Swiss has just announced two new long haul destinations, which come as the airline plans to take delivery of their last two 777-300ERs in early 2020 (they will have a total of 12 of these planes in their fleet). Swiss doesn't actually plan to use the 777 for either route, but rather will swap around…
Continue reading: Swiss Adding Flights To Washington & Osaka In 2020
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"Swiss will use an A340-300 for the route, featuring a total of 223 seats, including eight first class seats, 45 business class seats, and 183 economy seats."
But...
8 + 45 + 183 =/= 223...
Timing of the IAD route is pretty brilliant. The United flight leaves at 6:05pm, which makes connections difficult if you’re trying to fit an almost-full day of work in. By timing the flight at 8:35pm and operating it out of a United hub focused on connecting traffic, they’re going to pick up a lot of traffic from UA elites.
@Ethan G...While I will agree with you about the departure from IAD, the arrival time into IAD is AWFUL for connecting traffic...
UA's outrageously large bank starts departing @ 5pm and is pretty much done by 6pm, leaving anyone connecting sitting around the airport until the next bank @ 10pm
Nice to see Swiss back at IAD. I used to use their flight back in the day to Dulles...way back...in a 747-300, lol. For a long time it was an oddity as it actually went via Boston, which was fun, as you got to experience a 747-300 taking off from BOS to IAD with a small amount of fuel and 25 passengers.
SWISS could not secure a slot in Seoul, so they had to go with Osaka in the Far East.
The SWISS CEO also stated that given the current environment (climate discussions, market environment, regulatory restrictions at Zurich Airport), he‘s not sure if would order the two additional 77Ws again if given the opportunity.
Anyone have an idea as to how soon these flights will be bookable from the time of the announcement. Any recent examples with Swiss?
They will both be bookable from the 7th of August onwards. No clue for awards though.
It is unfortunate to our country for Swiss not to fly to Seoul due to no empty slot in Incheon Airport. I hope Swiss will go back to Seoul in the near future
@Stuart
How long ago did Swiss discontinue their IAD flights? I seem to remember them flying in and out of IAD in 2009 and 2010, but not after that. I'm sure United's decision to add an IAD-GVA flight in 2009 (in addition to their existing IAD-ZRH flight) may have contributed to Swiss's decision to stop IAD service. I wonder what has caused them to change their minds.
@Charlie, I honestly don't remember when they stopped. In the early 90's they flew to Dulles via Boston in a 747-300 which I used a few times. Then in the late 90's and early 2000's I used them quite a bit when they changed to a non-stop schedule on an A330. I am pretty certain that the route was axed long before you mention. I want to say it came during the bankruptcy reorganization but I could be wrong. Last time I remember using or checking them for mileage awards was maybe in 2001.
IAD schedule works well for Dulles originating traffic. 5pm arrival is just after the major arrival bank of 12-4pm, thus resulting in less lines at the IAB. 8:35pm departure is also right after the jam packed European departure bank; it also provides a full day of work prior to flight.