Switzerland
Fairmont: a refresh for a century-old brand
The observation was similar, their trajectories identical. Brands like Sofitel and Fairmont needed to refresh their networks to engage a new dynamic and reassert the standing of their hotels. Hence a wave of renovations for Sofitel to champion the idea of refined French luxury, embodied notably…
TGV Lyria reinvents its loyalty programme with 4 tiers
Following its new Première Signature in 2025, TGV Lyria has just implemented a loyalty program based on annual spending by business travellers or companies with the Franco-Swiss rail operator, a subsidiary of SNCF. The system is thus based on 4 different tiers according to total expenditure, with...
SNCF Connect is the commercial operator for German and Swiss trains
While SNCF refuses to offer its competitors' services on SNCF Connect (see box), the railway company is opening up to international travel by allowing passengers to book German and Swiss trains on its platform, following agreements with Deutsche Bahn and CFF, the Swiss Federal Railways. This partnership...
Switzerland Destination: a train of innovations for MICE
Cities on a human scale, surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes, bearing the marks of their rich past but looking towards the future, and all easily accessible by TGV from Paris: Switzerland offers everything that appeals to event organisers today. Namely, compact destinations where everything is done on foot or...
CFF: Expected changes in 2027
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) unveiled this week the main new features of the network for the 2027 timetable, which will be implemented next December. There will be several major adjustments to the service, particularly for international connections, night trains and certain regional lines. Switzerland – France: return of the TGV...
Swiss: heading for a new long-haul business destination
Bengaluru – or Bangalore – will be added to Swiss's catalogue from October. The airline plans to operate five flights per week from Zurich to India's Silicon Valley. The departure from Zurich Airport is scheduled daily except for Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:20 PM. The aircraft will travel...
The EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse celebrates its 80 years of cooperation between France...
It is likely a unique status in air transport: that of exemplary cooperation in the management of a bi-national airport by two supervisory authorities, one French and the other Swiss. The Basel-Mulhouse airport has indeed been an official bi-national company since May 1946, which, despite the disagreements that sometimes arise between the Swiss and French authorities,...
A. Boudrand (Minor Hotels): "We have the brands to succeed..."
Minor Hotels already has a strong presence in the Benelux, but is still underrepresented in France or Switzerland. What are the challenges associated with this dual approach? Alexis Boudrand - I have a two-speed remit. As you point out, Minor Hotels inherited a large number of hotels in the Benelux from…
Eurostar is expected to launch a London-Geneva service in 5h20 by 2030
The London-to-Switzerland service project is on track. Eurostar, SNCF, and SBB, the Swiss railways, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect, which foresees a feasibility study for a London-Geneva service by 2030. The three rail operators will thus be able to work on…
TGV Lyria is not exempt from works in 2026
Many upgrades are planned this year on the TGV Lyria lines between France and Switzerland, which will have repercussions on services and journey times for the TGV operated by the partnership between SNCF and CFF, the Swiss Federal Railways. Starting with the Paris-Lausanne connections in…
Minimal flight schedule at Basel-Mulhouse due to runway renovation
Despite the return of spring, the Basel-Mulhouse EuroAirport will be in quasi-hibernation from April 15th to May 20th. The reason? The closure of the airport platform's main runway for a deep renovation, forcing management to drastically reduce the number of flights during these five weeks. Only the runway…
Lyria opens the doors to Regus, Spaces and Signature shared offices
TGV Lyria, the Franco-Swiss railway company, has partnered with International Workplace Group (IWG) to offer a coworking service through a selection of spaces from its brands Regus, Spaces and Signature, located close to the French and Swiss stations it serves. Business travellers will benefit from advantages on the day of their journey with TGV Lyria.…
SNCF and CFF renew their partnership until 2032
SNCF Voyageurs has just renewed its partnership agreement with CFF, the Swiss railways, until 2032, to develop rail links between Switzerland, France and neighbouring European countries. The honeymoon between the two carriers has been going on for 45 years, particularly within TGV Lyria, which has...
TGV Lyria strengthens its on-board service
To further improve the level of service on board its trains between France and Switzerland, TGV Lyria has signed an agreement with the EHL Hospitality Business School, the former École hôtelière de Lausanne founded in 1893, which specialises in service excellence. The aim of this partnership is to improve the travel experience, particularly for...
In 2026, SBB is strengthening Basel's role as a hub...
The timetable change on 14 December 2025 will bring the biggest expansion of services in north-west Switzerland for 20 years, with Basel continuing to strengthen its role as the country's rail gateway. From the main station, SBB will offer a quarter-hourly service between Basel and Liestal, and a quarter-hourly service between...
Bratislava, La Palma, Ohrid and Tangiers on the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse schedule
During the winter season, the EuroAirport is linked by 24 airlines to 88 destinations in 33 countries. The network is mainly focused on the European continent and North Africa. With the notable exception of Dubai and Tel Aviv in the Near and Middle East. The new timetable is valid until 28 March 2026. New routes...
V. Ducrot (CFF): "Being there where people are...
In the first half of 2025, 1.41 million people travelled on SBB trains every day, 4.8% more than in the same period of the previous year. This is an all-time record. Another reason for satisfaction: 94.5% of trains were punctual. That's an increase of 0.7 points on the same period last year...
Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland now visa-free for Vietnam
It's finally a done deal: since 15 August 2025, citizens of twelve additional European countries have been able to enter Vietnam using just their passport. However, the passport must be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry. This is a further opening-up of the country, which is now...
Swiss presents Swiss Senses Business and First seats
Since Tuesday, business travellers have had a clearer idea of what to expect on their future trips on the Swiss network. In Zurich, the Lufthansa Group airline presented the First and Business Class seats that will equip the new "SWISS Senses" cabin concept, announced in spring 2023. The new seats will...
Mama Shelter arrives in Zürich in mid-summer
A lifestyle renaissance. For its debut in Switzerland this summer, Mama Shelter is picking up the thread of the history of one of Zürich's flagship establishments, the former Swissôtel. Originally known as Hôtel International in 1972, it took on the name of this essentially Swiss brand in 1980, when its owner at the time, Swissair, changed its name to Swissôtel.
