Return flight:
August 19, 2024
JX 31 SEA-TPE Lv0210 Arr0510+1 Airbus A350-900 B-58505
Photo link:
https://app.photobucket.com/u/Carfield7 ... E&desc=asc
I arrived earlier on WestJet from Calgary, which was an awful arrival experience. WestJet was using a remote gate and it was just a poor experience in ground, not to mention the never-ending construction state of the baggage claim area. The departure hall was just so crowded this evening, as United cancelled the Dulles redeye with passengers standing in queue waiting to be rebooked. Starlux Airlines thankfully got a nice decent space, and there were separate queues for first, business, elite, self-check-in, and economy passengers. Economy cabin looked fairly full this evening. Asian passengers really like to check in early.
After the station manager gave the check-in team a prep talk, they all stood in line and bowed to passengers before starting check-in early at 9:54pm.
Counters normal opened four hours prior to departure, but honestly, Seattle-Tacoma airport is pretty dead after 11pm. The only food vendors are the Starbucks and one other coffee shops in the main marketplace, which opened 24 hours.
The agent, Mary (*fake name), was obviously new on the job, and a supervisor was looking over her. Both of them were doing a poor job. I was not sure Mary was mentally present half of the time. Most agents, after checking in, would not just handed me back the boarding passes and lounge passes without a word. She should at least tell me which lounge I had access to. It was a new airline and the supervisor did not say a word too. It was a pretty serious shortcoming. I managed to flag down one of the staffs, who spoke a bit of Cantonese, and she told me that sadly the Club at SEA was the only lounge operator at these times of the night. To give Club SEA credits, the lounge was not overly crowded even with all three Taipei bound flights on three different carriers with departure time within a forty minutes time frame. I found a seat easily. The food spread was nothing spectacular but there was a nice salad bar with meatballs, lobster bisque, and light dessert. There was a bar for alcoholic beverage. For Starlux’s first class passengers, you will be sent to this same sad lounge, but at least you got a blocked-off TV lounge all by yourself and three other passengers. Club at SEA basically used the former Delta Sky Club spaces so the décor remained mostly the same. However they could up keep it a bit better. Not sure there was no other operators taking over their former spaces, and I wonder if Starlux ever tries to strike a deal with British Airways to use its lounge spaces, which closed after their own flight depart at 7pm. I did not take any photos because the lounge was busy. It was also nothing special.
The South Satellite terminal basically feels so out of place from the rest of the airport, as most concourses and terminals have gone through major renovations. The terminal space is crowded and nothing has changed much for the past few decades. I was very surprised that the food court was 100% closed and Sea-Tac should at least try to get one or two vendors to stay opened till the late-night Asia flights left. There were three Taipei bound flights departing before 2am tonight, along with a delayed Air Canada and JetBlue flight. Soon Philippine Airlines will start service and there can be potentially up to four widebody planes occupying the space. Peets Coffee should stay opened along with at least one other food outlet. The South satellite was extra busy tonight because of plenty delays in the nation and Seattle airport was affected in the afternoon too. There was a delayed Air Canada flight until 1am, along with JetBlue flight to either Boston or JFK. The South Satellite terminal was very busy. The duty-free shops stayed open till 1am, as passengers had to pick up alcohol at gate before boarding. The Hudson News shop was the only shop that stayed open and I presume that they will not close until the final flight of the night starts to board.
Boarding began at 1:32am and it was okay orderly despite the crowded space. Please note that Seattle used only one jet bridge for boarding. The same purser, Phoebe and business class crews welcomed me back onboard. We had a more relaxing chat after takeoff this time, as things were fairly calm now. The cold-pressed juice was offered again, and I like the cucumber and passionfruit choice this evening.
Chairman Chang was flying the return flight too and it was nice to hear his voice again through the P/A. I did many inaugural flights and it was hard to claim that you were onboard an inaugural flight that was piloted by the Chairman of the company. He welcomed everyone onboard again and our flying time was eleven hours and forty-five minutes this evening.
Door was closed at 2:13am, after the Seattle team (plus North American office staffs) bided goodbye to Chang. We pushed back at 2:17am. There was a little traffic at this time of the night, other than a few very delayed flights. R/W16L/34R was closed for maintenance at these late hours, so we took off from R/W16C at 2:35am.
Our flight route took us over Federal Way before turning west towards Ruston, Shelton, and the Hoquiam waypoint. We climbed to 36,000feet initially before slowly climbing to 38,000, 39,000, and finally 40,000ft. We cross the Pacific Ocean and did not fly past any land till we passed Minamidaito, Okinawa, and then we headed straight towards North of Taipei and then turned South towards Taoyuan Airport.
First Class had two passengers, and then business class was fairly full with only one empty seat. However the crews were more at ease, and the late-night service was something that they did frequently by now.
Here is the supper menu!
