Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has become a trailblazer in sustainable aviation by retrofitting its entire Boeing 777-300ER long-haul fleet with the pioneering AeroSHARK technology. This innovative surface film, inspired by the microstructure of shark skin, is meticulously applied to both the fuselage and engine nacelles to optimize aerodynamics—minimizing drag and significantly reducing both fuel burn and CO2 output.
As of early 2025, all 12 of SWISS's flagship Boeing 777 aircraft now feature AeroSHARK, positioning SWISS as the world’s first airline to fully implement this eco-efficient solution across its entire 777 fleet.
Since the debut of AeroSHARK on scheduled flights in late 2022, SWISS has methodically upgraded each 777-300ER. The final installation was completed on aircraft HB-JNF, marking the culmination of a comprehensive fleet-wide transformation.
The transparent AeroSHARK film features precision-engineered, microscopic riblets that follow the natural airflow, closely emulating the hydrodynamic texture of shark skin. This enhancement delivers approximately a 1% reduction in aerodynamic drag. In 2024 alone, SWISS reported a savings of over 2,500 metric tons of jet fuel and a reduction of more than 8,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions, even before the technology reached the entire fleet.
Jointly developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF, AeroSHARK is now being evaluated for application on additional widebody types within the SWISS long-haul network, affirming the airline's commitment to decarbonization and innovation.
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