SWISS to further expand Geneva-based network

SWISS continues to invest in developing its key Geneva network node: new non-stop services to Rome and Bucharest are to be added in the 2008 summer schedules. SWISS is also increasing its present frequencies on the Geneva-Moscow route.

An Airbus A319 is to be based in Geneva to operate the additional services, which will substantially strengthen the company’s position in Western Switzerland. SWISS also continues to pursue its quality drive on the product, fleet and network fronts. And the attractive innovations planned to both its ground and its inflight product will further enhance the air travel experience for all the company’s customers.

SWISS travellers using Geneva Airport will enjoy daily non-stop service to and from Rome from the 2008 summer schedules. This, together with the new thrice-weekly Geneva-Bucharest service, will raise the number of destinations served directly by SWISS from Geneva from ten to twelve. In a further innovation – and subject to the approval of the relevant authorities – a second daily frequency will be added on the Geneva-Moscow route, in response to strong demand from both business and leisure travellers.

To operate the new services, an additional SWISS Airbus A319 will be stationed in Geneva and deployed solely on routes between the airport and Rome, Moscow, Bucharest and Valencia. This will also provide more capacity to and from Valencia, which is currently served with Avro RJ100 equipment. A seasonal non-stop service will also be operated between Geneva and Palma de Mallorca on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months.

“We are expanding our services for our Geneva-based customers in response to market demand,” says SWISS CEO Christoph Franz. “And, in doing so, we are underlining the importance of Western Switzerland to SWISS and further strengthening our position in this important market. Indeed, we have added four new destinations to our Geneva-based network since 2006.” SWISS also has a new Ambassador for Western Switzerland: Lauriane Gilliéron, the former Miss Switzerland, who will be appearing in local advertising and at public events in the region.

SWISS’s Geneva-based customers will also enjoy two new lounges – one for First Class travellers and VIPs and one for Miles & More Senators – from November 16. The new facilities join the new Business Class Lounge, which was opened in May and whose additional space, enhanced comfort and contemporary design have already proved extremely popular.

SWISS will also soon have three new lounges – for Business Class customers, for Miles & More Senators and for First Class travellers and VIPs – at its Zurich Airport hub. The new lounge facilities here will extend to more than 3 000 square metres, over 900 square metres more than at present. The dedicated First Class and VIP check-in area is also to be expanded and further aligned to customer wishes and needs. And all SWISS customers will benefit from a new Airport Travel Office from December onwards.
More comfort aloft

The aircraft of SWISS’s Airbus A320 family fleet are all now equipped with new and lighter seats. And all the aircraft of the SWISS Avro RJ100 fleet will also have the new seats fitted by February 2008. With their carbon backs, the new seats are thinner and thus offer customers more legroom. They are lighter, too. So they not only provide greater seating comfort; their lower weight also reduces the fuel consumption and thus the carbon dioxide emissions of all the aircraft on which they are installed.

SWISS’s widely-praised inflight service is also being further enhanced. First Class passengers will in future be served Balik salmon as an appetiser, and will enjoy an even wider selection of cheese specialities. The range of magazines available is also being expanded; and new headphones featuring state-of-the-art noise-reduction technology should ensure an even better audio entertainment experience. There’s good news for Business Class customers, too: they will now be able to compose their own breakfast on long-haul flights. So all in all, SWISS continues to pursue its quality drive on the ground product, inflight service, fleet and route network fronts.

For more information and bookings, visit Swiss.com.