Review of SWISS Business Class

Premium check-in lines make the airport experience less stressful. As fast-track security is available at most airports, you will be on your way to the lounge in no time. 

Swiss operates most of its long-haul flights from its main Zurich hub with just one New York flight departing from its smaller Geneva centre. Both airports offer impressive lounge facilities that have seen recent renovations and provide separate facilities for business class passengers as well as Senator status cardholders in its Miles & More program. Star Alliance Gold members using other airline frequent flier programs can also access Swiss lounges.

Read more about Zurich Airport or Geneva Airport on swiss.com.

The flagship lounge used for long-haul passengers in Zurich’s terminal E is divided in two areas: the business class lounge and Senator lounge. Senator members in Miles & More and Star Alliance Gold members in any cabin can access the Senator lounge. The lounges feature an impressive buffet and meals prepared from an exhibition kitchen, open bar, freezers filled with Mövenpick ice cream, and private relaxation areas divided by sheer curtains. There are also daybeds and workstations for those that want to stay productive between flights. In the Senator lounge, Whisky Club 28/10 offers two hundred brands of whisky from around the world.

Further Business Class lounges are found in Terminals A and D and offer buffet-style dining, workstations, and plenty of comfortable seating. The Non-Schengen Lounge in Terminal D reopened recently following restoration and offers passengers stunning views of the Alps and the airport’s apron activity. The lounge comprises several zones – a bistro with fresh, healthy cuisine, a work area with enclosed and open workstations, and a comfortable wing for relaxing or freshening up with a shower.

The crown jewel, however, is the panoramic airport view from an al fresco terrace where passengers can watch planes taking off while sipping a cocktail or hot cup of coffee. There are even binoculars available so you can catch every detail. Of course, there is a plentiful supply of Swiss chocolate to sample or take along for the journey.

At Zurich Airport, incoming passengers from Swiss Business Class also have access to an Arrivals Lounge, located in the arrivals hall after customs. The facility provides 20 showers, complimentary pressing service, a quiet area, three day rooms and an extensive buffet for those preferring to enjoy breakfast after arrival.

More information about the wide choice of Swiss lounges at Zurich Airport

Business Class passengers enjoy access to excellent airport lounges before departing from most cities. Many are often affiliated with its Star Alliance partners. Business class passengers always enjoy priority boarding lanes ensuring more time to get settled.

Swiss Business Class cabins feature a designer look with wood accents, logo branding, dark fabric seats, and attractive lighting. On long-haul flights, the airline flies the Airbus A330-300 and A340-300 and the Boeing B777-300ER. The staggered, forward-facing 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 seating is a plus for many passengers, but it is wise to select the right seat for your needs in advance. Solo travellers will prefer one of the single seats for maximum privacy while those travelling together should opt for the pairs of seats. The layout can vary depending on the aircraft type although it is always the same style of seat on all the airline’s widebody Airbus and Boeing fleet. Many planes have smaller “mini cabins” between First Class and the Business Class galley that can seem far more private. These are especially popular with frequent Business Class fliers who have even given them a Swiss name, “the Stübli.”

The airline charges a fee for the prized single “throne” seats (the solo seats with a table on either side and no seat neighbour) although its most loyal elite status fliers can select them for free. In addition, these can be requested on the day of departure by any Business Class passenger without charge. There is at least one solo seat located in each row. Take note that some seats are closer to the aisle while others have a side table that is closer to the aisle due to the configuration of the seats. Seat maps show which seats have a small table closer to the aisle for those that prefer that option making it easy to choose your preferred setup.

Wide side tables and thoughtful design touches are highlights of the seats, which have excellent storage areas on the side. This allows for easy stowage of noise-canceling headsets, water bottles, and other small items. Power and USB ports are within reach for a quick charge.

Business Class seats recline into a fully flat, two-metre-long (6.5 feet-long) bed with various positions for relaxing or lounging should you wish to catch up on the latest movies or work, rather than sleep. The seats also have built-in massage functions, which can provide subtle vibration or more supportive lumbar support at the touch of a button.

Each seat also comes with a plush pillow and wrapped duvet blanket so that passengers can rest during the journey.

SWISS will introduce entirely redesigned premium cabins on long-haul flights beginning in 2025, with the new product promising to offer passengers a more personalised “SWISS Senses” air travel experience. This follows the unveiling of the same Allegris premium-class cabins on sister-company Lufthansa but with Lufthansa styling. The new Business Class seats feature heating and cooling, direct aisle access from every seat and wireless charging.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft. Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight in which you are interested, before making your choice.

The airline is known for honouring all the Swiss cantons (regions) when it comes to cuisine, and foodies will not be disappointed. Meals are presented on trays atop linen-lined tables and only the finest ingredients are used. After consulting the impressive menu selection, which often includes details about a specific area of the country, travellers may even find themselves wanting to spend more time in Switzerland.

Known as the SWISS Taste of Switzerland program, the multi-course menu highlights top Swiss chefs like Christian Kuchler and Franck Reynaud who prepare regional delicacies that change seasonally.

The meal in Swiss Business Class begins with an appetiser and salad, served with warm bread rolls. It is common for there to be delectable cuts of air-dried beef served with tasty melon or fresh greens. The next course includes a choice of three main courses typically including beef, poultry, seafood, or pasta dishes that are pre-heated and placed on the tray. Expect typically Swiss side dishes, too, like potato rösti and knoepfle plus a variety of local cheeses. Meals are served from aisle carts, and each course is accompanied with tasty wines, spirits, or cocktails. Service is swift, by-the-clock, and delivered with efficiency and pride, and the meal is usually finished with fine Swiss chocolate for that final sweet touch.

