Where to See the New STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA Airbus A350s

STARLUX Airlines has added two of the most spectacular special-livery aircraft currently flying anywhere in the world.

The Taiwanese carrier has teamed up with celebrated Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama to create AIRSORAYAMA, transforming two brand-new Airbus A350-1000s into enormous flying works of art.

One is finished predominantly in silver, while the other wears an extraordinary gold scheme – and both are guaranteed to be high on the wish lists of aircraft photographers and plane spotters.

But where can you see them?

With both aircraft now delivered, and STARLUX publishing details of the routes on which AIRSORAYAMA will appear, here’s our guide to tracking them down.

What Is STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA?

AIRSORAYAMA is a collaboration between STARLUX Airlines and Japanese contemporary artist Hajime Sorayama, who is famous for his hyper-realistic artwork combining the human form with futuristic, highly polished metallic surfaces.

The project was first announced in January 2026 and has been applied to two of STARLUX’s new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft.

They are:

B-58553 – AIRSORAYAMA Silver
Airbus A350-1000, delivered July 2026

B-58554 – AIRSORAYAMA Gold
Airbus A350-1000, delivered August 2026

Rather than simply adding artwork to an otherwise standard STARLUX colour scheme, the project transforms virtually the entire appearance of the aircraft.

AIRSORAYAMA Silver uses a reflective-looking silver finish with gold accents, while its sister aircraft takes the concept even further with a striking gold appearance.

Creating the effect was more complicated than applying conventional aircraft paint. STARLUX worked with Airbus and coatings specialist Mankiewicz on a specialised multi-coating process intended to reproduce the depth and liquid-metal appearance associated with Sorayama’s artwork while still meeting the requirements of an operational airliner.

Special AIRSORAYAMA Silver and AIRSORAYAMA Gold metallic colours were also developed with Pantone for the project.

The collaboration extends inside the aircraft too, with AIRSORAYAMA branding and artwork appearing on items such as boarding passes, amenity kits, menus, cups, napkins and other cabin items. STARLUX has even introduced a specially produced AIRSORAYAMA safety video.

AIRSORAYAMA Silver – B-58553

The first aircraft to appear was B-58553, AIRSORAYAMA Silver.

It was handed over to STARLUX at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse on 3 July 2026 and entered passenger service on 12 July, initially flying from Taipei Taoyuan to Tokyo Narita.

Only a few days later, on 15 July, the aircraft made its first long-haul appearance when it operated STARLUX flight JX026 to Phoenix Sky Harbor.

That made Phoenix the first destination in North America to welcome an AIRSORAYAMA aircraft.

The aircraft has subsequently been appearing on flights to Tokyo, Phoenix and STARLUX’s new European destination, Prague.

AIRSORAYAMA Gold – B-58554

The second aircraft is arguably even more eye-catching.

B-58554, AIRSORAYAMA Gold, arrived at STARLUX’s Taipei base on 16 August following its delivery flight from Toulouse.

It entered commercial service on 20 August, again using the Taipei–Tokyo Narita route for its debut.

This created a particularly memorable sight at Narita when the Gold and Silver AIRSORAYAMA aircraft appeared together.

For its first few weeks in service, Gold is being used more flexibly around the STARLUX network rather than sticking exclusively to one route.

Among its early planned appearances have been Osaka Kansai on 24 August, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi on 26 August and Prague on 1 September.

That means plane spotters have a number of opportunities to catch the aircraft before the AIRSORAYAMA programme settles into its more regular schedule.

Where Will the STARLUX AIRSORAYAMA Aircraft Fly?

The important date for spotters is 1 October 2026.

From this date, STARLUX says scheduled AIRSORAYAMA services will officially operate to three destinations from its Taipei Taoyuan hub:

Tokyo Narita (NRT)

Flights JX800/JX801
Taipei – Tokyo Narita
Scheduled daily

Tokyo is likely to be one of the easiest places to see an AIRSORAYAMA aircraft.

It is also a particularly appropriate destination given Hajime Sorayama’s Japanese background, and both aircraft have already appeared at Narita during their introduction into service.

The daily schedule should make Narita one of the best choices for anyone specifically hoping to photograph one.

Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)

Flights JX025/JX026
Taipei – Phoenix
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

Phoenix is the principal North American destination announced for scheduled AIRSORAYAMA flights.

The Silver aircraft had already made history here in July when B-58553 operated the project’s first long-haul flight to the United States.

For American plane spotters, Phoenix should therefore become the most reliable place to see AIRSORAYAMA once the October schedule begins.

Prague (PRG)

Flights JX101/JX102
Taipei – Prague
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Perhaps most interesting for European enthusiasts is Prague.

STARLUX launched Taipei–Prague on 1 August 2026 as its first route to Europe, and the Czech capital has also been selected as one of the three regular AIRSORAYAMA destinations.

With three scheduled flights each week, Prague should consequently become one of Europe’s most interesting airports for A350 enthusiasts and special-livery hunters.

Other Airports to Watch

Before the regular AIRSORAYAMA programme begins on 1 October, the aircraft are being used more flexibly across STARLUX’s network.

That has already brought appearances at destinations including Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Osaka Kansai, in addition to Tokyo, Phoenix and Prague.

It is therefore worth keeping an eye on flight tracking websites for B-58553 and B-58554, particularly if you are visiting an airport regularly served by STARLUX widebody aircraft.

And, naturally, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) remains the best place of all to look for both aircraft. As STARLUX’s main base, there will be opportunities to see AIRSORAYAMA aircraft arriving, departing or between assignments there.

As always with airline schedules, aircraft substitutions can occur. STARLUX itself warns that operational requirements and maintenance may result in AIRSORAYAMA flights being operated by another aircraft.

STARLUX’s Growing Airbus A350 Fleet

The arrival of the AIRSORAYAMA aircraft is also part of a much bigger development at STARLUX.

Despite being a relatively young airline, STARLUX has quickly developed an impressive modern, all-Airbus fleet.

As of August 2026, the airline has 36 aircraft, comprising:

• 13 Airbus A321neos
• 9 Airbus A330neos
• 10 Airbus A350-900s
• 4 Airbus A350-1000s

The A350 has become particularly important as STARLUX expands beyond its original Asian network.

Its A350-900s have helped establish long-haul routes from Taipei to North America, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Ontario and Phoenix.

Now the larger A350-1000 is taking the airline’s ambitions another step further.

STARLUX became the first Taiwanese airline to operate the A350-1000 when its first example, B-58551, was delivered in January 2026.

The airline has ordered 18 A350-1000s, giving it a sizeable future fleet of the largest member of the A350 family.

More STARLUX A350-1000 Destinations Coming

While Tokyo, Phoenix and Prague are the key places to see the AIRSORAYAMA aircraft, the wider STARLUX A350-1000 network is likely to grow considerably.

The airline is already using the type on a mixture of regional and long-haul services as more aircraft arrive.

With 18 A350-1000s ordered, there will ultimately be far more of the type in STARLUX colours than the four currently flying.

The airline has made no secret of its ambitions to expand further into North America and Europe, while Australia and New Zealand have also been identified as potential areas for future growth.

For spotters, that makes STARLUX an increasingly interesting airline to follow.

And among all those future A350s, B-58553 and B-58554 are likely to remain the stars of the fleet.

With their extraordinary Silver and Gold finishes, the two AIRSORAYAMA A350-1000s are among the most distinctive special-livery airliners introduced in recent years.

For the best chance of seeing them, put Taipei, Tokyo Narita, Phoenix and Prague at the top of your list – and keep an eye on those registrations before heading to the airport.