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| SWISS Business — more privacy and personal space. Photo: PRNewsFoto/Swiss International Air Lines. |
[Avionics Today 07-09-2015] As a part of its “Next-Generation Airline of Switzerland” strategy, SWISS will begin the renewal of its long-haul aircraft fleet in 2016. A total of nine new Boeing 777-300ERs (Extended Range) will be gradually assimilated into the fleet from the beginning of next year. This will result in the creation of 360 new cabin crew jobs in the future, according to the airline.
In SWISS configuration, the Boeing 777-300ER will offer 340 seats: eight in first class, 62 in business class, and 270 in economy. First class seats can be transformed into one’s own private suite, including a 32-inch screen, electrically adjustable window blinds, and personal wardrobes. Business class seats will offer adjustable seat cushions firmness and can be converted into a lie-flat bed that reclines into more than 6 feet in length. Economy passengers will be able to make use of a self-service kiosk offering drinks and snacks in addition to the regular cabin service, and seats will feature a large personal touchscreen. All nine Boeing 777-300ERs will also feature wireless Internet via a broadband connection, enabling passengers to surf or send emails on their laptop, tablet or smartphone device.
“With our new Boeing 777-300ERs we will be setting new benchmarks in terms of our guests’ overall comfort and travel experience,” says SWISS CEO Harry Hohmeister. “And on top of that, with their state-of-the-art engines, our new twinjets will give us substantial savings in fuel consumption and carbon emissions terms.”
The first delivery of six of the new Boeing 777-300ERs will replace six SWISS Airbus 340s that will be returned to the lessor. Between 2017 and 2018, SWISS will receive an additional three Boeing 777-300ERs. These new aircraft will replace three other A340s which will enter the fleet of SWISS’s sister carrier Edelweiss.
From the 2016 summer schedules onwards, the new aircraft will be deployed primarily on services to Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. San Francisco, São Paulo and Tel Aviv will also receive Boeing 777 service several times a week.