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Livery of the Week: Starlux

Starlux Airlines, a Taiwanese carrier, has rapidly established a reputation for its premium service and cohesive brand aesthetic since its launch in 2020.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Starlux A350 in Seattle
A Starlux A350 in Seattle (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result. 

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line. 

Starlux Airlines, a Taiwanese carrier, has rapidly established a reputation for its premium service and cohesive brand aesthetic since its launch in 2020. Starlux operates an all-Airbus fleet, currently comprising A321neos, A330neos, and A350-900s, with additional A350-1000s on order.

The Starlux livery features a sophisticated and understated design that emphasizes natural tones and subtle metallic accents. The dominant color on the fuselage is a clean, bright white, providing a crisp canvas for the airline’s branding.

Starlux Airlines’ first Airbus A321neo at Airbus’ facility. The airline has placed an order for the A330neo. (Photo: Starlux Airlines)

A key element of the livery is the tail, which is finished in “Obsidian Grey,” described by the airline as representing the color of evening, circumspection, and safety. This dark grey provides a strong contrast to the white fuselage.

The overall impression of the Starlux livery is one of modern elegance and refinement.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

American, United Halt Middle East Flights

These suspensions add to a growing list of airlines adjusting operations amid airspace restrictions and security advisories in the Middle East.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

United 777-300ER
A United Boeing 777-300ER. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

American and United are suspending flights to the Middle East, citing ongoing regional instability and safety concerns.

American Halts Doha Route

American has confirmed the temporary suspension of its daily nonstop service between Philadelphia and Doha, Qatar. The final flight before the suspension operated earlier this week.

The airline stated that the route is expected to remain suspended until at least June 22, pending further evaluation of the situation in the region.

“We will continue to monitor the situation with safety and security top of mind and will adjust our operation further as needed,” an airline spokesperson told Bloomberg.

American 787-9
An American 787-9 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The decision comes amid heightened tensions following recent military activity involving Iran and Israel, which has prompted airlines globally to reassess operations in and near the Middle East. American began its Philadelphia–Doha service in 2023, replacing its flights from New York-JFK.

United Suspends Newark–Dubai

United has also temporarily halted its flights between Newark, New Jersey, and Dubai. The airline did not provide a projected resumption date.

A spokesperson said the last scheduled flight – United 163 – operated from Dubai to Newark on Thursday morning.

United launched the Newark–Dubai route in 2023.

These suspensions by American and United add to a growing list of airlines adjusting operations amid airspace restrictions and security advisories in the Middle East. Several European and Middle Eastern carriers, including Lufthansa, Emirates, and Etihad, have modified or suspended select services in recent days.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Hawaiian Returns to Alaska After Two-Decade Hiatus

Now owned by the Alaska Air Group, the carrier is connecting Seattle and Anchorage during the summer months with Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330-200
A Hawaiian A330 in Anchorage. (Photo: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport)

Hawaiian Airlines landed in Alaska again for the first time in roughly 20 years earlier this month. Now owned by the Alaska Air Group, the carrier is connecting Seattle and Anchorage during the summer months.

Alaska finalized its acquisition of Hawaiian in September 2024. While the two carriers are not yet under a single operating certificate, Alaska has already begun using Hawaiian’s widebody aircraft in key markets.

These include the airline’s new long-haul routes from Seattle to Tokyo Narita and Seoul, along with Seattle-to-Anchorage. The latter started operating with Hawaiian Airbus A330-200 aircraft on June 12.

The aircraft will operate twice daily in each direction, linking Seattle and Anchorage, replacing Alaska’s Boeing 737s. Alaska offers nearly 20 peak-day flights between the two cities during the summer.

Currently, Hawaiian’s A330s are scheduled to continue serving Seattle-Anchorage through Sept. 11, per Cirium Diio schedule data.

A Former L-1011 Market

In the mid-1980s, Hawaiian added Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft to its fleet, which allowed it to reach more mainland markets from its namesake state. Around the same time, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland, Oregon, were added to its route map.

Service between Honolulu and Anchorage was also added. This route is now regularly served by Alaska with 737 aircraft.

Hawaiian continued to connect Honolulu and Anchorage through 1997, according to Department of Transportation data, with a mix of DC-8, DC-10, and L-1011 aircraft.

In 2004, the airline briefly revived the route with Boeing 767-300 aircraft, though it only continued until 2005.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Tel Aviv Airport Closure Marks Longest in Israel’s History

On Wednesday, Israeli flag carrier El Al posted a statement on social media saying its first recovery flights landed in Israel that morning.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

El Al Boeing 777-200
An El Al 777-200 in London. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Israel’s main international airport has been inoperable for the longest amount of time in the country’s 76-year history following airspace closures in the Middle East due to the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Israel closed Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport shortly after its strike on Iranian military and alleged nuclear enrichment sites on Thursday night. The airport has been closed to scheduled flights for over six days now.

