What is known about STARLUX pilot pay?

The STARLUX careers page for experienced pilots lists requirements and application documents but no salary figures. In May 2024 CNA reported that an air safety investigator and former pilot had moved to STARLUX for pay said to be about three times higher, as airlines short of pilots were offering generous terms. For context, the Ministry of Labor occupational wage survey released in May 2026 found that airline pilots were the highest-paid occupation in Taiwan last year, with a monthly salary of NT$298,000; this is a national figure for the occupation, not STARLUX pay.134

What bonuses and pay rises has STARLUX given?

In December 2023 STARLUX announced for all staff a year-end bonus of one month, a pay rise of NT$2000 and a new transport allowance of NT$1000. The Taipei Times also reported the one-month bonus. For 2025, the airline again paid one month and raised pay by about 3% overall, citing a volatile market and preparations for 14 new aircraft in 2026. Chairman Chang Kuo-wei said in January 2026 that he knew staff were unhappy with the bonus and asked for understanding, pointing to the cost of training cabin crew and pilots for the new aircraft.5678

What does STARLUX ask of experienced pilots?

Captains need at least 3,500 hours total time and 700 hours as pilot in command, while first officers need 1,500 hours if they are expatriates or 1,000 hours if they are domestic candidates. Licences from EASA, ICAO, FAA or CAA are accepted, together with a type rating on the A320 family, A330, A340, A350, A380 or another jet type, English proficiency at ICAO Level 4 or higher, plus a Class one medical. Expatriate applicants also send a licence verification letter, a logbook covering the most recent 3 months, a reference letter from a chief pilot and a criminal record certificate.1

How does the STARLUX cadet programme work?

The cadet programme is open to citizens of Taiwan only. Cadets train for about one year in the United States or Australia for the commercial licence, followed by six months of conversion training, with tuition and living costs covered by STARLUX under a training contract. The airline estimates 1.5 to 2 years from cadet to airline pilot. In September 2022 CNA reported that the first cadet class were all flying as first officers, and that the class sent to Australia the previous November had 14 members with an average age of 27.29