Etihad and STARLUX expand loyalty partnership, opening wider Asia and transcontinental travel options

Etihad Airways and Taiwan based STARLUX Airlines have expanded their strategic partnership with the launch of a frequent flyer arrangement that gives Etihad Guest members greater access to destinations across Asia, North America and Europe.

From Aug 4, Etihad Guest members have been able to redeem their Etihad Guest Miles for Business and Economy class flights across STARLUX Airlines' network. The partnership is expected to become fully reciprocal later this year, allowing members of both airlines' loyalty programmes to earn and redeem miles across the two networks.

For travellers, the arrangement expands the value of Etihad's loyalty programme beyond its own network, particularly for journeys across Asia and onward to North America. STARLUX destinations accessible through the partnership include Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle in the United States, as well as Japanese cities including Okinawa, Kobe and Nagoya.

The partnership builds on a wider commercial relationship between the two airlines. Etihad and STARLUX signed a codeshare agreement in June 2025, followed by the launch of Etihad's direct Abu Dhabi to Taipei service in September last year using the airline's Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

The combination of the codeshare and loyalty arrangements strengthens Abu Dhabi's role as a connecting point between STARLUX's Asia Pacific network and Etihad's destinations across Europe and other international markets.

Taipei, meanwhile, provides Etihad customers with a gateway into STARLUX's expanding network across Asia and towards North America.

The next phase of the partnership is expected later this year, when Etihad Guest members will be able to earn miles when travelling on STARLUX flights. At the same time, COSMILE members will gain the ability to earn and redeem miles across Etihad's network of more than 100 destinations.

Arik De, chief revenue and commercial officer of Etihad Airways, said the arrangement would give members more ways to use their Etihad Guest Miles while extending access to STARLUX's growing international network. Richard Tseng, chief passenger commercial officer of STARLUX Airlines, said the loyalty partnership was a natural progression following the airlines' codeshare agreement and would give COSMILE members greater reach across Etihad's global network.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Etihad Airways, said: "This partnership with COSMILE gives our members more ways to use their Etihad Guest Miles, opening up STARLUX's network across Asia, North America and Europe from this August. As we build towards full reciprocal earning and redemption in October, we're creating a seamless loyalty experience that reflects the strength of our wider partnership with STARLUX, from our codeshare agreement to our direct Abu Dhabi–Taipei service. We look forward to welcoming more COSMILE members into the Etihad Guest experience later this year."

The development comes as both airlines continue to expand their international networks. STARLUX currently operates 33 destinations from Taiwan across markets including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Czech Republic.

STARLUX has also strengthened its long haul network, launching Prague as its first European destination on Aug 1, 2026. Its North American network includes Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Ontario in California and Phoenix, with Taipei serving as the connecting hub for transpacific travel.

Richard Tseng, Chief Passenger Commercial Officer STARLUX Airlines, said: "Our loyalty partnership with Etihad Guest is a natural next step in our relationship with Etihad, following our codeshare agreement last year. Offering our COSMILE members the ability to earn and redeem miles across Etihad's global network will give them far greater reach, and reflects the shared commitment both airlines have to delivering an exceptional experience for our customers."

For travellers in Asia, the expanding relationship creates more opportunities to combine the networks of two airlines while using a single loyalty ecosystem. The reciprocal mileage arrangements expected later this year could further strengthen the appeal for frequent travellers moving between the Middle East, Asia, Europe and North America.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world’s leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Together with Etihad’s codeshare partners, Etihad’s network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. To learn more, visit etihad.com