Metro Phoenix Aviation Thread

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by xymox

I thought I remember reading about this before where the plan was to add this concourse to T3 - move some AA flights there (with the connector between terminals) and then close the B concourse and upgrade it for larger planes (more international). Then the West Terminal construction phase I would start.

If there's a plan to split American's flights between the two terminals, then a connector would definitely be justified.

[xymox]

More details on north concourse 2 for T3.

“Our new six gate concourse will provide airlines with more space to do business and also provide us with an opportunity to add new passenger services such as additional concessions and an inviting lounge featuring stunning views and premium amenities.”

The new concourse will add approximately 173,000 square feet of space and will feature a multi-level design, including a passenger level with gate hold rooms, public restrooms and spaces for future retail or tenant build-outs. An upper mezzanine level will provide a lounge, back-of-house areas and an exterior terrace, while the apron level will accommodate aircraft service and provide essential support spaces.

The new elevated connector bridge will link the North 2 Concourse to the existing Terminal 3 processor, and the design also includes provisions for a future tunnel connection to Terminal 4’s North Concourse.

https://azbigmedia.com/real-estate/const...million-north-2-concourse-in-terminal-3/

[phxguy90]

Boom! First direct flight to Asia for PHX.

https://bsky.app/profile/ishrionaviation.bsky.social/post/3lpmu2z6hoc2p

[halicem]

Originally Posted by phxguy90

Boom! First direct flight to Asia for PHX.

https://bsky.app/profile/ishrionaviation.bsky.social/post/3lpmu2z6hoc2p

YES!! The mayor talked more about it during her Q&A. She said another factor was cargo. With all these factories coming online, the chips travel by air anyway from Taiwan. Now they go via LA then put on trucks. But with these flights, they get to cut costs even more.

[Obadno]

It was only a matter of time!! But yes!

Starlux Airlines, a commercial airline based out of Taiwan, will start operating a nonstop flight between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport next year, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego announced May 20.

During the first State of the City Address of her second term, Gallego announced that the luxury carrier will start flying between the two cities in February 2026 either three or four times a week. The flight is still pending government approval in Taipei.

GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY

Find Local Events Near You

Connect with a community of local professionals.

Explore All Events

Phoenix has seen its international reputation bolstered in recent years as industry continues to be attracted to the Valley. More flights from across the globe have been added as a result, but the long-desired direct route to Asia has proven elusive until now.

Starlux’s service will be operated on an Airbus A350-900 aircraft that has 306 seats – four in first class, 26 in business class, 36 in premium economy and 240 in economy. Amenities on Starlux flights include in-cabin aromatherapy and Michelin-rated meals. First and business-class travelers have private spaces with sliding doors and seats with full-flat and Zero G mode. The premium economy section features extra legroom, a 40-inch Recaro seat with leg rest and footrest bar. Economy-class seats feature leather headrests and wide seat pitch.

Prior to her May 20 address, Gallego told the Business Journal that the city, which owns and operates Sky Harbor, put a lot of focus on getting a direct flight to Asia, specifically Taipei, after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. announced its plan to invest $165 billion into its Phoenix facilities – the United States' largest foreign direct investment ever.

“Christine Mackay [Phoenix's community and economic development director] and I flew to Taiwan to meet with Starlux and to invite them to come to Sky Harbor. We wanted to tell the story about what's happening in Arizona and why it would make business sense for them,” Gallego told the Business Journal. “They have since now visited several times. Phoenix Sky Harbor, GPEC and the airport’s customs team all worked to make this come together.”

Since 2019, the average daily number of passengers flying from Sky Harbor to Taiwan increased 370% from about 30 to 140 today. Gallego said she imagines that number will increase with the direct flight and as TSMC’s business grows in the Valley.

Starlux Airlines was founded by a trained pilot, Kuo-Wei Chang, who was the former chairman of EVA Air. Chang launched Starlux in 2018; its first flight was in 2020. Starlux already flies nonstop out of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle in the U.S. The airline currently serves 29 routes from Taiwan to the U.S., Japan, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.

“I knew from the moment I set foot in Phoenix that Starlux should make the investment to fly here. Not only is the growth of business between Taipei and Phoenix staggering, it’s a perfect match for our level of service,” Chang said in a statement.

Starlux has a codeshare agreement with Alaska Airlines in the United States and is seeking to joining the Oneworld Alliance before the end of 2025, making it easier to connect with American Airlines in Phoenix.

