American Airlines-STARLUX codeshare: routes and booking guide

American Airlines and STARLUX have launched a codeshare connecting Taipei with 20 U.S. destinations. Tickets went on sale September 23, 2026, for travel from September 30. The useful change is that eligible American and STARLUX flights can now appear on one itinerary instead of being pieced together as separate bookings.

American will initially place its code on STARLUX flights between Taipei (TPE) and Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA). Phoenix (PHX) needs a separate check: STARLUX already flies the route, but American says its code on PHX-TPE is still pending regulatory approval.

*Original OpenSim editorial illustration. The aircraft, traveler and route map are illustrative and do not show either airline or an actual itinerary.*

What the partnership changes

Codesharing does not mean American will operate STARLUX's aircraft. It lets one airline sell a seat on a flight flown by the other, using its own flight number. The booking should still identify the operating carrier.

The American announcement says Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy itineraries on the STARLUX-operated sectors can be sold through aa.com and the American app. STARLUX says its codeshare itineraries can be booked through its website, app and travel agencies.

That can simplify a U.S.-Asia journey, but it does not make the two airlines interchangeable. Check-in, seat selection, onboard service and some fees follow the operating airline's process. Keep both airlines' booking references because a partner site may require its own record locator to manage a flight.

The 20 U.S. connection points

The airlines list 26 domestic codeshare routes reaching 20 cities. Some cities connect through both Los Angeles and Phoenix, which is why the route count is higher than the destination count.

This list describes the launch agreement, not a guarantee that every city pairs neatly with every Taipei flight. Compare the complete itinerary, connection time and operating days. A domestic route can be in the codeshare even when the long-haul PHX-TPE sector is not yet carrying American's code.

Phoenix needs an extra booking check

STARLUX sells Phoenix-Taipei flights, and Phoenix appears as a gateway for American domestic connections. However, American's release separates that existing service from the four trans-Pacific routes in the initial approval. It says American's code on PHX-TPE is pending regulatory approval.

If Phoenix is central to the trip, read the flight details rather than relying on the route map. An itinerary with a STARLUX flight number on PHX-TPE is not the same thing as an American-marketed codeshare flight. That difference matters for the mileage terms announced at launch.

Bags can be tagged through, but U.S. customs still intervenes

STARLUX describes through-checked baggage as a benefit of the single-ticket itinerary, subject to local customs rules. The tag may show the final U.S. city, but travelers arriving from Taipei must still plan for the first U.S. port of entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says international arrivals must clear CBP at the first U.S. port of entry. Its current connecting-baggage guidance says passengers generally collect checked bags, take them through customs and hand them back to the airline for the onward flight. The limited Sydney-Los Angeles remote-baggage trial should not be assumed to cover a Taipei arrival.

Check the bag tag at the departure counter and ask where the bag must be collected. Allow enough time for immigration, baggage, customs, recheck, security and any terminal change. The allowance and fees can depend on the ticket, fare and operating carriers, so use the baggage terms shown on the issued itinerary rather than a standalone domestic allowance.

Seats, check-in and airport service follow the operator

American's codeshare guidance tells travelers to check in with the airline operating the first flight. Its broader partner-airline guide says seat selection, special meals, upgrades and other services may need to be handled on the operating airline's site or app.

For a STARLUX-operated segment, find the STARLUX booking reference in the confirmation or ask the ticketing airline for it. A seat map that will not load does not necessarily mean the flight is unticketed; it may mean the partner reference is missing or the selected fare has different seat rules. Confirm adjacent seats early when traveling together, especially if the itinerary was issued by the other airline.

AAdvantage earning is confirmed, redemptions are not

American says AAdvantage members can earn miles and Loyalty Points when they book an American codeshare flight operated by STARLUX. That wording is specific. It does not promise the same earning on every STARLUX flight number or on a ticket marketed only by STARLUX.

