SWISS’ remote update is finally flying.
The Star Alliance airline debuted its new “Swiss Senses” onboard product on November 20 between Zurich Airport (ZRH) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). If all goes according to plan, the product will be standard on all SWISS twin-aisle aircraft by the end of the decade.
SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger sat down during the intercontinental debut to discuss what’s next for the airline.
When to go: This is the best time to buy international flights
He said the upgrade of SWISS’ long-haul product, which replaces one that is more than a decade old, remains a priority for the airline. While the maiden flight marks a turning point, the airline still needs to take delivery of its remaining nine A350s (the first few of which will replace four aging Airbus A340s) and refresh its fleet of 14 Airbus A330-300s and 12 Boeing 777s. The process is expected to take another four years.
“This product took us longer than expected,” Fehringer said. “Now, the pieces and the puzzle, they come together.”
This is true for many international airlines. Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and other airlines have launched their own new long-haul premium upgrades over the past two years, with many flights delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The investments recognize continued product strength among airlines and the fact that premium revenue growth has outpaced economic travel growth since the pandemic.
For example, in October, Delta Air Lines President Glen Hauenstein said: “Much, if not all, of our growth will come from premium aviation.”
Swiss is part of the Lufthansa Group, and Swiss Senses is a repackaged version of Lufthansa’s Allegris product to be launched in 2024.
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With Swiss Senses flying, the airline can start turning its attention to other passenger services.
ZRH’s new Schengen Zone (or intra-European) and business class lounges are under construction; they will open in early 2027, Swiss airline lounge chief Roger Geu told Live in Zurich. The spaces will reflect the airline’s updated color palette, featuring wood tones and may even include a small library when it opens.
He said the lounges would “temporarily” replace those that were closed due to the redevelopment of ZRH A Terminal. Geu said he expects the new space to be used temporarily for about ten years until the new hall opens in 2035.
Travelers within Europe will be pleased to hear that SWISS is considering reinstating free snacks and drinks on its short- and medium-haul flights.
“During the crisis we have provided more quality food on board, but that food is paid for,” Ferlinger said. “We will review this next year.”
SWISS will stop offering free snacks and drinks on European flights in 2021 due to sustainability concerns. However, the move comes at a time when costs are rising and revenues are falling for airlines around the world.
The airline is also considering new seats for its fleet of single-aisle Airbus A220 and A320 family aircraft, Fehlinger added. He did not provide a possible timetable.
Another potential change—or return—could be diversity in reading. SWISS has printed a special one-off edition of its in-flight magazine, Swiss Magazine, to introduce the A350. It’s packed with all the features that were once standard on these former seatback essentials: destination recommendations, puzzles, and (to the delight of every AvGeek) route maps.
Asked whether Swiss would resume printing the all-digital magazine in 2022, Fehringer said it was “something we’re considering.”
“We need customer feedback to make decisions,” he continued. “We want to know what our customers think of it, which is why we think now is a really good, unique opportunity to combine it with the A350. If our passengers like it, we will definitely consider continuing it, and if they don’t like it, we won’t.”
Today, print magazines have become symbols of luxury in a digital-first world.
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