transpacific · 13h 40m · 10,379 km

San Francisco to Taipei

3 airlines · 3 aircraft ranked

In business class, STARLUX's Business Class (A350-900) leads the field with a 8.2/10.In premium economy, STARLUX's Premium Economy (A350-900) edges out the field with a 5.3/10.

How we score → Last updated June 2026

Quick pick

Best business class:strong pick

Fly STARLUX. It has a private suite and a door for privacy.

If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.

Best premium economy:close call

Fly STARLUX. It has a bigger screen (15.6" vs 12.1").

If fares are comparable, this is the better cabin.

Best economy:close call

Fly China Airlines. It scores higher across seat comfort and amenities.

If prices are similar, go with this one.

Sort by
Tap any two to compare head-to-head
1
Business ClassSTARLUX · Airbus A350-900 · 2022 cabinBest on route
Suite with door · 1-2-1 · 44" pitchReliablePremium farePoints: Alaska Mileage Plan
Free Wi-Fi + Suite with door + Full power outlets
8.2
Excellent
Seat 8.0·Amenity 8.5
2
Premium Business ClassChina Airlines · Boeing 777-300ER · 2014 cabin
Lie-flat · 1-2-1 · 78" pitch · Paid Wi-FiReliablePoints: Chase UR, Amex MR
7.1
Very good
Seat 6.8·Amenity 7.5
3
PolarisUnited · Boeing 777-300ER · 2017 cabin
Lie-flat · 1-2-1 · 78" pitch · Paid Wi-FiReliablePoints: Chase UR, Bilt
6.5
Good
Seat 6.5·Amenity 6.6

Select two airlines to compare head-to-head

Data verified June 2026

Find your flight

New routes and airlines added regularly. One short email when we do.

Airlines on this route

Route insights

  • In business class, STARLUX's Business Class (A350-900) leads the field with a 8.2/10.
  • In premium economy, STARLUX's Premium Economy (A350-900) edges out the field with a 5.3/10.
  • In economy, China Airlines's Economy (777-300ER) edges out the field with a 5.0/10.
  • STARLUX is the only carrier offering first class on this route, scoring 7.9/10.

Frequently asked

Which is better in business: United or STARLUX on SFO-TPE?

Business Class (STARLUX Airlines, A350-900) beats Polaris (United Airlines, 777-300ER) in business, scoring 8.2/10 vs 6.5. The deciding factor: AC + USB-C vs no power.

Which is better in premium economy: United or STARLUX on SFO-TPE?

Premium Economy (STARLUX Airlines, A350-900) edges out Premium Plus (United Airlines, 777-300ER) in premium economy, scoring 5.3/10 vs 4.5. The deciding factor: AC + USB-C vs no power. United Airlines fights back on extras.

Which is better in economy: United or STARLUX on SFO-TPE?

Economy (STARLUX Airlines, A350-900) beats Economy (United Airlines, 777-300ER) in economy, scoring 4.5/10 vs 3.5. The deciding factor: complimentary meals vs buy on board.

Which is better in business: United or China Airlines on SFO-TPE?

Premium Business Class (China Airlines, 777-300ER) edges out Polaris (United Airlines, 777-300ER) in business, scoring 7.1/10 vs 6.5. The deciding factor: AC outlet vs no power.

Which is better in premium economy: United or China Airlines on SFO-TPE?

Premium Economy (China Airlines, 777-300ER) edges out Premium Plus (United Airlines, 777-300ER) in premium economy, scoring 5.2/10 vs 4.5. The deciding factor: AC outlet vs no power.

Which is better in economy: United or China Airlines on SFO-TPE?

Economy (China Airlines, 777-300ER) beats Economy (United Airlines, 777-300ER) in economy, scoring 5/10 vs 3.5. The deciding factor: AC outlet vs USB-A only.

Which is better in business: STARLUX or China Airlines on SFO-TPE?

Business Class (STARLUX Airlines, A350-900) beats Premium Business Class (China Airlines, 777-300ER) in business, scoring 8.2/10 vs 7.1. The deciding factor: a closed suite door vs an open cabin. China Airlines fights back on seat width.

Which is better in premium economy: STARLUX or China Airlines on SFO-TPE?

Premium Economy (STARLUX Airlines, A350-900) and Premium Economy (China Airlines, 777-300ER) score virtually the same in premium economy: 5.3 vs 5.2/10. The biggest gap is power — AC + USB-C vs AC outlet — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.