As of June 2023, travellers in Swiss Business Class Travellers can enjoy the culinary highlights from the canton of Bern, with menu choices designed by Marc Joshua Engel of Michelin-starred and Gault Millau Points winning restaurant Aux Trois Amis restaurant. Passengers in Business class can enjoy a cocked beef terrine with horseradish mousse, followed by a roast beef shoulder and mashed potatoes. Teriyaki udon noodles with fried broccolini is the vegan option. If necessary, passengers can also pre-order special meals such as vegetarian, Kosher, or children’s meals to meet more specific dietary requirements.

Pre-arrival meals on some flights are served from presentation trolleys where passengers can customise the dish they prefer. This could include fresh fruit or muesli served buffet-style from large bowls or salads made to order and presented on a service tray. On daytime flights, the airline also offers the “SWISS Bistro” option after the main service until shortly before landing. This includes hot and cold food and snacks that can be enjoyed at any time as a light bite or main meal.

On night flights, the breakfast option is available as an express delivery for those that prefer more sleep, and this typically includes a continental option rather than hot menu item. At the beginning of the flight, breakfast cards are distributed so that passengers can place their order should they wish and specify when they would like to have their morning meal. While meals are not “dine-on-demand” in business class, the cabin crew is happy to oblige special requests for those not on Swiss-clock schedules.

More information about meals in Swiss Business

Long-haul flights in Swiss Business Class take off with a lovely welcome tray of Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne or a glass of water to set the mood. This celebratory welcome is a symbol of the bespoke experience to come.

Printed menus reveal a wide selection of tipples, including many delicious Swiss wines and beer, spirits, soft drinks, and juices. The wine list often features bottles from the same canton highlighted on the food menu. It is a creative way to learn more about Swiss geography and culture. There are typically two white wines, three red wines, and one Champagne on the menu. Beer drinkers will find a couple of choices, including a speciality option that changes seasonally. Various juices, soft drinks, spirits, and digestifs are also available. Tea drinkers will find a good selection of Sirocco teas, and Nespresso speciality coffees are an excellent way to perk up before or after a meal.

During the flight, Business Class passengers receive a bottle of water in addition to drinks at any time they wish.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on which Champagne is served in Business Class and First Class on many airlines. We do our best to keep track of any changes but feel free to let us know if we missed something.

Formal, yet personalised, the airline’s cabin crew know how to be reserved and conversational at the right moment. Given the multilingual background of Switzerland, crews from Zurich speak German and English among other languages, while those from Geneva speak French and English among others. It is rare to board one of the airline’s flights where you will not find multiple languages spoken by the international staff, and the language of any flight’s destination is always spoken by several crewmembers.

A thoughtful Swiss touch is the coat hanger that greets each long-haul traveller when they arrive at their seat. Instead of the crew asking the passenger if they wish their coat or jacket to be hung up, the passenger decides by putting it on the hangar – which is then secreted until the end of the flight.

The airline’s Boeing 777-300 ER and Airbus A340-300 aircraft provide 40.6 centimetres (16-inch) wide, high-resolution screens facing each seat provide solid entertainment options with a range of more than 90 movies and 170 television programs and music to suit most tastes (including cartoons, computer games and programming ideal for younger fliers). The Airbus A330-300 offers a smaller screen but with the same content. Noise-reducing headsets are available at each seat during boarding. Touch screens are quick and responsive, but remote controls allow easy adjustment of the entertainment while lounging or fully reclined.

Detailed information about inflight entertainment and the current programme is available on swiss.com

Swiss long-haul aircraft feature inflight Wi-Fi service for a fee, which charges users based on the data they use.

Updated pricing and more information about Wi-Fi on Swiss

A new digital ‘SWISS magazine’ can be downloaded and read at any time before departure and provides a wide range of stories and articles, including archives of previous issues, plus the premium-cabin inflight magazine SWISS Universe.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi.

A collectible Victorinox amenity kit features socks, eyeshades, and lip balm among other practical amenities. Lavatories are also stocked with small tubes of beauty products such as face and hand cream from Swiss companies like Soeder. 

Hot towels are offered before the meal service.

Families travelling with infants can request a bassinet, which is available in certain business class seats, on all flights no matter how long. The flight crew often has small presents for young travellers like colouring material, stuffed animals and even Swiss-branded bibs for small children.

More information about flying Swiss with children

Depending on the length of flight, beverages and meals are also available on Swiss’ shorter flights around Europe. The seats in Swiss Business Class on short-haul flights are no different from Economy Class seats, but have the adjacent seat blocked providing a bit more space. While the seats do not convert to flat beds like on long-haul flights, the food and beverage experience is noteworthy with hot meals on many flights. A full bar service is also available including excellent Champagne, which not many European airlines offer on short flights.

Swiss has a keen focus on sustainable operations. Since 2003, it has reduced fuel consumption by 29 per cent through modern fleet renewal and more efficient use of resources. Swiss aims to become carbon-neutral by 2050 and is working on using alternative fuels. SWISS emphasises its ground operations and has used only green energy since 2019, aiming to be entirely carbon-neutral on the ground by 2030. The carrier can further reduce emissions through improved use of airport infrastructure and airspace routes. Customers can also support climate-focused organisations by paying a percentage of their ticket cost to help offset the carbon emissions of their flights.

Detailed information about Swiss corporate responsibility and sustainability is available on swiss.com

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.