In a statement sent to the Business Journal, Starlux said it plans to market the direct Phoenix flight for both business and leisure travelers.

“The city has emerged as a hub for high-tech and innovation-driven industries, supported by a vibrant ecosystem that continues to attract leading technology companies,” Starlux said in a statement. “In addition to its business appeal, Phoenix boasts abundant tourism assets — from breathtaking desert landscapes to diverse outdoor activities — offering travelers endless opportunities for exploration.”

Gallego said economic development organizations like GPEC, as wells tourism organizations like Visit Phoenix and the Arizona Office of Tourism, will be making the case for the Taiwanese people to come to Arizona for business and pleasure. Gallego also said she wants Phoenix residents to know “Taiwan is a wonderful place to visit as well as a gateway to Asia.”

The flight is expected to have at least an annual economic impact of $100 million on the Phoenix area, Gallego said.

“I expect Starlux’s investment will help us increase business throughout Asia with a particular focus on Taiwan,” Gallego said. “The ability to go back and forth easily will be very attractive to business leaders who want to make an investment in the United States.”

Starlux is the latest airline to add direct international service to Sky Harbor. Air France started a nonstop flight between Phoenix and Paris in 2024. It later increased how often the flight operates and used a bigger plane because the demand was so high. This year, Aeroméxico also added a new flight between Phoenix and Mexico City.

Phoenix international flights add more than $3 billion to the local economy each year, according to the Sky Harbor’s most recent economic impact study.

[MiEncanto]

This is also a big deal for Asian communities in AZ. It will make travel to places like Vietnam, the Philippines and other corners of SE Asia far easier.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by MiEncanto

This is also a big deal for Asian communities in AZ. It will make travel to places like Vietnam, the Philippines and other corners of SE Asia far easier.

Now that direct to Asia is an option my wife and I were thinking about doing an Asian trip next summer last night. WE try to get 1 or 2 nice travels in a year, would not have considered Taiwan before but with a direct flight it ... why not check it out?

[N830MH]

Let me clarify this. I remember EVA Air came to PHX over a decades ago. This is part of Spring Training trips. Everyone knows about this. We went on the top of T4 parking garage. I take a nice shot of BR. That was so long time ago!! You remember that???

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by N830MH

Let me clarify this. I remember EVA Air came to PHX over a decades ago. This is part of Spring Training trips. Everyone knows about this. We went on the top of T4 parking garage. I take a nice shot of BR. That was so long time ago!! You remember that???

I don't remember there ever being a direct flight to Asia from Phoenix

But the period of like 2011-2014 was my Scottsdale post college party period so I don't remember much

[TllrSkyline-01]

Originally Posted by Obadno

I don't remember there ever being a direct flight to Asia from Phoenix

But the period of like 2011-2014 was my Scottsdale post college party period so I don't remember much

America West Airlines used to have 747 service from Sky Harbor to Nagoya, Japan during its peak. I think it was back in the 90's?

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by TllrSkyline-01

America West Airlines used to have 747 service from Sky Harbor to Nagoya, Japan during its peak. I think it was back in the 90's?

That flight involved a stop in Honolulu, so although it was direct service to Asia, it wasn't nonstop.

[KEVINphx]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

That flight involved a stop in Honolulu, so although it was direct service to Asia, it wasn't nonstop.

Phoenix is so provincial lol - I KNEW this sounded funny . . . born and raised and I never recall a direct to Japan flight but I always heard about this "direct flight" that, if you are correct, was never direct in the first place

[BA744PHX]

Originally Posted by KEVINphx

Phoenix is so provincial lol - I KNEW this sounded funny . . . born and raised and I never recall a direct to Japan flight but I always heard about this "direct flight" that, if you are correct, was never direct in the first place

Correct, it was never non stop and ran for a very brief period. Others have mentioned the first flight had only a handful of people (I’ve also heard only one person on the flight).

HP originally requested a TYO route but was denied and offered NGO which was an obvious one stop service a disaster!

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by KEVINphx

Phoenix is so provincial lol - I KNEW this sounded funny . . . born and raised and I never recall a direct to Japan flight but I always heard about this "direct flight" that, if you are correct, was never direct in the first place

It was direct (meaning no change of planes), but it wasn't nonstop.

[BA744PHX]

This will be interesting how this all plays out in the next 18 months with Starlux already confirmed for February 2026 launch. Let's see how this plays out with China Airlines & EVA Air.

