SWISS today unveiled its new Premium Economy Class, which will supplement its existing Economy, Business and First class of travel from the fourth quarter of 2021.
Revealed
These Premium Economy seats will gradually be installed aboard all 12 of SWISS’s long-haul Boeing B777-300ERs. Each SWISS Boeing B777-300ER will be equipped with 24 Premium Economy Class seats from seat manufacturer ZIM.
Dieter Vranckx, CEO, SWISS, said:
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. And by introducing our new class of travel, we are also further strengthening our premium positioning in the growing leisure travel segment.
The seat is integrated into a fixed backshell to ensure zero intrusion into the personal space of the passenger behind. The seat’s width is between 46 centimetres (18.11 inches) and 48 centimetres (18.89) inches while Economy Class’ seat width is 43.4 centimetres (17.08 inches). Seat pitch has been extended from the 31 inches of Economy class to 39 inches. The seat is also equipped with a fold-out leg rest. The seat’s covers have been produced by Lantal of Bern, Switzerland.
One thing to notice is that there is no divider or section between Premium Economy cabin and Economy cabin.
Passengers travelling on SWISS’ Premium Economy class will be provided with a complimentary amenity kit that is specifically manufactured using sustainable materials in addition to high-quality noise-reducing headphones. All the seats feature 15.6-inch inflight entertainment screen. Personal reading lamps will provide suitable lighting on night-flight services; and electronic devices can be charged using the seat’s in-built USB-A socket.
Tamur Goudarzi, Chief Commercial Officer, SWISS, 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.
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Better culinary offering
SWISS’s inflight cuisine has also been specially tailored to the new class of travel. Premium Economy travellers 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 programme, together with a vegetarian option supplied by Hiltl, the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant.
Goudarzi Pour explains:
Our Premium Economy guests will be able to choose their inflight meal according to their personal wishes and tastes. 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.
More baggage and Priority Boarding
SWISS Premium Economy customers will enjoy a much-enhanced travel experience on the ground, too. At two bags of up to 23 kilos each, their registered baggage allowance is double that of Economy Class travellers. They 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 travellers. And they will be able to download two publications from the extensive eJournals portal onto their digital device free of charge ahead of their flight.
Now Bookable
These new class is bookable from today (28th June 2021) for travel from April 2022 on the entire Boeing B777-300ER route network. These aircrafts will fly to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, São Paulo and Singapore. The airline notes that depending on the further development of the present pandemic, the new Premium Economy Class may also be established sooner as a standard product on some of these routes. The flag carrier of Switzerland also notes that during the introductory phase, upgrade options will be offered for a fee, subject to availability.
Featured image by SWISS
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