Far from the grand announcements made by other airlines, Swiss has already been working for several months to improve its offer. The Swiss carrier's fleet is gradually being equipped with Boeing 777-300ERThese replace the A340s used until now on long-haul flights. This renewal of the fleet is part of the " Next Generation Airline of Switzerland" and is targeting Asia, South America and the American West Coast. The latest destination to benefit from this makeover, San FranciscoIn mid-February, the new Swiss flagship landed in Zurich.
The change has not gone unnoticed by corporate customers used to travelling all year round on the Swiss network. The contrast between the old product and the new cabin, particularly in business class, is striking. The aircraft, which boasts a 340-passenger capacityoffers 62 seats in Business Class. The latter features a relatively atypical layout, alternating between two seating configurations: 1-2-2 and 2-2-1. This concept guarantees top-of-the-range comfort, especially for passengers who have opted for one of these two seat configurations. " Privacy seats" . In these Seats isolated on the window side, the space and intimacy are close to the standards offered by certain first classes. The airline has recently decided to offer a specific reservation for these seats, with a supplement of between 95 and 185 euros (99 to 199 CHF), depending on the flight. Frequent flyers who are HON Circle and Senator members can nevertheless continue to book these isolated seats free of charge, subject to availability.
The total recline of the seat into a bed - a bedding of more than 2 metres when deployed - is common to the whole of this business class. Like the in-flight entertainment system (IFE), and the gastronomic offer is also moving upmarket. On the plate and throughout the cabin, one leitmotif: the " suissitude" . The emphasis on Swiss culture and the art of living create a setting that is both elegant and warm, just like the leather and wood-panelled seats. The menu makes it impossible to forget this Swiss identity: Grisons meats, Davaz Fläsch Pinot Noir, and Swiss chocolates as a bonus...
A total of ten Boeing 777-300ERs have been ordered by Swiss, all equipped with on-board wi-fi. They are gradually replacing the airline's A340s. However, not all of these Airbus aircraft will disappear from the Swiss fleet: five of them should remain in place, but here again with a modernisation effort. Next year, the airline will install new cabin equipment in all three classes of A340s. These will then total 223 seatsincluding 8 in First Class, 47 in Business Class and 168 in Economy Class. Business Class seats will be the same as those offered on board Boeing 777s, and Wi-Fi will also be available in-flight.
Swiss's "Next Generation Airline of Switzerland" strategy also includes ground services, with a particular focus on business travellers. Three new lounges - First Class, Senator and Business Class - were recently inaugurated in Terminal E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. Zurich. These new areas, which occupy a total surface area of 3,300 m², place particular emphasis on gastronomy. Front-cooking areas have been integrated, where chefs prepare their dishes in front of passengers. The Swiss First lounge even has an à la carte 5-star restaurant, where fondues and raclettes can be enjoyed during the winter. Swissness doesn't necessarily mean altitude...
