Starlux Airlines vs ANA (All Nippon Airways) Business Class — Full Comparison
| Feature | Starlux Airlines | ANA (All Nippon Airways) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Business Class | THE Room |
| Seat Type | 1-2-1 reverse herringbone on A350 | 1-2-1 enclosed suite with privacy door |
| Alliance | Independent | Star Alliance |
| Primary Hubs | TPE | NRT, HND |
| US Gateways | LAX, SFO, SEA, PHX | JFK, SFO, LAX, SEA |
| Top Destinations | Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka | Tokyo, Osaka, Honolulu |
| CEOFLIGHTS Savings | Up to 40% | Up to 40% |
Starlux Airlines
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Few matchups in Asian premium travel are as compelling as Starlux Airlines versus ANA (All Nippon Airways) in business class. One is a boutique Taiwanese upstart barely a few years old, dazzling the industry with design-forward cabins and a fashion-house sensibility. The other is a Star Alliance institution, one of Japan's flagship carriers, with decades of operational polish and a global network behind it. Travelers researching Starlux versus ANA business class are really choosing between newness and pedigree — both of which happen to be excellent, but in very different ways. CEOFLIGHTS® regularly books both carriers for clients flying between the US and Asia, and the right choice depends heavily on your specific route and priorities.
How Do the Seats Compare?
On the hard product, ANA holds a meaningful edge for privacy. THE Room, ANA's flagship business class suite, uses a 1-2-1 layout with a sliding door and roughly 38 inches of width — one of the widest business class seats flying, giving it an almost first-class feel on long-haul 777 and 787 routes. Starlux counters with a genuinely impressive reverse herringbone 1-2-1 configuration on its A350s, angled seats that offer excellent aisle access and a striking, design-led cabin aesthetic, though without an enclosed door. Both convert to fully flat beds with ample legroom; ANA's THE Room edges ahead on sheer privacy and personal space, while Starlux wins on visual flair and newness — its cabins still have that just-delivered showroom feel.
What About Dining & Service?
Starlux Airlines
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
How Do the Airport Lounges Compare?
Starlux Airlines
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Dining and service reveal two different philosophies. Starlux has built its reputation on high-end catering, partnering with acclaimed chefs and presenting meals with a boutique, almost luxury-retail sensibility, right down to designer amenity kits that feel more Ginza than gate lounge. ANA's approach leans into refined Japanese-Western multi-course dining, with meticulous, quietly attentive service that reflects Japan's broader hospitality culture — omotenashi in the air. Where Starlux service feels curated and trend-forward, ANA's feels deeply practiced and consistent, the product of a carrier that has run this playbook across generations of aircraft and crew.
Ground experience is where ANA's scale becomes obvious.
Ground experience is where ANA's scale becomes obvious. The ANA Lounge network at Tokyo Narita and Haneda is extensive and well-regarded, offering proper dining, sake bars, and pre-flight relaxation spaces befitting a major international hub. Starlux operates from Taipei Taoyuan, a smaller but increasingly important gateway; its lounge presence is growing but doesn't yet match the depth of ANA's Tokyo operation. For travelers who value a strong pre-departure lounge experience as part of the overall journey, ANA currently has the advantage, particularly for anyone transiting through Haneda or Narita.
Network is the clearest differentiator. ANA is a Star Alliance member with connectivity across dozens of partner carriers, useful for US-based travelers looking to combine mileage strategies or connect deeper into Asia beyond Tokyo and Osaka — plus a distinctive Honolulu route. Starlux, with no alliance affiliation, is a more focused operation built around Taipei as a connecting hub to Tokyo, Osaka, Bangkok, and Singapore — an appealing option for travelers prioritizing the onboard product itself over elite status or alliance perks. Both carriers serve JFK, LAX, SFO, and SEA from the US, making direct comparison shopping genuinely practical for American travelers.
Whichever direction you lean, both Starlux and ANA business class are available through CEOFLIGHTS® private fares, with savings of up to 40% off published rates. Our Personal Travel Managers can walk you through seat maps, route timing, and real-world differences between THE Room and Starlux's reverse herringbone suite before you book. Call (888) 851 6897 to speak with a specialist and secure the right seat for your Asia itinerary at a fraction of the retail price.
Book Your Premium Cabin Today
✅ Choose Starlux Airlines If You Value
- Premium reverse herringbone on A350
- Luxury boutique carrier from Taiwan
- High-end catering and designer amenity kits
- New entrant with fresh modern product
✅ Choose ANA (All Nippon Airways) If You Value
- THE Room — enclosed suite with sliding door and 24" width
- Japanese-Western multi-course dining
- ANA Lounge at Narita and Haneda
- Star Alliance partner connectivity in Asia
