Starlux to launch flights between Taiwan and Ontario, California

Taipei, Feb. 11 (CNA) Taiwan's Starlux Airlines announced Tuesday that it will launch new direct flights from Taoyuan International Airport to Ontario, California on June 2.

The carrier said in a statement that it plans to deploy the new-generation Airbus A350 on the Taipei-Ontario route. The Airbus A350 features a total of 306 seats, including four in first class, 26 in business class, 36 in premium economy and 240 in economy.

Under Starlux's initial schedule, four flights per week will run between Taoyuan and Ontario, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Flights will depart Taoyuan at 8:05 p.m. and arrive in California at 5:05 p.m. (local time), while return flights will leave California at 11:10 p.m. (local time) and land in Taoyuan at 4:15 a.m., according to the statement.

Starlux CEO Glenn Chai (翟建華) said that although Ontario International Airport is close to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), it has the advantages of fast customs clearance, smooth traffic flow in the surrounding areas and being close to numerous vibrant Asian neighborhoods.

The new route is expected to attract more passengers frequently travel between the Greater Los Angeles area and Asia, Chai added.

Starlux currently operates 10 weekly flights between LAX and Taipei. From June 2, the addition of the Ontario route will allow the airline to offer travelers greater flexibility and convenience, according to the statement.

Located east of Los Angeles, Ontario also offers easy access to major attractions due to its geographical location and convenient transportation. Disneyland is a 40-minute drive away, and Palm Springs, known as Hollywood's Playground, is only about an hour away.

Compared to LAX, driving from Ontario to Las Vegas saves 1.5 to 2 hours, the airline said in the statement.