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Taipei: The New Asia Connector & Why Ontario is a Hidden Gem for Flights to Asia

Travel
February 07, 2025•3 min read

Big news, travelers! Starlux Airlines just announced its next U.S. destination, and it might not be what you expected—or maybe it is? If you’re looking for a great way to get to Asia (and score a killer business class deal using points), keep reading!

Starlux Launching Taipei to Ontario Flights in June 2025

Mark your calendars! Starting June 2, 2025, Starlux Airlines is rolling out 4x weekly flights between Taipei (TPE) and Ontario, California (ONT). Here’s the schedule:

  • JX10 Taipei to Ontario: Departs 8:05 PM, Arrives 5:05 PM

  • JX09 Ontario to Taipei: Departs 11:10 PM, Arrives 4:15 AM (+2 days)

Starlux’s Newest West Coast Route

This 6,831-mile route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, taking 12 hours eastbound and 14 hours westbound.

They’re using the sleek Airbus A350-900, which means top-tier comfort with:

  • 4 First Class seats

  • 26 Business Class seats

  • 36 Premium Economy seats

  • 240 Economy seats

This will be Starlux’s fourth U.S. destination, joining Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA). Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but stay tuned!

Why Ontario? Here’s My Take

You might be wondering—why Ontario and not a bigger airport? Well, there are some solid reasons for this move.

1. It’s All About the Community

Ontario is smack in the middle of a huge Taiwanese and Chinese-American population, making it a convenient option for travelers flying back home.

2. Incentives Make It Happen

Back when China Airlines launched the same route in 2018, Ontario Airport offered some sweet incentives. Since that flight has been a massive success (now flying daily), Starlux is probably getting a great deal to join in.

3. Taipei is a Mega Connector

Taipei is one of Asia’s busiest hubs, with tons of flights to places like Thailand, Japan, and the Philippines. If you’re heading to Asia, Taipei is a fantastic connection point.

Consider these insane numbers:

  • San Francisco (SFO) has up to seven daily flights to Taipei on four airlines.

  • Los Angeles (LAX) has up to seven daily flights to Taipei on three airlines.

  • Seattle (SEA) has five daily flights to Taipei on four airlines.

Bottom line? Taiwan moves serious traffic, and now Ontario is getting a bigger piece of the action.

Sweet Spot Alert: Book Starlux Business Class for 75K Alaska Miles!

Here’s what I’m really excited about—you can book Starlux business class for just 75,000 Alaska Miles. But there’s a limited-time way to do this:

  • Transfer AMEX points to Hawaiian Airlines.`

  • Convert Hawaiian miles to Alaska Airlines miles.

  • Use Alaska miles to book Starlux business class on the Alaska Airlines website.

This is a crazy-good redemption, so if you have AMEX points, jump on this fast!

The Bottom Line

Starting June 2025, Starlux is bringing Taipei-Ontario flights to the table, making Ontario an unexpected sweet spot for Asia travel. If you’re looking for an easy way to fly Starlux’s amazing business class, now’s the time to cash in your points and book smart!

Stay tuned for more travel hacks and deals—because that’s what we do here at Ben’s Big Deal!

Ben's Big Deal is more than just a business—it's a passion project fueled by a decade of travel experience. With top-tier status earned through American Airlines and Hyatt, Ben brings unparalleled expertise to the world of points and miles. His dedication to maximizing benefits and finding exclusive deals has made him a respected figure in the travel community. As a sought-after speaker and avid contributor across various platforms, Ben is committed to sharing his insights and helping others achieve their travel goals.

Ben Komenkul

Ben's Big Deal is more than just a business—it's a passion project fueled by a decade of travel experience. With top-tier status earned through American Airlines and Hyatt, Ben brings unparalleled expertise to the world of points and miles. His dedication to maximizing benefits and finding exclusive deals has made him a respected figure in the travel community. As a sought-after speaker and avid contributor across various platforms, Ben is committed to sharing his insights and helping others achieve their travel goals.

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