Starlux vs. China Airlines vs. EVA Air Business Class

It really doesn’t get more impressive than this. Taiwan alone has not one… not two… but three stellar airlines that is internationally valued by travelers. Today we’ll do a three-way stack and do a high level comparison in which airline comes out on top. Let the battle begin…

Starlux vs. China Airlines vs. EVA Air Business Class

Flagship Lounge

Taoyuan International Airport is the flagship hub of these three airlines. For over a decade, we would swing by these lounges to have a taste of Taiwan before departure. Most recently, we checked out the Starlux Galactic Lounge. Don’t let the size of the lounge fool you, it’s an awesome place to chill before your flight.

To up the ante, Starlux even opened its second flagship lounge at TPE in Terminal 2. This space is great to take a shower when you’re transiting to other destinations around Asia.

Right next door, China Airlines Flagship Dynasty is the largest of the three airlines. I personally love the oriental design of the space.

It even has a separate restaurant area for its top tier Emerald and Paragon members.

I really needed to nap one time and you can even reserve a bedroom for couple hours to sleep.

Of the three, I personally feel EVA Air Infinity Lounge is the weakest in this category. Even though it’s a lot bigger than Starlux, the offerings are quite basic compared to the restaurant style of the other airlines.

Not to mention, the design space feels a little tacky.

Flagship Lounge Ranking

#1: Starlux Airlines (winner)
#2: China Airlines
#3: EVA Air

Lounge Network

Being the newest airline, Starlux is the weakest of the three in the network category. Having only two lounges in the world, it relies on limited partners for its Business Class passengers. Even at its TPE hub, passengers are directed to partner lounges at Terminal 2 since its flagship is all the way at Terminal 1. Luckily in Los Angeles, it is partnered with OneWorld Business Class, which is a decent lounge.

China Airlines is a member of SkyTeam alliance. Even though it has a big footprint in its global network, their lounges tend to be meh at best. Thankfully, SkyTeam Elite Plus members get access to all the Delta Sky Clubs, which tends to provide better space than other airlines.

EVA Air is a member of Star Alliance. Its lounges tend to be a lot nicer. For example, the LAX Star Alliance Lounge has a beautiful location overlooking Tom Bradley International Terminal and even has a terrace for plane views.

Lounge Network Ranking

#1: EVA Air (winner)
#2: China Airlines
#3: Starlux Airlines

Seat

Side by side, I think the picture(s) speak for themselves.

Of the three, EVA Air (right) is obviously the weakest. Though I slept more than 6+ hours before in it, the seat is by far the most “outdated”. Personally, China Airlines has way more comfortable bedding.

Meanwhile, Starlux outshines EVA by miles. Just look at this seat.

Forgot your charger? No problem, the seat has wireless charging for your phone.

Don’t want to use their premium headphones? No problem, their 4K screens can connect bluetooth to your AirPods.

Seat Ranking

#1: Starlux Airlines (winner)
#2: China Airlines
#3: EVA Air

Dining

Starlux, no question. In fact, there is one amenity that automatically makes Starlux win by default — boba on a plane!

For flights departing from Taiwan, their catering is known to be especially good.

EVA Air has a good lineup too. In fact, if you score one of their special Hello Kitty flights, you get serve premium wines like the La Grande Dame Rosé, which retails up to $350 USD per bottle.

China Airlines is really good too. This is tough, but if I had to pick…

Dining Ranking

#1: Starlux Airlines (boba winner)
#2: EVA Air (champagne winner)
#3: China Airlines

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So who is the overall winner? I think the answer depends on what your travel priorities are.

1. How important is the ground experience for you?
2. How important is the seat experience for you?
3. How important is the dining experience for you?

Having flown EVA and Starlux this New Year back to back, I noticed EVA is starting to cost cut in some soft products. The amenity kits are no longer Rimowas and the champagnes have been downgraded too. Since it’s the most “outdated”, these little things definitely take notice. Thus personally, I find my overall ranking to be… (insert drum roll)

#1: Starlux Airlines (winner)
#2: China Airlines
#3: EVA Air

That being said, I’m just nitpicking here. In the end, we would be lucky to fly any of these Taiwan airlines again!