We were so excited for this one. We finally flew directly from Phoenix to Asia. Not through LA, not SFO, not Seattle. A real nonstop from Arizona, which felt like a small miracle as locals here. We flew Starlux Airlines from Phoenix Sky Harbor to Taipei Taoyuan in premium economy, a 14 hour long-haul flight, on our way to the Philippines and then Malaysia.
It was our first time ever in premium economy internationally, so we had no idea what to expect. Short answer: Starlux surprised us. The amenity kit, the bread (yes, the bread), and the little details made it feel like more than we paid for. The leg rest is a genuine arm workout though, so read on before your parents fly this.
Airalo eSIM (15% off first-time, 10% returning)
This flight was sponsored by Airalo. Land already online in 200+ countries, no roaming fees, no airport SIM kiosk. Code applies automatically at checkout.
The Airalo setup takes minutes: download the app, pick your plan, install the eSIM, and you are connected before you leave the gate. If you want a walkthrough, we have a full how-to-install Airalo eSIM video on our channel too. New customers get 15% off and returning customers get 10% off, and the code is added automatically.
Why Phoenix to Taipei Nonstop Matters
If you live in Arizona and have flown to Asia before, you know the routine: connect through LAX, SFO, or Seattle first, then start the real flight. Starlux flying PHX to TPE nonstop cuts all of that out. For us, it is the easiest gateway to Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. We were headed to the Philippines and Malaysia, but the point stands for any Asia trip.
We hope more people find out this route exists so the flights fill up and it sticks around. Our flight was not full, which was great for us (more on that later), but we want Starlux to keep flying it.
How Much Does Starlux Premium Economy Cost?
We paid $1,132 per person for Starlux premium economy from Phoenix (PHX) to Manila (MNL), transiting in Taipei (TPE). For a long-haul flight to Asia with a nonstop first leg out of Arizona, an amenity kit, real glassware dining, and fast Wi-Fi, that price felt fair to us, especially compared to what we usually spend connecting through LAX or SFO. Prices change with the season and how far ahead you book, so treat this as a reference point rather than a fixed fare.
Getting Seated and First Impressions
We got seated and right away it felt nicer than I expected. The cabin was calm, the boarding was smooth, and I had a feeling I was going to have a good time on this flight. For someone who had never flown premium economy, the bar got cleared quickly.
The Amenity Kit and Seat Extras
For premium economy, they give you an amenity kit, which already felt generous. Inside:
- Eye mask: cute and comfortable
- Toothbrush
- Earplugs
- Smiley chapstick
- Smiley socks: very long, very cute
- A water bottle pocket at the seat
A few things really stood out:
Slippers
They actually provide slippers in premium economy, which genuinely surprised me. I am still curious whether other airlines' premium economy cabins do this. It is the kind of touch I would expect a tier up.
Headset and Bluetooth
They give you a headset, but it is different from the business class one and the sound quality is honestly pretty bad. The good news: there is Bluetooth, so you can connect your own AirPods and get proper sound. Smart of them to include that.
The Screen
The personal screen is big and you can tilt it, which makes a real difference when you are reclined and trying to find a comfortable viewing angle.
Blanket
A Starlux-branded blanket with a velvet outside and a cotton inside. It is long enough to cover your whole body, which is not always the case in premium economy.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi was genuinely impressive. I clocked it around 52 and I was able to edit video, generate captions, and even watch YouTube in the air. Gaming with low ping is a stretch, but for everything else it held up better than most flights.
Online Meal Pre-Ordering
Starlux offers online meal pre-ordering for all classes, so Vincent picked our meals before we flew. That meant when service came around, our food was already chosen and we did not have to decide on the spot. If you are someone who wants a specific option, pre-order so you do not miss out.
There were three main selections (chicken, fish, and vegetarian) plus a "light menu" of Asian options and an "authentic Asia" fish dish. They even came around with a croissant.
The Food (and the Famous Bread)
Here is the part I keep thinking about. The presentation in premium economy was way above what I expected: metal utensils, glass plates, even a glass cup. I did not think premium economy would serve it like this.
The Bread
I have to say it. This was the best bread I have ever had on a plane, and I have flown a lot. The first round was soft and came with butter (use a fork if your tray does not have a knife, though mine did once I dug around). Later there was a pretzel bread and it smelled and tasted incredible. I am on a diet and I could not stop eating it. People will say it is just bread, but trust me, I had low expectations for premium economy and the bread won me over.
