. On probably the largest screen I have used on a business class product. Wow.
The world map is my preferred form of entertainment.
The Menu | Starlux A350-900 Business Class JX 5
The menu was pretty hefty and had several pages of wines, food and drink. Including a, presumably, fancy selection of teas.
A pretty extensive wines list.
Food and beverage menu, including a selection of teas.
In Flight Service | Starlux A350-900 Business Class JX 5
Upon sitting, a welcome drink of a strawberry banana smoothie and hot towel (warm really) was passed out. Dinner and breakfast orders were confirmed and a drink order taken before departing. Flight attendants were also around to pass out pajamas and a hydrating face mask.
Pushback was 10:57 and dinner service began as soon as we reached cruising altitude.
Dinner
The table was set by the FAs for service. And one was around with a pour of your pre dinner drink order. The table itself is quite sturdy, and does slide a bit back under the screen however some folks may find it difficult to exit the seat during meal service. Fortunately the aisle armrest does go all the way to help facilitate a quick escape.
The meals were brought in courses and all was delicious – possibly some of the best food I have had on an airplane, the main especially.
Obligatory Champagne and wine shot.
Starter of a chicken liver terrine and a rhubarb compote. The chicken liver was not for me but the compote was really nice. People with a more … refined … palate may like the terrine.
Potato and leek soup, which was fantastic.
USDA Prime beef tenderloin, cauliflower puree, some grilled veg, with a whiskey peppercorn sauce. Probably the best steak I’ve ever had on a plane, somehow cooked perfectly medium/medium rare. Tender with a great sauce. I was especially impressed by the grilled vegetables which were both firm and had a good char flavor.
Fruit plates are somehow always a little disappointing. The ice cream was a bit too frozen, but really nice.
Post Meal / Mid Flight
After dinner the FAs are around with what are supposed to be hot towels. This one is warm at best, cold at worst. Maybe they are having a problem with the towel warmer or something. Not sure. They also offer to make up the beds with a comfortable mattress topper.
The provided PJs are suprisingly good quality. Thick, but light and breathable. My only comparisons are the Eva Air Business Class Pajamas, and the JAL First Class ones, but I felt these are better than both of those. Its always nice to see pajamas provided on these flights.
Ordered myself a cheese plate before settling in.
I forced myself to stay away until about 8 or 9 pm Taiwan time in order to stave off a bit of jet lag. I got a couple hours of comfortable sleep and woke up over northern Japan, a little after midnight with about 5 hours until landing.
Really pleasant evening lighting in the cabin.
Breakfast
Cabin lights came on at about 2:45a (Taiwan time) with about 2:40 left to destination. A hot towel (actually hot this time) was passed out along with a mixed berry smoothie wake up drink.
I went with the Tiawaneese congee which was fantastic. I was assured if i needed more congee, there was plenty.
Another hot towel was provided after breakfast, and with about an hour to go I settled in to Zero-G mode and donned the provided hydrating face mask.
With about 30 minutes until decent, the FAs are around to put away the mattresses and pass out some candies
Lavatories | Starlux A350-900 Business Class JX 5
As expected, the lavatories are clean and well stocked. With mouthwash and dental floss picks, however no toothbrushes (these are in the amenity kit). And there is of course my favorite in lavatory product – the face mist, as well as some decorative flowers.
Final Thoughts | Starlux A350-900 Business Class JX 5
The hot towel conundrum aside, I was thoroughly impressed by Starlux’s business class. The hard product and food especially set in my mind a new standard as to what should be offered on these long haul flights. The service as well was exceptional, up there with my experiences on JAL and Singapore. Flight attendants were friendly, courteous and quick – both during service and during down times (which future me will find is one of my biggest gripes of Turkish Air).
All in all, I will certainly be looking for more rewards availabilities for this airline for my trans-pacific trips. As we come in for a landing, I find myself looking forward to the next leg – a Teipei to Singapore route on their A321 Neo in a business class ‘lie flat’. Wow.