Late Night
Exclusive International
Bread Selection
Flaxseed and Quinoa Roll, Red Pepper Onion Ciabatta, Laugen Bread
Served with Isigny Sainte Mere butter, extra virgin olive oil & balsamic vinegar
Starter
Grilled Sous Vide Octopus, Tricolor Potato Salad, Citrus Dressing
Soup
Spinach Cream Soup
Main
Choice of:
Grilled Prime Tenderloin Beef Steak, Mascarpone Potato Puree, Grilled Vegetables, Bercy Sauce
Or
Baked Salmon, Cheese Barley Risotto, Mustard Beurre Blanc
Or
Braised Abalone and Chicken with Oyster Sauce, Egg Fried Rice, Assorted Vegetables
Or
*Cheese Grits, Charred Carrot and Mixed Vegetables, Mushroom Bouillon
Prepared with natural ingredients and containing less eggs and dairy, our plant-based selections are designed to provide healthier, sustainable choices.
Sweet Finish
Choice of
Assorted Ice Cream
Or
Peach Gum and White Fungus Soup
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Basically this supper service skipped the beverage and amuse bouche service, and went straight to starter tray with beverage. Then there was a soup service, followed by main course plated individually in the galley. Dessert and fruit service ended the supper service. The service was efficient, as expected for this time of the day (well night). Supper was completed within 90 minutes after takeoff. The food was actually pretty nice and I loved the octopus starter and always preferred a non-cream dressing. The Spinach cream soup was surprisingly good and way better than the Chestnut soup offered on the ex-Taipei flight. I had the beef main course, which was quite nice. Disclaimer I ate mostly lean meat now and preferred my steak cooked over medium. The dessert was the weakest link and I did not eat ice cream, so the Chinese soup was the only choice. Sadly cheese plate was not offered as a choice during the main meal service. My preferred ending to the meal is a cheese and fruit plate.
I got a turndown service and went straight to sleep. It was a long weekend of traveling.
I woke up midflight, as I was determined to try some of the items on the snack menu.
Here is the snack menu:
Snack Menu
Vietnamese Pho with Beef Brisket, Tendon and Beef Meatball
Mojo Pork Cuban Sandwich, Mesclun Salad
[Los Angeles route exclusive:
Accompanied with Tortilla Chips with Tomato Salsa Guacamole]
Fine Cheese
Bijou
Fromager d’Affinois
Manchego
Fourme d’Ambert
Cave Aged Gruyere
Toasted Nuts and Dried Fruits, Apple Peach Chutney
Please enjoy a light bite snack or instant noodles upon request at any time during your flight.
I decided to try the Cuban pork sandwich, which was delicious. The bread was crusty and the meat was good. I just wish it was warmed a bit longer. Then I finally got my cheese plate. They were all good and I only skipped the blue cheese. However, they really need to offer some crackers. I will pack some of my own next time when I will fly their transpacific flight in October. The mango chutney was good too.
Packaged snacks were offered a few times throughout the flight.
I got a bag of gummy cola and a crunchy granola bar, along with a cup of Oolong tea. 
Lights were turned on about two hours and half prior to landing, and the same breakfast service was offered. I took the international option again and other than the strange tasting potato roestic on the classic Breakfast main course, it was a pretty good breakfast. Catering out of Seattle was impressive and everything tasted well.
Hot towel and a cold-pressed citrus based fruit juice – Just want to remark that the juice of the day was not orange juice. 
Breakfast service:
Begins with fresh cold-pressed in-season fruit juices will get you started right.
Authentic Asian
Taiwanese Congee and Side Dishes Combination
Main
Plain Congee
Hot Side Dishes
Preserved Vegetable Pork Frittata, Poached Chicken with Ginger Scallion Oil, Assorted Vegetables
Cold Side Dishes
Picked Radish, Salted Duck Egg, Pork Floss, Plain and Spicy Tofu Curd
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Exclusive International 
Yogurt
Greek Yogurt
Choice of
Cereal, Mixed Nuts, Dried Fruits, Taiwan Lychee-Honey
Bread Selection
Rosemary and Olive Ciabatta, Apple Danish, Sweet Potato Curry Roll
Served with Isigny Sainte Mere butter, extra virgin olive oil & balsamic vinegar
Starter
Charred Zucchini and Artichoke, Roasted Sweet Pepper and Tomato, Nicoise Dressing
Main
Choice of:
Classic English Breakfast, Banger Sausage and Irish Back Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Potato Roesti
Or
Braised Beef Short Rib Hash, Sourdough Bread Slice, Poached Egg, Chimichurri Sauce
Or
*French Toast, Orange Yogurt, Mixed Berry Compote
Prepared with natural ingredients and containing less eggs and dairy, our plant-based selections are designed to provide healthier, sustainable choices.
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Meal selections can be customized by your preference, please inform our cabin crew prior ordering meal.
2024C J LAX/SFO/SEA-TPE 00
