Starlux Airlines launches first European route with Taipei-Prague flight

Starlux Airlines launched its first European route on August 1, 2026, with an inaugural flight between Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei and Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG). 

The route makes Starlux the second Taiwanese carrier to fly directly to the Czech capital, after China Airlines.

Starlux Chairman K.W. Chang piloted the maiden flight himself, departing Taipei at 00:50 local time and landing in Prague at 09:01 local time, according to flight-tracking data. 

The airline said it will operate three round-trip flights per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, increasing to four weekly flights starting October 1, 2026. 

Regular outbound flights are scheduled to depart Taipei at 00:10 local time and arrive in Prague at 07:50 local time, while return flights depart Prague at 10:20 local time and land in Taipei at 05:10 local time the following day.

An Airbus upgrade on the way

The route will initially operate with an Airbus A350-900, before shifting to the larger A350-1000 starting September 1, 2026, a configuration that seats 350 passengers across four cabin classes. 

Prague is currently Starlux’s only European destination, and the airline is the sole carrier offering First Class service on the Taipei-Prague route.

A milestone in the airline’s global expansion

Starlux CEO Glenn Chai described Prague as an important milestone in the airline’s long-term network development, pointing to growing business travel demand tied to the expanding semiconductor supply chain ties between Taiwan and the Czech Republic, along with rising leisure travel between the two regions. 

Chai also announced that Starlux will soon begin selling tickets for a new route to Barcelona, which would make it the first Taiwanese airline to offer direct service to Spain.

Passengers connecting through Starlux’s Taipei hub can reach a range of other Asian destinations the airline serves, including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore.

Martin Kučera, a member of Prague Airport’s Board of Directors, welcomed the new connection, saying the airline’s choice of Prague as its first European destination reflects confidence in the airport’s partnership and appeal. 

David Steinke, head of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, said he hopes the new route will draw more Taiwanese visitors to the Czech Republic while strengthening exchanges in tourism, trade, education, and culture between the two countries.

Sorayama-themed aircraft and a celebrity ambassador

Two specially designed aircraft, named Airsorayama Silver and Airsorayama Gold and featuring artwork by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, are set to appear regularly on the Prague route alongside Tokyo and Phoenix, the only other destinations where the aircraft are expected to fly. 

Starting in October 2026, Starlux also plans to introduce Sorayama-themed boarding passes, baggage tags, placemats, and amenity kits on the route.

To mark the launch, Starlux and Taiwan’s Tourism Administration invited Czech baseball player and engineer Ondřej Satoria, known in Taiwan for striking out Japanese star Shohei Ohtani at this year’s World Baseball Classic, to fly the inaugural Prague-to-Taipei leg for a nine-day tour of Taiwan. 

Mandopop singer Jolin Tsai is also serving as a brand ambassador for the launch, recording a new version of her song “Prague Square” and filming an accompanying music video in the city.

Starlux has not announced additional European destinations beyond Prague and the upcoming Barcelona route.

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