SWISS has revealed a new Premium Economy product for their long-haul flights. The new travel class is initially being introduced gradually from 2021, on all Boeing 777-300/ER aircraft.
The carrier first announced plans for a premium economy seat in 2019, they have now confirmed that they will install 24 Premium Economy seats on their fleet of 12 B777-300ERs. It means that the B777-300ERs will adopt a four-class configuration: First, Business, Premium Economy and Standard Economy.
Installation will commence from the fourth quarter of this year, with the entire fleet to be completed by April 2022 – bookings open 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.
Each SWISS Boeing 777-300ER will be equipped with 24 latest-generation Premium Economy Class seats, from seat manufacturer ZIM.
The new seat is wider than an Economy Class seat too, between 46 and 48 cm, compared to the 43.4cm in Economy. Seat pitch has been extended from the 78.7 cm of Economy Class to 99 cm, which translates into substantially more legroom.
The seat’s covers have been produced by Lantal of Bern, Switzerland. To add to their on-board comfort, SWISS Premium Economy travellers will be issued with a complimentary amenity kit; this kit is specifically manufactured using sustainable materials. They will also receive their own high-quality noise-reducing headphones for use with the seat’s 15.6" inflight entertainment monitor.
Premium Economy travellers will be offered a refreshing elderberry welcome drink, there will also be a choice 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."
SWISS Premium Economy customers will be able to check in two bags of up to 23 kilos each. They can also take advantage of reduced-rate access to the SWISS Business Lounges at Zurich and Geneva airports and the SWISS Arrival Lounge at Zurich Airport.
SWISS says the one-way fare will be CHF 250 to 350 higher than the Economy equivalent.