StarFlyer Venturing into International Service – Taipei Taoyuan Inaugural
StarFlyer is a boutique airline based in the Japanese city of Kitakyushu. It operates a fleet of 12 A320s equipped with only 150 seats in a mono class configuration. Its main route is between Tokyo Haneda and Kitakyushu, but also flies a few trunk routes for ANA, one of its shareholders. It flew between Haneda and Kansai, as well as between Haneda and Yamaguchi Ube, and between Nagoya and Fukuoka. Indeed, you checked in with ANA for those flights. It has tried international flights before, which was a short 50 flights between Kitakyushu and Pusan, South Korea, but that flight did not last long. It has also tried charter work to Hong Kong and Seoul Incheon before. Finally, earlier this year, it announced that it will try international flights again, and Taipei will be its first chosen destination with expansion planned to Hong Kong and Shanghai in the future. Taiwan is a big tourist market, but is fairly saturated with both full service and low-cost airlines. Its original plan calls for three routes: Taipei to Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Kitakyushu. Their latest A320s, JA25MC and JA26MC, are equipped with Sharklets, as well a new cabin with a few updates on the galley, including ovens. They also feature only one over-wing window, instead of two over-wing windows. They are also hiring Chinese speaking flight attendants too. When it finally announced the inaugural dates, I was determined to fly the inaugural flight. I also want to note that Fukuoka is no longer on the plan because of slot issues. The plane basically begins the day in Nagoya with a morning flight to Taipei, and then an early afternoon roundtrip to Kitakyushu and back, and then a late evening flight from Taipei to Nagoya. It is clear that the Nagoya flights target Japanese tourists and the Kitakyushu flights targeting Taiwanese tourists. In the end, I decide on doing the Taipei to Kitakyushu inaugural because it is truly a unique flight and I expect more celebration on this flight linking to its hub. I hope you will enjoy this trip report on this unique boutique airline.
Full Album link: http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Ca...aipeiInaugural
This is a huge album because I include my other flights done during my three days in Japan. If you want to find out more about Fuji Dream Airlines, you can find pictures of the airline including its interior and service items. I will only share a few pictures here but feel free to go through the album.
October 28, 2018; Sunday
7G 800 Taipei to Kitakyushu Lv1135 Arr1435 Airbus A320-200 Sharklet JA25MC
As expected, StarFlyer operates from the older but recently renovated Terminal One. EVA Air is its ground agent, as it actually handles a number of LCCs including Peach and Scoot. Aisle 1 is basically where you check in flying all these airlines. The aisle area was quite busy because Peach was still handling check in for its morning bank to both Osaka Kansai and Okinawa. Later, both Scoot and Peach’s early afternoon flights to Sapporo were also using the counters in this aisle, which result in many confusions. In the end, things are sort out and I was the second passenger checking in.
Outside sign
Busy Aisle 1
Meeting before check-in began – two and half hours prior to departure
A very Chinese cultural thing to celebrate the inaugural – flower bouquets with celebratory cards
StarFlyer does not offer online check in for now but the line was processed fairly quickly, especially today was the first day. StarFlyer is a boutique airline offering certainly services expected from full-service airlines, such as free seat assignment including exit rows, complimentary food and beverage (more limited than traditional airlines), and free baggage allowance (20-30kg depend on your fares). However, its mileage program is limited to Japanese residents or people with a Japanese address.
StarFlyer is a boutique airline based in the Japanese city of Kitakyushu. It operates a fleet of 12 A320s equipped with only 150 seats in a mono class configuration. Its main route is between Tokyo Haneda and Kitakyushu, but also flies a few trunk routes for ANA, one of its shareholders. It flew between Haneda and Kansai, as well as between Haneda and Yamaguchi Ube, and between Nagoya and Fukuoka. Indeed, you checked in with ANA for those flights. It has tried international flights before, which was a short 50 flights between Kitakyushu and Pusan, South Korea, but that flight did not last long. It has also tried charter work to Hong Kong and Seoul Incheon before. Finally, earlier this year, it announced that it will try international flights again, and Taipei will be its first chosen destination with expansion planned to Hong Kong and Shanghai in the future. Taiwan is a big tourist market, but is fairly saturated with both full service and low-cost airlines. Its original plan calls for three routes: Taipei to Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Kitakyushu. Their latest A320s, JA25MC and JA26MC, are equipped with Sharklets, as well a new cabin with a few updates on the galley, including ovens. They also feature only one over-wing window, instead of two over-wing windows. They are also hiring Chinese speaking flight attendants too. When it finally announced the inaugural dates, I was determined to fly the inaugural flight. I also want to note that Fukuoka is no longer on the plan because of slot issues. The plane basically begins the day in Nagoya with a morning flight to Taipei, and then an early afternoon roundtrip to Kitakyushu and back, and then a late evening flight from Taipei to Nagoya. It is clear that the Nagoya flights target Japanese tourists and the Kitakyushu flights targeting Taiwanese tourists. In the end, I decide on doing the Taipei to Kitakyushu inaugural because it is truly a unique flight and I expect more celebration on this flight linking to its hub. I hope you will enjoy this trip report on this unique boutique airline.
Full Album link: http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Ca...aipeiInaugural
This is a huge album because I include my other flights done during my three days in Japan. If you want to find out more about Fuji Dream Airlines, you can find pictures of the airline including its interior and service items. I will only share a few pictures here but feel free to go through the album.
October 28, 2018; Sunday
7G 800 Taipei to Kitakyushu Lv1135 Arr1435 Airbus A320-200 Sharklet JA25MC
As expected, StarFlyer operates from the older but recently renovated Terminal One. EVA Air is its ground agent, as it actually handles a number of LCCs including Peach and Scoot. Aisle 1 is basically where you check in flying all these airlines. The aisle area was quite busy because Peach was still handling check in for its morning bank to both Osaka Kansai and Okinawa. Later, both Scoot and Peach’s early afternoon flights to Sapporo were also using the counters in this aisle, which result in many confusions. In the end, things are sort out and I was the second passenger checking in.
Outside sign
Busy Aisle 1
Meeting before check-in began – two and half hours prior to departure
A very Chinese cultural thing to celebrate the inaugural – flower bouquets with celebratory cards
StarFlyer does not offer online check in for now but the line was processed fairly quickly, especially today was the first day. StarFlyer is a boutique airline offering certainly services expected from full-service airlines, such as free seat assignment including exit rows, complimentary food and beverage (more limited than traditional airlines), and free baggage allowance (20-30kg depend on your fares). However, its mileage program is limited to Japanese residents or people with a Japanese address.
Comment