American also says mileage redemption and additional travel benefits are future opportunities. STARLUX describes a broader reciprocal loyalty arrangement as coming soon. Until the airlines publish those rules, do not assume AAdvantage miles can book a STARLUX award, that COSMILE miles can book American, or that status automatically brings lounge access, extra bags, upgrades or seat benefits on the other airline.

The codeshare announcement is not an announcement that STARLUX has joined oneworld. Price the itinerary on its confirmed cash-fare and earning terms, not on hoped-for award access.

Mobile data at both ends of the trip

For a U.S. stop or domestic connection, compare a United States OpenSim eSIM. The live catalog listed 37 U.S. packages on September 26, with AT&T and Verizon shown across the current package set.

OpenSim does not currently list a Taiwan-only destination page. For Taipei and onward travel in Asia, the Asia 12 areas OpenSim eSIM and Asia 20 areas OpenSim eSIM both include Taiwan in every package currently displayed. Check the full destination list before choosing between them because their country mixes differ.

Package allowance, validity, speed, hotspot use and top-up eligibility vary. Not every package can be topped up. Install on reliable Wi-Fi before travel, keep the QR code offline and leave the usual SIM active only if needed for calls or account texts. An eSIM provides mobile data on supported ground networks; it does not include inflight Wi-Fi.

For related preparation, see when to install an eSIM and how to check whether a phone supports eSIM.

Ten questions about the American-STARLUX codeshare

When do the codeshare flights start?

Tickets became available September 23, 2026, for codeshare travel beginning September 30. Search the exact date because a route's ordinary operation and its codeshare availability are not always the same.

Which STARLUX flights will carry American's code first?

American names STARLUX-operated flights between Taipei and Los Angeles, Ontario, San Francisco and Seattle. The booking should show an American flight number and identify STARLUX as the operator.

Is Phoenix-Taipei part of the American codeshare?

Not yet on the terms announced. STARLUX operates PHX-TPE, but American says placing its code on that long-haul route is pending regulatory approval.

Which U.S. cities are included in the connection network?

The initial list has 20: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, El Paso, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, New York JFK, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Tucson and Washington Reagan.

Can I book the whole journey on one ticket?

Yes, eligible codeshare combinations can be issued as one itinerary. Confirm that every flight appears under the same ticket before paying; separately purchased flights do not gain single-ticket handling just because the airlines are partners.

Will my checked bag go to the final U.S. city?

It may be tagged to the final city, but a traveler arriving from Taipei generally must collect it at the first U.S. airport, clear customs and return it to the airline. Confirm the tag and local process at check-in.

Which airline handles check-in and seat selection?

Check in with the airline operating the first flight. For seats or special services on a partner-operated segment, use the operating airline's booking reference and site, or contact the ticketing airline if that reference is missing.

Will I earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points?

American confirms earning when an AAdvantage member books an American codeshare flight operated by STARLUX. Check that the segment has an American flight number and add the AAdvantage number before travel.

Can I redeem AAdvantage miles for STARLUX or use oneworld status benefits?

Neither is confirmed by the launch announcement. The airlines say redemption and additional reciprocal benefits are future work, and STARLUX has not joined oneworld.

What should I do if a connection changes or the partner booking will not open?

Keep the ticket number and both airlines' record locators. Start with the airline that issued the ticket, then use the operating carrier for day-of-travel details. Do not cancel or buy a replacement until the ticketing airline explains the available options.

What to check before paying

Open every flight detail and identify the marketing airline, operating airline and flight number. Confirm that the itinerary is on one ticket, compare the full baggage allowance, retrieve both booking references and test seat access. If Phoenix-Taipei is involved, check whether American's code has received approval rather than assuming the launch list has changed.

The American release controls the initial American-marketed routes and AAdvantage statement. The STARLUX notice controls its booking launch, one-ticket description and loyalty timetable.

*Airline, customs and OpenSim product details were checked on September 26, 2026. Update this guide if the airlines change the route list, approve American's code on PHX-TPE, publish reciprocal loyalty or redemption rules, or revise baggage and partner-service procedures.*