If you’re flying SWISS first class or are a Miles & More HON Circle member traveling through Zurich or Geneva, your ride just got an upgrade…
In this post:
SWISS partners with BMW on limousine service
SWISS offers an excellent first class ground experience in Zurich, with both the SWISS First Lounge Terminal A and SWISS First Lounge Terminal E. In select situations, premium passengers get a limousine transfer, and SWISS has just upgraded this fleet.
Specifically, SWISS is now partnering with BMW, and is providing ground transfers for premium passengers in all-electric i7 cars. There are now 10 of these cars stationed at Zurich Airport (ZRH), and one car stationed at Geneva Airport (GVA).
Previously, SWISS had a fleet of Mercedes S-Class sedans, so the company describes this change as supporting the goal of achieving CO2-free ground operations by 2030, while still offering a luxury experience.
Who gets the SWISS limousine service?
Under what circumstances should guests expect to receive a ride with the SWISS limousine service? Let me first emphasize that this limousine service is specifically between various parts of the airport. SWISS doesn’t offer a complimentary chauffeur service to or from the airport, unlike some other airlines.
With that in mind:
- The airline sometimes offers a shuttle service between Terminal A and Terminal E in Zurich, for first class and HON Circle members connecting onto or off of non-Schengen flights; however, note that this is often done in sprinter vans
- The airline offers a limousine service from the SWISS First Lounge Terminal A in Zurich when departing from a remote stand, and SWISS has quite some remote stand operations at the airport
Ultimately I’d say that Lufthansa’s first class limousine service is a bit more comprehensive. That’s because when using the Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt, you can always be driven to the plane, since the “lounge” isn’t otherwise connected to the terminal.
Bottom line
SWISS has upgraded its limousine service fleet for Zurich and Geneva. The company now has a fleet of BMW i7s, which are used to transport select first class and HON Circle members. I’m all for switching to electric cars when it can be done in a practical way, and there’s also a luxury to having a fleet of brand new cars, so kudos to SWISS on this change.
What do you make of SWISS’ updated first class limousine service?
one of the worst airlines for premium class. very snobby, bad customer service ! you have to accept what they give you, you cannot decline because they do not give you a choice!
They’ve stopped this service on departure in Geneva, they only pick you up on arrival. Along with the very, very basic First lounge, GVA is the poor cousin to ZRH.
Pity those of us that have to walk 10 minutes. Go ahead and pay multi thousands for this "privelege"
Intercontinental flights normally depart terminal e. This terminal requires shifting to a subway ride that sounds like it is running past farms. It might be more comfortable to be driven.
“Go ahead and pay multi thousands for this "privelege[sic]"”
Someone is jealous!
In the meantime, with your permission, we will pay multi-thousands for this privilege.
Many of my comments here are taken out of context. I can be very sarcastic. The truth is I don't know much about travel and I tend to talk out of my butt. Sorry.
-TravelinWilly
They have had BMW 7ers for a while now. This is just going electric. Makes sense for the use case actually. From my experience these cars are mostly reserved for going from the lounge to flights without a gate. F pax arriving at E terminal going to A/D will usually get a van. Mind you they have some vans with a F cabin design inside. It’s a neat little detail.
Agreed. I don’t know when they acquired the 7-series but if it was 3-5 years ago, it makes sense given that everyday people that lease cars, heck, buy cars get replacements every 3-5 years.
I had the pleasure riding the i7 two weeks ago. I am a fanboy now.
The seat in the back (called „executive lounge“) was somewhat close to a domestic first class seat. Well, with 31 inches wide the screen in the back is bigger than any first class tv.
Frankly, LX should rather have replaced their aging long-haul fleet (especially the A340, which are gasguzzlers) by more fuel efficient planes a long time ago.
they, like SQ, are victim of the 777X delay.
Not quite sure why they change cars, but when I flew into ZRH from DXB a few days ago. I was picked up at the satellite terminal by an electric V-Class, immigrated downstairs in the 1st class lounge in terminal A and then driven to a connecting flight to a Schengen country in an i7. The i7s are a bit geeky, with little touchscreen even in the doors.
BMW probably provides them gratis as free advertising to a cohort who's able to afford one.
+1
Sorry, but is this not the most hilarious / ironic thing ever? We have an electric car for the transfer now, so there’s no need to feel guilty about the carbon emissions for the 30 second drive across the tarmac to your longhaul first class flight!”
Literal lol at your coverage of this.
@ Tom -- Sorry, where did I say there's no need to feel guilty about carbon emissions, or that this offsets anything from flying?
“Sorry, where did I say there's no need to feel guilty about carbon emissions, or that this offsets anything from flying?”
Ignore Tom. Tom is…um…”challenged.”
Yes, the last resort of those with no actual argument, result to name calling…
Common TravelinWilly L.
Where did I say you said there’s no need to feel guilty about carbon emissions? You’re putting words into my mouth…
This is textbook ‘greenwashing’, the carbon emissions from a first class flight are so massive (and arguably unnecessary when business class exists) that any airline that was in any way serious about climate change would probably just scrap first class, not change a couple of unnecessary cars to electric.
Many don't think rationally about their own actions. All they need is the tiniest nugget that will allow then to avoid the cognitive dissidence that is so obvious to others. In this case it is an battery operated car ride for a journey that can be measured in seconds. Much like the Davos private jet set crowd that eases their conscious extravagance by proclaiming they will save the planet by forcing us peons to eat maggots for our protein needs in the future.
I don't feel guilty about carbon emissions. They're good for the rainforests.
By that logic you should only fly ultra low cost airlines (spirit/Ryan air) that cram as many people as possible to save the planet. Your harming the planet by taking a economy seat with 32 inch pitch rather than a 27 one. Or stay in the luggage hold using a seat belt to attach yourself to your suitcase for maximum benefit (as that frees up regular cabin seat for someone else)
Did your dad get a ride in one??
This question!
@ 380flyer -- Hah, he got the sprinter van from Terminal E to Terminal A, so not this, sadly.
Well most time they pick you up with the van. Even when you are alone. I don’t get that.
Nice - reducing our carbon footprint is important. Glad to see Swiss taking this step.
Haha Vinay- if you were sarcastic, I apologise and please disregard the rest of my comment. If you were serious though, flying first class and feeling good about your carbon impact is ridiculous. First class flights are one of the top ways for an individual to increase emissions. This story should be filed under “moral license “
You are quite correct. This is the reason I hold my farts while flying first class. It’s the responsible thing to do.