Starlux Airlines Launches Inaugural Taipei-Prague Flight to Europe

Starlux Airlines expanded its footprint into Europe on August 1, 2026, launching its inaugural Taipei-Prague flight with airline chairman K.W. Chang piloting the maiden service. The carrier plans to boost the route from three weekly flights to four in October and deploy its flagship Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

K.W. Chang Pilots the Maiden Flight to Prague

Just after midnight on August 1, 2026, an Airbus A350-900 lifted off from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and pointed its nose toward Central Europe. In the left-hand seat sat K.W. Chang, the chairman of the airline, flying the inaugural flight himself. Nine hours later, the aircraft touched down at Vaclav Havel Airport Prague at 9:01 a.m. local time, according to flight tracking data from Flight Aware, establishing the carrier’s very first European destination.

The milestone makes Starlux Airlines the second Taiwanese carrier to operate direct flights to the Czech capital, following China Airlines. The carrier, which launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, chose Prague over traditional western European aviation hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt. Company executives connected the route strategy directly to shifting industrial geography and supply chains across Eurasia.

“Prague is a long-favored destination for Taiwanese travelers, and growing semiconductor industry ties are expected to further drive demand between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.”

Glenn Chai, CEO of STARLUX Airlines

Semiconductor Supply Chains and Regional Expansion

The business rationale behind the Prague service extends past leisure tourism into high-tech manufacturing. David Steinke, head of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, noted that the direct link aims to promote exchanges in trade, tourism, education, and culture.

Starlux Airlines Launches Inaugural Taipei-Prague Flight to Europe — Photo: Focus Taiwan

To support growing demand, Starlux operates the route three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The carrier will increase frequency to four flights per week between October 1 and November 30, 2026. Looking beyond Central Europe, CEO Glenn Chai announced that the airline will soon begin selling tickets for flights to Barcelona, which will make it the first Taiwanese carrier to operate direct services to Spain.

Upgrading to the Flagship Airbus A350-1000

While the initial route launch utilized the A350-900 configuration, Starlux is preparing to introduce its larger flagship aircraft to the European run. Aeroroutes reported that the carrier scheduled a one-time A350-1000 service on August 11, 2026, with regular operations using the larger variant slated to begin on September 1, 2026.

Photo: Aeroroutes

The A350-1000 serves as the airline’s premier widebody jet. Starlux took delivery of its first unit in January 2026 after a 13-hour ferry flight from Toulouse, France, delivered by Chairman Chang. The aircraft features a distinct livery with a carbon-fiber motif representing advanced composite materials, alongside the prominent number “1000” emblazoned on the fuselage to signify its status as the largest in-production Airbus model in the fleet.

Starlux A350-941 first landing in Prague Flight JX101 from Taipei #starlux #praha #LETIŠTĚ #prague

Cabin layouts across the fleet emphasize high-end passenger amenities styled by BMW Designworks. The A350-900 carries 306 seats across four classes, including four enclosed First Class suites and 26 Business Class lie-flat suites. The larger A350-1000 expands capacity by adding 44 more seats overall, bringing 40 Business Class suites and 270 Economy seats alongside its First Class and Premium Economy cabins.

“According to our estimates, the new route could be used by more than 95,000 passengers in both directions during its first year of operation.”

Jiri Pos, Chairman of the Prague Airport Board of Directors