It’s not often that you hear of an airline actually trying to improve the infight experience for passengers sitting down the back of the plane in Economy Class, but that’s exactly what SWISS International Airlines is doing with a whole range of thoughtful touches that lean heavily into the carrier’s Swiss heritage.
From March 5, the Basel-headquartered airline will officially roll out its ‘SWISS Senses’ concept for passengers traveling in Economy and Premium Economy on long-haul flights with improved meals and tableware, a new welcome aperitif and even a signature fragrance.
SWISS Senses is a major upgrade program for the airline that will eventually see brand new cabin interiors, including new First and Business Class seats, but in its initial iteration, the concept is providing upgrades to the Economy Class experience with so-called ‘soft product’ upgrades.
The improvements will be immediately apparent for customers when the board the plane with upgraded soft pillows and blankets made from recycled materials waiting at their seats, along with complimentary headphones that SWISS promises will provide improved sound quality.
After takeoff, the airline is leaning into Switzerland’s ‘apéro’ culture with a new welcome aperitif, which will be accompanied by a fine Sbrinz cheese appetizer.
Onboard dining is set for a major upgrade, with new menus set to be rolled out and main meals now served in modern black reusable tableware. Passengers will be able to pair their food with a new Swiss red wine and traditional Swiss soft drinks like Rivella – a fruity and herbal drink made from whey.
Throughout the flight, there will be snacks available for passengers and on longer services, cabin crew will begin serving a smaller mid-flight meal. Before landing, the pre-arrival meal is also set for an upgrade and will now be used on a tray or in a reusable bento box.
“These new product and service highlights will tangibly enhance the air travel experience for our Economy Class and our Premium Economy Class guests,” commented Heike Birlenbach, the airline’s chief commercial officer.
“Taken together, they represent one of the biggest service investments in the history of our company. And they bring us a further step forward in providing our customers with a quality air travel experience that is hallmarked by both Swissness and a devotion to detail,” Birlenbach added.
To bring these elements together, SWISS has partnered with local body care brand Soeder to create a signature fragrance, appropriately named Alpine Valley, featuring soap, hand lotion, and facial sprays in the onboard lavatories.
To get the whole SWISS Senses experience, passengers will have to wait until later this year when the airline takes delivery of the first of ten Airbus A350-900 aircraft that will come complete with new seats across the aircraft with a slightly updated design language.
SWISS is expected to start flying the Airbus A350 in the summer, with deliveries expected to last all the way through to 2031.
Although much has been written on SWISS’ new premium cabins, passengers in Economy are also set to enjoy a more comfortable flight with improved legroom, six-way adjustable headrests, a 13.3 inch 4K entertainment screen, and Bluetooth connectivity so you can use your own headphones.
I can only say it is about time to improve the service office so called quality Airline