Airlines of Taiwan

Taiwan's market has a clean "2+1+1" shape: full-service giants China Airlines and EVA Air, boutique newcomer STARLUX, and LCC Tigerair Taiwan. Each has a clear use case, especially for cross-strait and transit itineraries.

China Airlines (CI), founded in 1959 and a SkyTeam member, spans Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania with a world-top-tier cargo arm and famous special liveries on its A350s and 777s.

EVA Air (BR), a five-star Star Alliance member, owns the North America story — dense Taipei service to LA, SF, New York and Vancouver, the acclaimed Royal Laurel business class, and the Hello Kitty jets. Subsidiaries Mandarin Airlines (AE) and UNI AIR (B7) handle domestic and offshore-island flying.

STARLUX (JX), launched in 2020 by EVA founder's son K.W. Chang, fields a factory-new A350/A330neo fleet with elevated product in every cabin — "Taiwan's boutique airline". From Japan/Korea and Southeast Asia it now reaches the US West Coast, priced between Tigerair and the big two.

Tigerair Taiwan (IT), the China Airlines group's LCC, bets almost everything on Japan and Korea — Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Seoul, Jeju — plus Southeast Asian beach spots. Promo one-ways land near NT$1,000, with bags, seats and meals sold separately: total up the bundle before comparing.

Taoyuan (TPE) is the shared hub, its two terminals linked by metro; downtown Songshan (TSA) serves domestic routes, some Japan/Korea flights and select cross-strait cities. Cross-strait fares spike around Lunar New Year and summer — book 6–8 weeks ahead; mainland residents need valid travel permits before ticketing.