Which Airlines Operate Non-Stop Flights Between Taiwan & The US?

Taiwan, an island roughly the size of Maryland with a population comparable to that of Florida, is a dynamic island nation known for its modern cities, beautiful natural scenery, and delicious cuisine. It’s a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers from the United States. With the increasing demand for travel between these two locations, several airlines offer convenient non-stop flights, making the travel experience more efficient and enjoyable.

High demand for the tourism market

The demand for non-stop flights between Taiwan and the US has been steadily increasing as airline companies cater to the post-COVID international travel boom. Nearly 400,000 Taiwanese are expected to travel to the United States in 2024, around 78.6 percent of the total in 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, according to data from the US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). Strong economic connections between Taiwan and the US have fueled the need for frequent business travel.

Taiwan is a major player in global supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, technology, and manufacturing, necessitating efficient travel options for executives and professionals. According to Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration statistics, almost all flights between Taiwan and the US in 2023 had load factors of 90 percent or higher. The announcement of new routes and higher flight frequencies by multiple carriers, which show a robust recovery in international travel, further highlights this demand.

Photo: Kelex Pictures | Shutterstock

Non-stop flights offer a multitude of benefits for travelers. By eliminating layovers and connections, they significantly reduce travel time. This is especially advantageous for long-haul flights between Taiwan and the US, which can take up to 15 hours. Non-stop flights also mean fewer logistical hassles, such as dealing with baggage transfers and immigration checks at connecting airports. In some cases, non-stop flights can also be more affordable than flights with layovers, especially when considering the added cost of meals and potential overnight stays at connection points.

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Taiwan has an extensive domestic and regional network thanks to several smaller airlines.

According to Cirium, a leading aviation analytics company, several airlines currently offer non-stop flights between Taiwan and the US. Here’s a closer look at some of the major players:

Major airlines offer non-stop flights

EVA Air (BR)

As a Star Alliance member, EVA Air is a major contender in the Taiwan-US non-stop flight market. In August 2024, EVA Air will operate 647 flights, providing 213,979 seats and 1,470,771,040 available seat miles (ASMs). The airline uses modern aircraft like the Boeing 777-300ER and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. EVA Air has been awarded the highest 5-star Airline Rating by Skytrax, the international air transport rating agency. Key destinations include:

• Los Angeles (LAX)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Houston (IAH)
• New York (JFK).

Photo: Sundry Photography | Shutterstock

China Airlines (CI)

As a member of SkyTeam, China Airlines, the island’s flag carrier, offers non-stop flights with Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. In August 2024, China Airlines offers 288 flights, offering 98,736 seats and 667,666,158 ASMs. On July 15, the Taiwanese carrier resumed flights between Taipei and Seattle (SEA). The airline had previously operated four weekly nonstop flights from Taipei to Seattle from 2004 to 2008, but it had to discontinue service because of skyrocketing fuel prices. The service, which launched with five weekly flights, comes as demand for travel between the US and Asia is expected to increase this summer. Be aware that their Taipei (TPE) to Honolulu (HNL) route has been canceled. China Airlines non-stop routes include the following destinations:

• Los Angeles (LAX)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• New York (JFK)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Ontario (ONT)

Photo: Phuong D. Nguyen / Shutterstock

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Taiwanese Comparison: What Sets EVA Air & China Airlines Apart?

These two carriers are key players in the Taiwanese long-haul markets.

United Airlines (UA)

United Airlines is a major US carrier with Star Alliance, operating 124 flights in August 2024, providing 38,812 seats and 251,074,828 ASMs. In October 2023, the carrier will also add a second nonstop flight between San Francisco and Taipei, as the airline caters to the international travel boom and continues to strengthen its leading US-Pacific market position. United uses a mix of Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. United’s key route is between Taipei (TPE) and San Francisco (SFO).

Delta Air Lines (DL)

Delta Air Lines, a SkyTeam member, launched flights from Seattle (SEA) to Taipei (TPE) in June 2024, flying direct from the United States to the island for the first time. The carrier operates 62 flights, offering 17,422 seats and 105,821,228 ASMs in August 2024, according to Cirium. Delta primarily uses the Airbus A350-900 for its routes. Delta hasn’t served Taiwan since May 2017, when the airline used to fly to Taipei from its Pacific gateway hub at Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT).

STARLUX Airlines (JX)

This relatively new Taiwanese airline is known for its premium service and passenger comfort. They’re launching a new non-stop service between Taipei (TPE) and Seattle (SEA) starting in August 2024. They also conduct direct flights between Taipei (TPE) and Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) with Airbus A330neo aircraft. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is also the hub of STARLUX’s partner Alaska Airlines, enabling travelers bound for Asia to easily transfer. STARLUX Airlines flies these destinations in the United States:

• Los Angeles (LAX)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Seattle (SEA)

Photo: Kittikun Yoksap | Shutterstock

Frequent flyer programs add value

There are two major frequent flyer programs offered for the nonstop flights between Taiwan and the United States: Star Alliance and SkyTeam. Star Alliance members include Eva Air (Infinity MileageLands) and United Airlines (MileagePlus). SkyTeam members are China Airlines (Dynasty Flyer) and Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles). Aside from the two major players, STARLUX Airlines (COSMILE) also provides valuable benefits for regular travelers, with Alaska Airlines as its partner.

The range of benefits includes priority boarding, access to exclusive lounges, and the ability to earn and redeem miles for flights and upgrades. These programs often partner with other airlines, allowing members to enjoy benefits on different carriers.