First Meal: Chicken Pasta vs Goan Fish Curry
First meal: chicken fettuccine pasta and Goan fish curry
I had the chicken fettuccine pasta. The chicken was soft and juicy, not dry at all. The pasta itself was just okay, a little bland, which can happen at high elevation (bring a little salt). I would give it a three out of five.
Vincent had the Goan fish curry with coconut rice, and that one was better. It tasted like Southeast Asian food and I loved it. If you have to choose between the pasta and the fish curry, get the Goan fish curry. Vincent even traded me his fish for my pasta, which I am choosing to read as love.
There was also a quinoa, kale, and shrimp salad that was light and healthy, plus a cream puff for dessert.
Second Meal: Pork Lasagna vs Congee
The second service was even better. They served a seasoned baby pork and a croissant first (the croissant was very good), then the main pork lasagna Bolognese. The lasagna was warm, a little on the saltier side, with good vegetables. It was clearly better than the earlier pasta.
Vincent ordered the congee, which came with eggplant and some herbs, and it was super refreshing. He usually does not like eggplant and he ate it all, so that tells you something. Both the Western (lasagna) and Asian (congee) options are solid, so pick based on your mood.
Surprise Hits
Two things I did not see coming:
- Peach juice. I have never seen an airline serve peach juice and it was really good.
- The melon. So sweet. I have a hard time finding melon this good even at US grocery stores, so I was impressed.
After meals they came around with both a coffee person and a tea person who actually ask you what you would like, and a moisturizing towelette that doubles as a little cloth (it smells nice but strong, so I used it on my hands).
Sleeping on the 14-Hour Flight
I slept almost 8 hours, which is the longest I have ever slept on a plane. A couple of things helped:
- Melatonin. I usually cannot sleep without it, so I took a melt-in-your-mouth travel-size one. Vincent took one too even though he tried not to, and on a 14 hour flight it is worth it.
- A hydrating sheet mask. The cabin is very dry, so I wore my favorite Korean hydration mask (not sponsored, nobody sponsors me for this stuff). I came out feeling reborn.
Starlux premium economy legroom and leg rest
The seat reclines and angles back more than economy, which is a big plus. The leg rest area is where it gets less comfortable. I have short legs so it was fine for me, but Vincent found it uncomfortable and ended up crisscrossing his legs to find a good position.
Pro Tip: The Rear Seats
I personally liked the rear seats. The seat backs against a wall, so they still recline fully without bothering anyone behind you, and there is a curtain that makes it private. The one downside is traffic: flight attendants pass through a lot. But it was not a full flight, so there were empty seats everywhere and some people even got three seats to themselves to lie down. Lucky them.
A Warning About the Leg Rest
I have to be honest about this part. Adjusting the leg rest and footrest is a real workout. You press a button, then you have to manually pull and push, and some of the buttons are genuinely hard to press. It is basically a leg press at 35,000 feet.
We watched the older passengers in front of us struggle to adjust theirs. So if your parents are flying Starlux premium economy, show them how it works first, or honestly, tell them to work out before they fly. I am only half joking.
Is Starlux Premium Economy Worth It?
For our first time in premium economy, Starlux made a great impression. The nonstop from Phoenix alone is a huge win for Arizona travelers, and the experience on board punched above what I expected.
What we loved:
- Nonstop PHX to TPE (no LAX, SFO, or Seattle connection)
- The amenity kit, slippers, and the tilting screen
- That bread (the best plane bread we have had)
- Online meal pre-ordering
- Genuinely fast Wi-Fi
- Goan fish curry, pork lasagna, congee, peach juice, and that melon
- Private rear seats on a non-full flight
What to keep in mind:
- The included headset sounds bad, so bring AirPods and use Bluetooth
- Skip the chicken pasta, order the Goan fish curry or the pork lasagna
- The leg rest takes real effort to adjust, especially for older travelers
We are flying Taipei back to Phoenix in business class next (partly so we can grab bubble tea in Taipei first), so stay tuned for that comparison. For now, if you are in Arizona and thinking about Asia, Starlux premium economy is an easy recommendation.