Starlux will also use its A35X which has a capacity of 350 pax, instead of the A359 at 306 pax that was originally planned.
https://bsky.app/profile/wandrme.paxex.aero/post/3lrv5b4fjz22b

China Airlines is now considering PHX along with BOS & IAD
https://thepointsguy.com/news/china-airlines-new-planes-us-expansion-options/

EVA Air has interest in cargo operations to PHX for 2026
https://tw.stock.yahoo.com/news/%E8%88%A...5%BB%A0%E5%95%86%E6%A9%9F-071731300.html

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by BA744PHX

This will be interesting how this all plays out in the next 18 months with Starlux already confirmed for February 2026 launch. Let's see how this plays out with China Airlines & EVA Air.

Starlux will also use its A35X which has a capacity of 350 pax, instead of the A359 at 306 pax that was originally planned.
https://bsky.app/profile/wandrme.paxex.aero/post/3lrv5b4fjz22b

China Airlines is now considering PHX along with BOS & IAD
https://thepointsguy.com/news/china-airlines-new-planes-us-expansion-options/

EVA Air has interest in cargo operations to PHX for 2026
https://tw.stock.yahoo.com/news/%E8%88%A...5%BB%A0%E5%95%86%E6%A9%9F-071731300.html

About time we finally get some Asia direct flights.

[PHX]

That would be amazing to have two direct passenger flights and a cargo flight Taiwan. I know we are a ways away from that but that would be a lot of capacity. Now if we can get a direct to Tokyo. I’m shocked JAL hasn’t started flights being one world with AA.

[TllrSkyline-01]

Originally Posted by Obadno

About time we finally get some Asia direct flights.

I am very excited to see new international traffic at Sky Harbor.

HOWEVER - our infrastructure for large cargo and big flights coming in is quite weak as it currently stands. The international 'wing' on the east side of terminal 4 is quite a joke to say the least. With Condor no longer flying in, there is a little relief...but that is one flight only. If we want more Asia flights, this calls for an independent international terminal...and that is 10 years out, possibly more.

The cargo area is quite stretched as well, and with the new runway connection on the west side, Amazon will probably lose their building or a part of it. The current cargo facility on the south side barely handles UPS and FedEx as is. We should be getting UPS 747 cargo service coming in.

I don't see an urgency to get these items set up quickly...the west runway connection is moving some dirt, but I was expecting the activity to pick up heavily over the summer. I cut through the airport a couple times during the week, and I am quite underwhelmed with the progress being made with this. Not sure we can compete to handle heavy loads like LAX, DFW or SFO. Correct me if I am wrong, but no new cargo facilities are in the 'quick' horizon from what I can see...the big plan unveiled a few years ago on the north side of airport is very complicated burying the railroad tracks and clearing out the swap meet...that project is also not funded and over 10 years out.

What am I missing here?

[TllrSkyline-01]

I think Mesa Gateway or Tucson are better set up to handle cargo traffic as things stand. The southwest portion of Mesa has room with quicker runway access, and in Tucson - there is much room on the southeast side behind the current FedEX facility.

[Obadno]

Originally Posted by TllrSkyline-01

I am very excited to see new international traffic at Sky Harbor.

HOWEVER - our infrastructure for large cargo and big flights coming in is quite weak as it currently stands. The international 'wing' on the east side of terminal 4 is quite a joke to say the least. With Condor no longer flying in, there is a little relief...but that is one flight only. If we want more Asia flights, this calls for an independent international terminal...and that is 10 years out, possibly more.

The cargo area is quite stretched as well, and with the new runway connection on the west side, Amazon will probably lose their building or a part of it. The current cargo facility on the south side barely handles UPS and FedEx as is. We should be getting UPS 747 cargo service coming in.

I don't see an urgency to get these items set up quickly...the west runway connection is moving some dirt, but I was expecting the activity to pick up heavily over the summer. I cut through the airport a couple times during the week, and I am quite underwhelmed with the progress being made with this. Not sure we can compete to handle heavy loads like LAX, DFW or SFO. Correct me if I am wrong, but no new cargo facilities are in the 'quick' horizon from what I can see...the big plan unveiled a few years ago on the north side of airport is very complicated burying the railroad tracks and clearing out the swap meet...that project is also not funded and over 10 years out.

What am I missing here?

They already have in the works plans to redo our customs area and longer term the West terminal (Or new terminal 2) is almost certainly going to be an international terminal.

We will need it as we become a larger hub of international chip manufacturing