Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) presented the key product and service features of its new Premium Economy Class today, and also launched the sales of its new class of travel. The premium Economy Class will supplement SWISS’s existing Economy, Business and First Class cabins.
“We are delighted that, in introducing our new Premium Economy Class, we are meeting our customers’ growing demand for more privacy, more comfort and more individuality,” said SWISS CEO Dieter Vranckx. “And by introducing our new class of travel, we are also further strengthening our premium positioning in the growing leisure travel segment.”
The new Premium Economy Class will gradually be installed aboard SWISS’s 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from the fourth quarter of this year. The entire SWISS Boeing 777-300ER fleet will feature the new Premium Economy Class cabin by the start of the 2022 summer schedules. Therefore, flights to and from North American markets, such as Los Angeles – Zurich, which is resuming on Friday, July 2, will certainly experience this new class. In line with general market pricing, the one-way fare for the new Premium Economy Class will be around 270 to 380 USD higher than its Economy Class equivalent.
Newly developed seat for greater privacy and more inflight comfort
Each SWISS Boeing 777-300ER will be equipped with 24 latest-generation Premium Economy Class seats from seat manufacturer ZIM. The comfortable seat is easy to recline, and is integrated into a fixed backshell to ensure zero intrusion into the personal space of the passenger behind. The new seat is wider than an Economy Class seat, too: between 46 and 48 centimeters, compared to 43.4.
Seat pitch is extended from the 78.7 centimeters [31in] of Economy Class to 99 centimeters, which translates into substantially more legroom. The new Premium Economy Class seat further features a greater recline, and is additionally equipped with a fold-out leg rest.
The seat’s covers have been produced by Lantal of Bern, Switzerland. To add to their on-board comfort, SWISS Premium Economy travelers will receive a complimentary amenity kit that is specifically manufactured using sustainable materials. Customers will also receive their own high-quality noise-reducing headphones that will further enhance the film or music experience offered via the seat’s 15.6-inch inflight entertainment monitor. Personal reading lamps will provide suitable lighting on night-flight services and electronic devices can be charged using the seat’s built-in USB-A socket.
SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Tamur Goudarzi Pour said: “Our new Premium Economy Class is tailor-made for our previous Economy Class customers who are looking to enhance their air travel experience and enjoy the benefits associated with higher travel classes. In international comparison terms, our SWISS Premium Economy Class is very clearly positioned as a top travel product.”
An extensive culinary offer
SWISS’s inflight cuisine has also been specially tailored to the new class of travel. Premium Economy travelers will be offered a refreshing elderberry welcome drink, and will be able to choose from three hot meals all served on china tableware. The selection here will include a dish from the award-winning ‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’ inflight culinary program, together with a vegetarian option supplied by Hiltl, the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant. “Our Premium Economy guests will be able to choose their inflight meal according to their personal wishes and tastes,” CCO Goudarzi Pour explained. “And we’ll also be able to count on our long-standing partnership with Hiltl for our vegetarian offerings, for which we’re seeing an ever-growing demand.”
Twice as much registered baggage and preferred boarding
SWISS Premium Economy customers will enjoy a much-enhanced travel experience on the ground as well. At two bags of up to 50 pounds each, their registered baggage allowance is double that of Economy Class travelers. Customers can take advantage of reduced-rate access to the SWISS Business Lounges at Zurich and Geneva airports and the SWISS Arrival Lounge at Zurich Airport. They will enjoy priority boarding over Economy Class travelers and will be able to download two publications from the extensive eJournals portal onto their digital device, free of charge, ahead of their flight.
Bookable now for travel from April 2022
The new Premium Economy Class will be gradually installed aboard SWISS’s Boeing 777- 300ER aircraft from the fourth quarter of this year. The new class is bookable from today (28 June) for travel beginning April 2022 on the entire Boeing 777-300ER route network. Destinations served by SWISS with this aircraft type include Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Bangkok, Hong Kong, São Paulo and Singapore. Depending on the further development of the present pandemic, the new Premium Economy Class may be established sooner as a standard product on some of these routes. During the introductory phase, upgrade options are offered for a fee, subject to availability.
The new SWISS Premium Economy Class can also be experienced live and full-size in a 3D augmented reality model.
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s largest airline. Operating one of Europe’s youngest and most fuel-efficient aircraft fleets, SWISS provides direct flights from Zurich and Geneva that keep Switzerland connected with Europe and the world. Its Swiss WorldCargo division further offers an extensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value and care-intensive consignments.
As The Airline of Switzerland, SWISS embodies its home country’s traditional values, and is committed to delivering the highest product and service quality. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group, and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline network.
