Swiss advances US launch date for Airbus A350 featuring new ‘Swiss Senses’ cabins

The new first class section will have up to four private suites; business class will include 45 suites with privacy doors; there will be 38 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout; and 156 economy seats in a 3-3-3 layout. The design is based on Lufthansa’s Allegris product but adapted for Swiss’ brand.

The introduction of these features follows industry trends where airlines seek to increase revenue from premium travelers. According to a 2024 report from IATA, tapping into premium segments has become important for airline profitability (https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/airline-industry-economic-performancejune-2024report/).

Swiss expects delivery of its first A350 from Airbus in early October 2025. After initial use on European routes for crew familiarization, it will begin transatlantic service. By the end of 2026, Swiss aims to have four A350s equipped with Swiss Senses operating. Additional destinations such as Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) are planned once more aircraft are available.

The airline also plans to retrofit its fleet of 14 Airbus A330s starting later this year and expects completion within two years. Its Boeing 777s will receive similar upgrades beginning in 2027; however, its Airbus A340s are scheduled for retirement rather than refurbishment.

Regarding loyalty redemptions through Miles & More, Fehlinger noted that award availability in first class would decrease due to fewer seats—four per aircraft compared to eight previously—but he expects business class award access to improve with the upgrade. “There will be shifts in availability due to the number of seats,” he said. The exclusivity of first class is expected to increase as a result.

Swiss does not plan further route expansion in North America next year but intends to consolidate recent growth after adding Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) in Asia during 2024. Cirium data indicates IAD was Swiss' first new U.S. destination since San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in 2010.

“We will look for more growth probably towards the end of the decade — '28, '29 — with the next A350s coming in,” Fehlinger said.

He reported satisfaction with North Atlantic operations over summer despite some softening demand for economy travel and anticipates increased demand around major events like the FIFA World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in 2026.

Data from the U.S. International Trade Administration shows that arrivals from Switzerland were down about seven percent from January through July compared to last year (https://www.trade.gov/national-travel-and-tourism-office). Still, Fehlinger affirmed: “On the North Atlantic, it was our backbone, it is our backbone and it will remain our backbone.”