Summary
Starlux Airlines took delivery of its second Airbus A350-1000 on July 3, 2026 — the first aircraft to carry the striking “Airsorayama” livery designed by Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama. The metallized silver finish, developed with paint maker Mankiewicz, covers the entire fuselage and marks a new benchmark for premium airline branding.
A companion gold-liveried A350-1000 will join the fleet in Q3 2026, together seeding Starlux’s long-haul push into Europe and Australia. Bookings on those routes won’t open until late 2026, but the cabin and outward presence already position the carrier as the most art-forward premium option out of Taipei.
The delivery event at Airbus’ Toulouse Delivery Center handed over registration B-58553 — the first of two flying canvases that will sport Hajime Sorayama’s vision. The aircraft joins a fleet that will ultimately number 18 A350-1000s, a scale that signals Starlux’s intent to challenge EVA Air and China Airlines on the world’s longest premium corridors.
Industry sources confirm the “Silver Sorayama” deploys a customized metallic paint layer developed exclusively for this dual-aircraft project by German coatings specialist Mankiewicz. The second A350-1000, B-58554, already wrapped in a gold Sorayama scheme, was spotted in Toulouse in April 2026 and is expected to enter service within the same quarter. Together, they represent aviation’s most ambitious artist-livery collaboration since EVA Air’s single-theme 2019 design.
The A350-1000 is no mere marketing prop. Its 350-seat cabin — with four First Class suites, 40 Business seats in 1-2-1 configuration, 36 Premium Economy recliners, and 270 standard Economy seats — forms the backbone of Starlux’s long-haul expansion. New routes to Barcelona, Zurich, Sydney, and Auckland are approaching final approval, and the airline has already extended its orderbook to 18 of the type after converting four earlier A350-1000s to A350-900s and placing a 10-aircraft top-up order at the 2025 Paris Air Show. The cabin specifications position Starlux directly opposite EVA Air’s four-seat Royal Laurel First and China Airlines’ eight-seat First on 777s, but with a fleet that is younger and more technologically uniform.
What the Sorayama aircraft bring to the fleet
The silver-liveried A350-1000 is the carrier’s second example of the type, and the first with the artist-designed exterior. A dedicated metallized paint system, co-developed by Airbus and Mankiewicz, creates a reflective surface unlike standard liveries. The belly features Sorayama’s signature “mechanical shark” motif, visible on approach. The second aircraft — “Gold Sorayama,” B-58554 — will mirror the design in warm metallic tones, forming a matched pair that is already drawing attention among aviation photographers and premium passengers alike.
Starlux’s A350-1000 page confirms the cabin layout and the airline’s commitment to a four-class product that includes 21-inch-wide First Class suites with privacy doors and 83-inch bed length. The 40 Business Class seats match the same 21-inch width but with a 78-inch fully flat bed and 18-inch IFE screens. Both premium cabins offer direct aisle access and enhanced bedding. The full specifications from the carrier’s fleet page are available here.
The dual-aircraft project was unveiled in early 2026, with both aircraft registered for delivery in the second half of the year. That timeline now lines up directly with Starlux’s route development roadmap, as the airline prepares to push into markets where premium cabin differentiation — and a spectacular livery — can cut through established loyalties.
| Airline | Aircraft | Premium configuration | Distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlux Airlines | A350-1000 | 4 First, 40 Business, 36 Premium Economy | Artist-designed metallic Sorayama livery |
| EVA Air | A350-1000 | 4 Royal Laurel First, 32 Business, 30 Premium Economy | Royal Laurel service and lounge network |
| China Airlines | 777-300ER | 8 First, 40 Business, 62 Premium Economy | Largest First cabin on Taipei routes |
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Why the livery matters for the premium traveler
The Sorayama collaboration signals more than an Instagram moment. It firmly differentiates Starlux’s long-haul product from the established Taipei incumbents. Both EVA Air and China Airlines offer respectable First and Business cabins, but neither carries an art-forward identity at this scale. Air Traveler Club’s analysis of Starlux’s intercontinental expansion underscores how the airline is building a “boutique premium” positioning — a strategy that leans on fleet modernity, onboard service, and now external brand gravity to lure high-value travelers away from rival programs. For anyone booking a long-haul flight out of Taipei in 2027, being able to choose the silver or gold Sorayama aircraft adds an element of curated experience that no competitor can match at present.
Positioning for Starlux’s A350-1000 launch
While no tickets are on sale yet, the delivery of the silver-liveried A350-1000 is a clear signal that premium inventory will materialize within months. Travelers aiming to be among the first to experience the new cabin — and the livery — should prepare now.
- Monitor August 2026 route announcements. Starlux is expected to confirm Barcelona, Zurich, Sydney, and Auckland services, with initial schedules likely targeting Q4 2026 or early 2027 launch dates.
- Book early for best Business Class value. Historically, Starlux offers promotional Business fares when opening new long-haul routes; those discounts don’t last long.
- Use flight numbers to target the A350-1000. “BX”-prefixed flights with 350-seat seat maps confirm the aircraft type — and the chance of a Sorayama livery.
- Leverage StarLux Premier elite status. The airline’s loyalty program provides priority booking and early award space visibility. Without status, award availability on new long-haul routes is expected to be extremely tight initially.
- Follow the Gold Sorayama delivery. When B-58554 enters service alongside Silver, the pair will increase the odds of flying one of the two liveried jets.
FAQ
When will Starlux’s gold-liveried A350-1000 arrive?
The second special-livery aircraft, “Gold Sorayama” (B-58554), was already painted and spotted in Toulouse in April 2026. It is expected to enter service in Q3 2026, alongside the silver example.
Does the Sorayama livery change the cabin experience?
No. The interior remains identical to Starlux’s standard A350-1000 layout with the four-class cabin. The metallized paint and shark motif are entirely external.
When can I book flights on the new A350-1000 to Europe or Australia?
Bookings for Barcelona, Zurich, Sydney, and Auckland routes are expected to open in late 2026, with service commencing in Q4 2026 or early 2027. No schedules are currently bookable, but the carrier is likely to announce firm dates around August 2026.
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