SWISS enhances product and network

SWISS customers will soon be able to enjoy an improved product on the ground and in the air. The acquisition of four additional Airbus A320 aircraft allows SWISS to add new European destinations to its timetable and increase existing services. A major expansion of SWISS facilities at Zurich and Geneva airports provides customers with a relaxing, personalised travel experience.

SWISS will integrate two additional Airbus A320 aircraft into its fleet in the year ahead. A further two new aircraft of the same type will join the fleet in 2011 and 2012. This expansion of the fleet enables SWISS to offer customers in Europe an even more attractive range of services, in the form of new destinations and more flights to points already in the route network.

Significant expansion on the Zurich-Berlin route takes place as early as October 28, when SWISS increases service from three to four flights daily. SWISS customers will then be able to fly non-stop to or from the German metropolis early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Capacity on this route is thus increased by one-third. All flights between Zurich and Berlin will be operated with aircraft from the Airbus A320 family. The additional SWISS flight brings the combined SWISS and Lufthansa product on this route to seven daily connections. In this way, SWISS and Lufthansa are further expanding their position in the key market of Germany.

St. Petersburg, Florence and Sofia as of summer timetable

From March 2008, SWISS will introduce a daily service between Zurich and St. Petersburg, which marks significant expansion of SWISS’s position in the booming Russian market, where St. Petersburg ranks second only to Moscow in importance as a business location. Numerous Swiss companies have opened branch operations in the St. Petersburg area recently. The five flights Lufthansa operates daily from Frankfurt and Munich and this SWISS flight combine to provide SWISS and Lufthansa customers with an exceptionally attractive range of timetable options for St. Petersburg.

As of the 2008 summer timetable SWISS will fly thrice daily non-stop from Zurich to Florence, thereby strengthening its position in Italy. Florence is the home to flourishing service and industrial companies, with business traffic generated accordingly. The city is also one of Italy’s most attractive tourist destinations.

A further benefit to SWISS customers also comes on line as of March 2008 in the form of a daily flight from Zurich to Sofia. Bulgaria is experiencing economic growth that ranks well above average on a European comparison. It has become home to many corporate branches of Swiss companies, and growth in tourist traffic has also been exceptional.

Geneva: new lounge and more destinations

Service from Geneva Airport will expand as of the summer 2008 timetable to include three weekly SWISS flights to Bucharest. In order to meet demand during the winter sport season, SWISS will operate a weekly Geneva – Manchester service from December 16 through to the end of the winter timetable. This route network enlargement underscores SWISS’s commitment to Geneva.

On the ground at Geneva Airport, SWISS will open the doors of a new lounge area for First Class passenger and Miles & More members with Senator status. These new lounge facilities offer visitors greater privacy, individualised service and a relaxing travel experience, following in the wake of the new lounge for Business Class customers that has been available to passengers since May. Here, too, SWISS lives up to its own high standards of quality and solidifies its position as a top-quality airline with a strong premium product.

Zurich: new lounges and check-in facilities

In order to deal with the increase in traffic, particularly those passengers travelling on business, SWISS will also have three lounge areas at its Zurich hub in future: one each for Miles & More Senators, Business Class and First Class passengers. The new lounges will cover a total of more than 3000 square metres, which represents an increase of 900 square metres. First Class passengers will then have at their disposal private showers, meeting rooms and separate work rooms, along with a special waiting area for the limousine service. First Class passengers will have the choice of dining on board or in the lounge before their flight. The check-in facility installed especially for First Class customers will be enlarged and tailored more closely to customer needs.

From December, a new Airport Ticket Office will be available to all SWISS customers departing from Zurich. SWISS will provide dedicated counters for Business Class passengers and Senators. The contemporary design of the new Airport Ticket Office and improved passenger management system enhance customer comfort and make for a calmer ambience. Construction work at Check-in 1 is set to begin shortly.