The closure has caused trouble for Israeli travelers seeking to return to their country, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal. On Tuesday, Israeli flag carrier El Al was authorized to operate flights back to Israel for citizens traveling abroad.

On Wednesday, Israeli flag carrier El Al posted a statement on social media saying its first recovery flights landed in Israel that morning.

‘More than 70,000 people have registered on our website for recovery flights,” the airline stated in its post on X. “Based on this registration, we conducted a mapping of destinations to determine where recovery flights will be operated from. Flights will be carried out gradually, subject to government approval.”

Ben Gurion was previously completely closed for one day on Oct. 1, 2024, due to a missile attack from Iran. As of Monday, major U.S. airlines Delta and United have also paused flights to Israel.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

Air Sierra Leone Launches London Service

On Monday, the airline operated its first scheduled flight from its Freetown hub to the British capital, London. This is its first intercontinental route.

Lorne Philipot
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Engine on a 737 MAX
A CFM LEAP-1B engine on a 737 MAX (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Sierra Leone’s national carrier, Air Sierra Leone, has commenced flying to the United Kingdom.

On Monday, the airline operated its first scheduled flight from its Freetown hub to the British capital, London. This is the airline’s first intercontinental route.

The service is operated with a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, leased from U.K.-based Ascend Airways. The narrowbody aircraft seats up to 189 passengers in an all-economy class cabin.

First Intercontinental Route

The airline intends to operate a year-round service on the route, with up to three weekly rotations between Freetown and London Gatwick in the peak season. There is a significant number of Sierra Leone nationals residing in the United Kingdom.

Sierra Leone’s newly formed flag carrier operated its maiden flight in January between Freetown and Lagos, Nigeria. The route is operated with an Embraer E145 aircraft.

The airline has plans to expand its route network once it grows its fleet. It plans to add services to other West African capitals such as Accra, Monrovia, Abidjan, Dakar, Conakry, and Banjul in the future.

Lorne Philipot

Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.

Ryanair Aircraft Clips Barrier After Landing

A Ryanair flight from London Stansted struck a barrier while taxiing at Greece’s Kalamata International Airport on June 18, damaging its wingtip.

Tolga Karadeniz
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Ryanair 737 MAX 8
A Ryanair 737 MAX 8 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

A Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX aircraft arriving from London sustained significant wing damage after clipping a barrier while taxiing at Kalamata International Airport in southern Greece on Wednesday.

Flight FR6080, which departed from London Stansted Airport on the morning of June 18, landed normally at the regional Greek airport despite encountering turbulence during descent. However, while taxiing to its stand, the aircraft’s wingtip made contact with an airport perimeter barrier, causing visible damage.

The Greek Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) has not yet issued a public statement or report on the incident. It remains unclear whether any formal investigation will be launched, though standard procedure typically includes an internal assessment and report filed by the airline and airport operator.

The incident occurred during the onset of Europe’s summer holiday travel period, when many leisure destinations such as Kalamata — a gateway to the southern Peloponnese — experience sharp increases in seasonal traffic. Ryanair, Europe’s largest budget carrier, offers several weekly flights from the U.K. to Greek islands and southern mainland destinations.

No injuries were reported in Wednesday’s incident, and no delays or cancellations were noted on subsequent flights departing Kalamata.

Tolga Karadeniz

Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.

Cathay Pacific Adds More U.S. Service

Cathay Pacific is set to expand its operations in the United States later this year with more flights on a three-month-old route.

Ryan Ewing
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Cathay Pacific A350-1000
A Cathay Pacific A350-1000 (Photo: Ben Suskind)

Cathay Pacific is set to expand its operations in North America later this year. On Thursday, the Hong Kong-based airline said it will increase service on a three-month-old route.

Beginning in October, the carrier’s Hong Kong to Dallas/Fort Worth route will operate on a daily basis. In an April interview with AirlineGeeks, Cathay Pacific’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau hinted at “new opportunities” in the U.S., including daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth.

“But I think the immediate target I gave to my team is [to] make sure that the DFW flight is a success,” Lau said. “And if possible, step it up to a daily flight as soon as possible because I think we need a good daily product in order to achieve all the connections.”

The route, which launched in April as the only non-stop passenger service between Texas and Hong Kong, is currently operated four times per week. The soon-to-be daily route will be operated by an Airbus A350-1000.

Westbound flights from Hong Kong (Flight CX876) are scheduled to depart at 4:05 p.m. local time and arrive in Dallas/Fort Worth at 5:55 p.m. the same day. Eastbound service from Dallas/Fort Worth (Flight CX875) will depart at 10:55 p.m. and arrive in Hong Kong at 4:35 a.m. two days later.

A Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

At approximately 8,120 miles, the service is Cathay Pacific’s longest by distance. American previously served the route until pulling out in early 2020.

Bookings for the daily service will open on Thursday. The airline said the expanded schedule reflects strong demand since the route’s debut and will provide additional connectivity for both passengers and cargo between North Texas and Asia.

With this adjustment, Dallas/Fort Worth becomes Cathay Pacific’s eighth North American gateway served by nonstop flights from its Hong Kong hub.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 12:05 p.m. ET to correct the date of American’s last service between Hong Kong and Dallas/Fort Worth. 

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Airlink to Expand Fleet With 10 Embraer E195-E2s

Under the scope of an agreement yet to be finalized, Airlink will grow its current fleet, comprising of 68 aircraft, with the new jets.

Lorne Philipot
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Rendering of an Airlink E2
Rendering of an Airlink E2 (Photo: Embraer)

South Africa’s privately-owned carrier, Airlink, will grow its fleet with ten new leased Embraer jets.

Under the scope of an agreement yet to be finalized, Airlink will grow its current fleet, comprising of 68 aircraft, with the new E195-E2 aircraft, leased through Azorra. Deliveries from Embraer’s facilities in Brazil are expected to take place from later this year through to 2027.

“This decision marks a significant milestone in our relationship with Airlink. The E195-E2 offers the perfect combination of increased capacity, efficiency and flexibility, helping Airlink expand its network while maintaining the high-frequency service its passengers value. We are proud to partner with Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to introduce this new generation aircraft to Airlink.” Azorra CEO John Evans said in a news release.

Fleet and Route Network Expansion

Since Qatar Airways acquired a stake in the airline last year, Airlink is better positioned to carry out fleet and route expansion. The airline has its sights set on adding new services to Accra and Lagos from Cape Town, as well as Mauritius and Zanzibar, from Johannesburg.

Airlink has operated Embraer aircraft since 2001. The new aircraft will enhance Airlink’s economic efficiencies and reduce emissions across its schedule and network, which covers 45 destinations in 15 countries, including St. Helena Island in the South Atlantic and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

In addition, the new 136 and 124-seater aircraft are expected to achieve fuel savings of up to 29 percent compared to the earlier-generation E195s, which Airlink currently operates.

Lorne Philipot

Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.

Report: Emergency-Power Believed to be Online in Air India Crash

Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner likely had its emergency-power system online before crashing after takeoff last week, according to a new report.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Air India 787-8
An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Air India’s Boeing 787 likely had its emergency-power system online before crashing after takeoff last week.

According to a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday, investigators of the crash believe the aircraft’s emergency-power generator was active during the incident. Citing people familiar with the probe, WSJ stated that the preliminary finding raises new questions for investigators.

During emergencies where both engines fail, a ram air turbine (RAT) propeller serves as a backup generator from the bottom of the 787’s fuselage, according to WSJ. The electricity produced helps run flight control systems and other essential aircraft components.

U.S. investigators and the National Transportation Safety Board are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Air India flight 171 was taking off from Ahmedabad to London on June 12 when it lost altitude and crashed into a local medical college campus. The crash killed over 200 people aboard, leaving only one survivor.

The crash marked the first fatal crash and total hull loss for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

Taiwan’s Starlux Orders More Airbus A350s

The carrier recently launched service between Taipei and Ontario, California, its fourth destination in the U.S. It is also slated to add service to Phoenix.

Zach Vasile
Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

STARLUX Airlines' first Airbus A350-900 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after its delivery flight. (Photo: STARLUX Airlines)
Starlux's first Airbus A350-900 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport after its delivery flight. (Photo: Starlux)

Starlux Airlines of Taiwan has signed a new agreement with Airbus for 10 more A350-1000 widebody jets.

Announced at the Paris Air Show on Wednesday, the deal brings Starlux’s total A350 order to 18 aircraft.

“This aircraft offers efficiency, range, and comfort, making it the perfect fit for our strategy to optimise long-haul operations while delivering an exceptional passenger experience,” said Starlux CEO Glenn Chai in a news release. “As we continue to strengthen our international network, the A350-1000 will play an important role in driving growth, sustainability, and operational flexibility.”

Starlux, which has its headquarters in Taipei, operates an all-Airbus fleet of 28 aircraft, including A350-900s, A330neos, and A321neos. It has a total of 30 aircraft on order with Airbus, including A350-1000s and A350F freighters.

The carrier recently launched service between Taipei and Ontario, California, its fourth destination in the U.S. It is also slated to add service to Phoenix.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
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