Which is better in economy: STARLUX or China Airlines on SFO-TPE?

Economy (China Airlines, 777-300ER) edges out Economy (STARLUX Airlines, A350-900) in economy, scoring 5/10 vs 4.5. The deciding factor: extras. STARLUX Airlines fights back on seat width.

What are the best seats in United Polaris on SFO-TPE?

Best: Odd-row window seats for maximum privacy. Avoid: Row 9 center pair can be noisy near galley. UA flagship widebody. 60 Polaris seats — largest Polaris cabin. Same Safran Optima as 787-9/787-10. 16-inch IFE. Panasonic Ku-band wifi (paid).

What are the best seats in United Premium Plus on SFO-TPE?

Best: Window pairs for 2 across. Avoid: Center inner seats in the 4-section. 2-4-2 premium economy. 13.3-inch IFE. Enhanced meals with alcohol.

What are the best seats in United Economy on SFO-TPE?

Best: Economy Plus rows for extra pitch. Avoid: Last rows near lavatories. 3-4-3 economy (wider cabin than 787). Economy Plus available. 9-inch IFE.

What are the best seats in STARLUX First Class on SFO-TPE?

Best: All 4 suites are excellent — floor-to-ceiling walls with 60-inch sliding doors. Window suites 1A and 1K have natural light. Avoid: Only 4 seats total, extremely limited availability. Center pair 1D/1G share a wall but each is fully enclosed. 4 fully enclosed suites with floor-to-ceiling walls and 60-inch sliding doors. 32-inch 4K IFE with Bluetooth audio. Wireless charging pad. Zero-gravity recline mode. Bric's amenity kit. Multi-course fine dining with champagne. Mattress pad, duvet, and pajamas.

What are the best seats in STARLUX Business Class on SFO-TPE?

Best: Window seats in odd rows (1, 3, 5) are closer to the window with more privacy. These are "true window" positions in the staggered layout. Avoid: Even-row window seats are closer to the aisle. Center pairs are fine for couples but less private for solo travelers. 26 staggered 1-2-1 suites with 48-inch privacy doors. 24-inch 4K IFE with Bluetooth. Wireless charging, USB-C (60W), AC outlet. Zero-gravity mode. Bric's amenity kit with Huygens skincare. Multi-course dining with champagne. Mattress pad, duvet, pajamas, slippers.

What are the best seats in STARLUX Premium Economy on SFO-TPE?

Best: Window pairs (A-B, J-K) for couples. Bulkhead row has extra legroom. Avoid: Center block middle seats (D or E) in 4-abreast section. No direct aisle access. 36 Recaro PL3530 recliners with 38-inch pitch. 15.6-inch 4K IFE with Bluetooth. USB-C (60W), USB-A, AC outlet. Free messaging wifi; paid data plans. Amenity kit with lip balm, lotion, socks, eye mask.

What are the best seats in STARLUX Economy on SFO-TPE?

Best: A350 cabin is quieter than 777. Exit rows have extra legroom. 9-abreast is wider per seat than 10-abreast 777. Avoid: Last rows near lavatories. Center seat in any 3-abreast block. 240 economy seats in 9-abreast. 13-inch 4K IFE with Bluetooth. USB-C (60W) power. Free messaging; paid data. Two full meals on long-haul. Eco-blanket made from recycled PET. Pre-order meals available.

What are the best seats in China Airlines Premium Business Class on SFO-TPE?

Best: Same Collins Super Diamond as the A350 — window seats in odd rows for best privacy. Avoid: Row 10 is closest to the mid-cabin galley. 40 Collins Super Diamond seats. Same business class product as the A350-900 but with 8 more seats. 18-inch IFE. Michelin Le Palais collaboration dining.

What are the best seats in China Airlines Premium Economy on SFO-TPE?

Best: Window pairs in the 2-abreast sections. Avoid: Inner seats of the 4-abreast center block. 62 seats in 2-4-2. Slightly denser than the A350 PE (38 vs 39-inch pitch, 19 vs 20-inch width). Same amenity kit and NC headphones.

What are the best seats in China Airlines Economy on SFO-TPE?

Best: Aisle seats in forward economy section. Avoid: Center block (D-E-F-G) seats throughout. Last rows near lavatories. 256 economy seats in 10-abreast 3-4-3. Tighter than the A350 at 17-inch width. Same IFE and meal service.