SWISS officially named its first Airbus A350 Lausanne today. The airline used the occasion to offer a first viewing of the interior of its advanced new long-haul twinjet: the A350 is the first SWISS aircraft to be equipped with the completely newly designed ‘SWISS Senses’ cabin. A further nine factory-new Airbus A350s will join the SWISS fleet between now and 2031. Airbus A350 HB-IFA Lausanne will make its first revenue passenger flight, from Zurich to Palma de Mallorca, on 25 October.

SWISS’s new Airbus A350 HB-IFA delighted thousands of aviation fans when it arrived last week at its new Zurich Airport home. Now SWISS has formally named its new twinjet Lausanne in an official hangar ceremony. Center stage at the event were the new arrival’s ‘godparents’: Swiss tennis star Stan Wawrinka, who was born and raised in Lausanne, and aviation fan Rayan Favre, the winner of a contest from SWISS.

“I’m incredibly proud to be godfather to SWISS’s first Airbus A350, especially as it now bears the name of my hometown,” Stan Wawrinka said. “That means so much to me, and I feel honored to have played my part in this milestone for SWISS. I can hardly wait to fly on ‘my’ A350 and experience it all for myself.”

SWISS’s first Airbus A350 has been given a special livery, too: ‘SWISS Wanderlust’, an homage to Switzerland and its diversity with lively illustrations of iconic places, buildings and cultural motifs. “We’re dedicating this aircraft with its unique livery design to the whole of Switzerland,” explains SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger. “It reflects and embodies all the variety that makes us who we are, as a country and an airline. And we’re very proud that it will now fly our homeland all over the world.”

An annual CHF 1 billion investment

SWISS presently invests some CHF 1 billion every year in its future – in new aircraft, the latest cabins, digital innovations and more sustainable technologies. One key pillar in this investment strategy is its fleet renewal program: between now and 2031 the company will replace its entire Airbus A340 fleet with state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900s, which consume some 25 percent less fuel and thus also generate significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions.

“These investments represent a clear commitment to our future and to our mission as Switzerland’s leading airline,” CEO Fehlinger continues. “With the Airbus A350 and our new cabin interior, we’re investing not just in comfort but also in making air travel as sustainable as possible. Because we want SWISS to be the airline that Switzerland is proud of in 10 or 20 years, too.”

A new travel experience for all the senses

“Our Airbus A350 isn’t a facelift: it’s a new generation of flying,” emphasizes SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Heike Birlenbach. “What we’re unveiling aboard our new long-haul twinjet today is the most comprehensive cabin renewal in the history of our company. More space and more individuality are what today’s travelers expect. And our new SWISS Senses cabin is our response to these wishes. SWISS Senses offers a retreat, a welcome calm and a keen sense of space. In SWISS Business, for instance, our customers can choose from various seat options, depending on whether they’re looking for more privacy, more room or more closeness to their travel companion.”

“We want our passengers in all seating classes to feel what makes SWISS special: quality, attentiveness and warmth,” CCO Birlenbach continues. “Our new cabin is our hardware. But the key ingredient is our service – personal, precise and Swiss. Here, too, we’ve introduced a whole new experience this year. I’m hugely proud of what our teams have achieved over the past few years. And our inflight guests can look forward to an air travel experience that truly appeals to all their senses.”

Burgundy, anthracite and beige are the key colors in the new cabin design, and create a cozy-yet-elegant feelgood ambience. A new-style lighting concept also aligns to the natural daylight cycle to ensure that even after a long flight, travelers will arrive well-rested and less jet-lagged. SWISS will be gradually installing its new SWISS Senses cabin throughout its long-haul fleet.

SWISS First and SWISS Business: even greater privacy

The new SWISS First cabin offers the traveler an entirely new ‘suite concept’ that ensures extensive privacy and individuality. Each First Class suite has its own sliding door, wardrobe, spacious dining table and cushioned fine-wool surfaces with stylish wood features. Two adjacent suites can also be combined into a ‘Grand Suite’ to make a private loft above the clouds that is perfect for couples, for families or for any traveler who puts an extra accent on even more space and exclusivity.

The SWISS Business cabin has been redesigned from the floor up, too. Every one of its 45 seats offers direct aisle access and can be transformed into a lie-flat bed up to 2.2 meters long. SWISS Business customers can choose from classic single seats, extra-space ‘throne’ seats or double-seat business suites.

 

‘;