Phoenix, AZ Finally Has Nonstop Flights to Asia

Two Taiwanese Carriers Now Serve Arizona

For years, Phoenix travelers heading to Asia had to connect through Los Angeles or San Francisco, adding hours to an already long journey.

That changed on December 3, 2025, when China Airlines landed the first nonstop flight from Taipei at Sky Harbor’s Terminal 4.

The plane was completely full. A second carrier, STARLUX Airlines, joins the route in January 2026.

But the flight is only half the story, because Phoenix Sky Harbor is one of the highest-rated airports in America, and getting there early might actually be worth your time.

15 Hours Nonstop to Taipei

The China Airlines route covers about 7,000 miles and takes 15 hours and 20 minutes from Taipei to Phoenix.

Flights depart Taiwan in the afternoon and arrive in Arizona at 1:35 p.m. local time. The return flight leaves Phoenix at 4 p.m. Before this route existed, travelers had to add a layover and roughly six more hours to reach Asia.

The service runs three days a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with connections available to other Asian cities through Taipei.

Three Cabin Classes on the A350

China Airlines flies an Airbus A350-900 on the Phoenix route, configured with 306 seats across three classes. Business class has 32 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, so every passenger gets aisle access.

Premium economy offers 31 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration with extra legroom and larger screens. Economy holds 243 passengers in a standard 3-3-3 setup.

The A350 is known for being quieter than older widebody jets, with larger windows and better cabin pressure that reduces fatigue on long flights.

Business Class Gets Turndown Service

China Airlines business class stands out for its attention to detail.

The seats recline fully flat, and on overnight flights, crew members lay out a mattress pad and comforter to create an actual bed.

The airline partners with Michelin-starred chefs for its menus, serving dishes like filet mignon with porcini sauce and lobster with mapo tofu.

There is a self-service snack bar between cabins stocked with Taiwanese treats. Reviewers consistently rank it among the best business class products flying to North America.

Sky Harbor Ranks Third Nationally

Phoenix Sky Harbor earned the nickname “America’s Friendliest Airport” and the data backs it up. J.D. Power’s 2025 study ranked it the third-best mega airport in North America, behind only Minneapolis and Detroit.

The airport also placed in the top 10 for best shopping, dining, and airport art in USA Today’s readers’ choice awards.

Staff friendliness scored particularly high, and travelers described the terminals as spacious and calm.

More than 52 million passengers passed through in 2024, a record for the facility.

Over 1,000 Artworks Fill the Terminals

The Phoenix Airport Museum began in 1988 and now maintains a collection of more than 1,000 pieces spread across both terminals, the rental car center, and the Sky Train stations.

A 75-foot-wide mural called “The Phoenix” has been on display since 1962, depicting the city’s history from ancient Hohokam inhabitants to modern times.

Exhibitions rotate every six months, and admission is free. You can take a self-guided tour even if you are not flying.

The Sky Train Bridge Is an Engineering Marvel

The PHX Sky Train connects the terminals to parking garages and the Valley Metro Rail station, running every few minutes around the clock.

What makes it unusual is the 100-foot-tall bridge over Taxiway R, the first transit bridge in the world built over an active aircraft taxiway.

It is tall enough for a Boeing 747 or Airbus A380 to pass underneath.

Each station platform features artist-designed terrazzo floors made with materials like abalone shell, desert stones, and recycled glass.

The National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association named it “Job of the Year.

Waymo Robotaxis Serve the Airport

Phoenix became the first airport in the world to offer autonomous vehicle service when Waymo launched rides to Sky Harbor in late 2022.

The driverless Jaguar I-PACE vehicles now operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with curbside pickup and drop-off at Terminals 3 and 4.

Waymo says it completes thousands of trips to the airport each week, with an average rider rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

You can request a ride through the Waymo One app, and the service covers 315 square miles across the Phoenix metro area.

STARLUX Brings First Class in January

STARLUX Airlines launches its Phoenix-Taipei route on January 15, 2026, with three weekly flights increasing to four by March.

The Taiwanese carrier is known for luxury service and flies an A350-900 with four first-class suites, 26 business-class seats, 36 premium economy seats, and 240 economy seats.

STARLUX has partnerships with Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, making it easier to connect from other U.S. cities.

The airline has won multiple awards for service quality since launching in 2020.

Economy Fares Start Under $700

Tickets on the new Taipei routes are competitively priced. Economy fares on China Airlines start below $700 round trip, depending on the season.

Premium economy typically runs about 1.5 to 2 times the economy price and includes wider seats, better food, and amenity kits.

Business class can cost several thousand dollars but is often bookable with frequent flyer miles through SkyTeam partners like Delta or Air France.

Both carriers offer connections to destinations across Asia, including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Phoenix Now Flies Nonstop to Three Continents

The Taipei route joins existing nonstop service to London on British Airways and Paris on Air France, giving Phoenix direct flights to Europe, Asia, and dozens of cities across North America.

The airport also serves Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. City officials estimate the Asia routes alone will generate over $100 million annually for the local economy.

A new terminal is planned for the west end of the property to handle growing demand, designed to be the first net-zero emissions terminal in the country.

Visiting Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona

Phoenix Sky Harbor is located about 4 miles east of downtown Phoenix at 3400 E. Sky Harbor Boulevard.

The airport has two active terminals: Terminal 3 (John S. McCain III Terminal) and Terminal 4 (Barry M. Goldwater Terminal).

International flights, including the new Taipei routes, depart from Terminal 4.

The PHX Sky Train is free and runs 24 hours, connecting terminals to parking and the Valley Metro Rail at the 44th Street station.

The Phoenix Airport Museum galleries are open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and require no ticket. Waymo service is available through the Waymo One app.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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