Swiss International Air Lines, commonly known as SWISS, is the flag carrier airline of Switzerland. It’s part of Star Alliance and owned by the Lufthansa Group. It has hubs in Zurich Airport and Geneva Airport, and flies to international destinations, both in Europe and globally. The airline is known for its professional service and nice upper-class cabins and is a good choice for both short-haul and long-haul flights.
Classes on SWISS
SWISS has four cabin classes: First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy. Economy takes up the majority of the seats on short-haul flights and offers three fare tiers. On long-haul flights, Premium Economy is a bonus for travellers, as is First, which is the airline’s most elite booking option.
First
SWISS’s more premium fare offering is First, which is available only on intercontinental flights. On Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A340-300 planes, the First Class seats are private suites with lie-flat beds, storage and 81-cm video screens. Airbus A330 planes have more traditional First Class seats that convert into lie-flat beds and can be separated with privacy screens.
First Class travellers can pre-select their meals on SWISS up to 24 hours ahead of a flight. The food tends to be high-end and SWISS often enlists notable chefs and restaurants to create their meals. Vegetarians and vegans are especially looked after on SWISS, with meals created by the beloved Zurich restaurant Hiltl.
A ticket in First includes what SWISS calls First Service Benefits. This means you get access to a separate check-in desk, airline lounges and additional checked luggage (up to three pieces). You also get Zimmerli of Switzerland pyjamas and a chic Zimmerli × SWISS amenity kit, which features brands like Rohner and VIU.
Business
SWISS Business cabin is available both on long-haul flights overseas and short-haul flights within Europe. For short-haul flights, passengers can expect premium service, extra checked bags and lounge access. Although the seats are more traditional, no one will be in the adjacent seat when you book a Business Class ticket.
On long-haul flights, Business seats function as both workspaces and lie-flat beds. They also have a massage feature. The Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A340-300 planes have more spacious Business seats that have extra privacy and added storage compared with the Airbus A330-300 planes.
The food and drink selection in Business tends to be very good. As in First Class, travellers can pre-select their meal online up to 24 hours ahead of a flight and vegetarian and vegan options are also created by Hiltl. On short-haul flights, a meal and drink are typically offered.
Business Class passengers are offered lounge access, additional checked luggage (up to two pieces) and priority check-in and boarding. SWISS provides amenity kits from Victorinox to travellers, although they are not quite as fancy as those given in First. Business is a great option for overnight flights or as a splurge when flying overseas, but it’s less worthwhile on the short-haul journeys.
Premium Economy
Premium Economy is a great choice on long-haul flights and is available on Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A340-300 planes. The seats are notably comfortable, with 99 cm recline and large entertainment screens. They’re designed with a hard shell so that reclining doesn’t disturb the person behind you.
The food in Premium Economy is similar to that in Economy but with more selection and a welcome drink. Wine, beer and liquor are included, and vegetarians can enjoy dishes from Hiltl. The meals tend to be decent in both Premium Economy and Economy, and travellers can pick a main course inspired by the country on flights departing from Switzerland.
Premium Economy passengers get an extra baggage allowance (up to two checked bags) and a toiletries bag with a toothbrush and toothpaste, a sleeping mask and earplugs. There are no additional benefits like priority check-in, which is something to consider when booking.
Economy
Economy is the most basic fare class on SWISS, both for long-haul and short-haul flights. Passengers can book one of three options in Economy: Flex, Classic or Light. Each has separate benefits and restrictions, and it’s important to read the fine print when booking. Flex has the most benefits, including a checked bag and seat selection, while Light only includes carry-on and does not allow you to pick a seat in advance.
Economy seats are typical for a European airline and are relatively comfortable depending on your height. On Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A340-300 planes, each seat has its own 28-cm screen, a drinks holder and a 79-cm seat pitch. On Airbus A330-300 planes, seats have USB chargers but no screens.
Passengers in Economy can select between two meal options on long-haul flights, with drinks, wine and liquor included. Special meals, including those for kids, can be pre-ordered in advance. You can also opt for specific add-on upgrades, including extra baggage and lounge access. I’ve always found Economy very comfortable for short-haul flights, although it can be worth upgrading on longer ones.
Seat selection
Not all fares on SWISS include advanced seat selection, and the airline makes the process overly complicated to understand. Those in First, Business and Premium Economy can pick a seat in advance up to 48 hours ahead of departure. In Economy, your ability to pre-select your favourite depends on your fare.
Flex and Classic fares can book a seat in advance for short-haul flights, but on long-haul flights, Classic passengers will need to pay a fee. Light passengers can pay to pick a seat on European flights. Economy travellers can also pay for Preferred Zone seats, which are located toward the front of the plane and include priority boarding.
SWISS implements additional fees for Extra Legroom seats, which offer even more legroom. The fees vary based on the flight distance and whether the flight is via SWISS or their affiliate airline Edelweiss. The best way to navigate the seat selection process is to use SWISS’s website to view the specific cost of each seat on your flight. If you’re picky about seats, I recommend avoiding the Light fare.
Entertainment and Wi-Fi
SWISS offers more than 200 movies and 250 TV shows on their entertainment system, making it easy to pass the time onboard. In my experience, the selection is really good, with lots of new releases to pick from. The airline also offers two Wi-Fi packages: a four-hour option or a premium option that gives you Wi-Fi for the entire flight. On long-haul flights, all passengers can use the messaging Wi-Fi package for free.
Check-in
The best way to check in for a flight on SWISS is online or using the airline’s app. Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and is really easy to use. Travellers can even print luggage tags at home before heading to the airline, which I did last time I flew SWISS. If you prefer to check in at the airport, SWISS mostly uses self check-in machines, but there are agents to help if needed. Take advantage of the bag drop-off stations, which are especially prevalent in Zurich Airport.
Boarding process
On SWISS, boarding is done by group, with pre-boarding available for families with kids under five and those with restricted mobility. There are five groups for European flights and six for long-haul flights. Those travelling on the same booking will always be placed into the same boarding group.
Unlike many airlines, SWISS boards are based on your seat position in a particular row, with Economy aisle seats boarding last. I found this stressful when trying to carry on a bag, so be prepared to gate-check your luggage if there’s not enough space.
Loyalty program and miles
SWISS’s frequent flyer program is called Miles & More. Travellers can earn miles by flying or using one of the branded credit cards, and there are three status tiers available. These include Frequent Travellers, Senators and HON Circle, each of which has specific benefits, including lounge access and priority check-in.
SWISS is part of Star Alliance alongside Air Canada, United Airlines, Lufthansa and more. Those with Gold status on Star Alliance can take advantage of benefits on SWISS, which is worth looking into if you fly a partner airline frequently.
Airline lounges
SWISS has extremely nice lounges, especially in the Zurich and Geneva airports. As the hub for the airline, Zurich Airport has nine SWISS lounges, one of which is an arrivals lounge. There are also three in Geneva. In global airports, SWISS passengers either have access to a SWISS lounge or a partner lounge, including Star Alliance lounges.
Access to SWISS’s lounges is typically for those flying First and Business, as well as passengers with status on SWISS. Premium Economy and Economy travellers can pay to upgrade their ticket with lounge access, which is a great option when flying overseas or if you have a long layover.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
