SWISS has now joined the ranks of its fellow Lufthansa Group airlines in offering Premium Economy, which will supplement its existing Economy, Business and First classes of travel from the fourth quarter of this year. Interestingly the airline has opted for a fixed-backshell seat which usually gets a bad rap for passenger comfort although it does save the unfortunate seat recline from the passenger in front.
Premium Economy customers will also be offered a wide range of inflight cuisine, along with double the baggage allowance and priority boarding. The new Premium Economy Class cabin will gradually be installed aboard all 12 of SWISS’s long-haul Boeing 777-300ERs, and is bookable from today.
“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,” says SWISS CEO Dieter Vranckx. “And by introducing our new class of travel, we are also further strengthening our premium positioning in the growing leisure travel segment.”
While the new Premium Economy Class will be gradually installed aboard SWISS’s 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from the fourth quarter of 2021, the roll out will be complete by the start of the 2022 summer schedules. In line with general market pricing, the one-way fare for the new Premium Economy Class will be around CHF 250 to 350 higher than its Economy Class equivalent.
Produced by seat manufacturer ZIM. The cabin of 24 seats recline, into an integrated fixed backshell to ensure zero intrusion into the personal space of the passenger behind. The new seat is wider than an Economy Class seat by approximately 2inches, featuring just an 8-abreast configuration, compared to economy’s cozy 10. And seat pitch has been extended to a fraction over 38″. The new Premium Economy Class seat further features a greater recline, and is additionally equipped with a fold-out leg rest. Interestingly, the visuals show that they haven’t decided to give a private cabin, rather having it as part of the economy cabin.
The seat’s covers are typically SWISS, and have been produced by Lantal of Bern, Switzerland. SWISS Premium Economy travellers will be issued with a complimentary amenity kit that is specifically manufactured using sustainable materials and also receive their own high-quality noise-reducing headphones to enjoy the seat’s 15.6-inch TV. 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.
Unlike some carriers SWISS is also upgrading its dining options for the cabin. 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. “Our Premium Economy guests will be able to choose their inflight meal according to their personal wishes and tastes,” CCO Goudarzi Pour explains. “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.”
The new class is bookable from today (28 June) for travel from April 2022 on the entire Boeing 777-300ER route network. Destinations served by SWISS with this aircraft type include Bangkok, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, São Paulo or Singapore. 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. During the introductory phase, upgrade options are offered for a fee, subject to availability.
TheDesignAir 