Taiwan-based luxury carrier STARLUX Airlines celebrated its third US destination and inaugural Seattle-Taipei flight on August 16, 2024, marking its arrival in the Pacific Northwest and at the hub of partner Alaska Airlines. This expansion enables seamless connectivity from more than 100 US cities to Seattle via Alaska and onward to Taipei and 23 other Asian destinations.
STARLUX tapped on trusted long-term partner SKC to plan a spectacular launch event reflecting the airline’s premium brand values and vision. Facing the challenge of a late-night inaugural flight, we creatively orchestrated a successful celebration through the following elements:
Strategic Scheduling: Instead of hosting a gate launch close to its 2 a.m. departure, SKC worked with STARLUX and SEA to execute a late-afternoon celebration that began with a visually exciting water cannon salute embraced by all, especially the media.
VIP Reception: The salute was followed by a much-praised reception well-attended by VIPs and community leaders. Port of Seattle commissioner Sam Cho, TECO director general, STARLUX CEO, Alaska Airlines CCO’s ribbon-cutting and gift exchange ceremony highlighted the new route’s significance in strengthening ties between the U.S. and Taiwan.
Cultural Connections: SKC also coordinated a lively performance from the Mak Fai Association’s traditional Taiwanese drummers, symbolizing the connection between Taiwanese culture and the Seattle community.
Lights, Cameras, Coverage! The launch received widespread coverage from major media outlets such as Business Traveler, MSN, Reuters Today, Simple Flying, World Journal, Travel Pulse, and Flyer Talk, as well as from notable aviation influencers such as Runway Girl Network and The Points Guy.
Following the launch, STARLUX received overwhelming positive feedback from VIPs and attendees, sizable social media engagements, and a boost in customer queries and bookings.
SKC and STARLUX demonstrated that launching a new route can be more than a logistical achievement—it has laid the groundwork for continued US expansion, and can be an unforgettable experience that connects people, cultures, and economies across the globe.
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