In March 2023, SWISS officially unveiled its new first and business class, which the airline is marketing as “SWISS Senses.” I want to take an updated look at these plans, as we now have a better sense of when this will be introduced, on what routes it will be offered, and how long it’ll take for this to be available on a widespread basis. We’re potentially just several months from this product entering service, which is exciting.
In this post:
SWISS’ plans for new long haul premium cabins
SWISS will launch its new first and business class product as of the summer of 2025. Lufthansa Group is harmonizing its premium products across airlines. Lufthansa has named its new seating concept Allegris, and this includes new first class suites and new business class seats. SWISS will be getting exactly the same seats, except with finishes reflecting the carrier’s branding.
Below are some pictures of SWISS’ new first class. As you’d expect, this product features closable sliding doors, a personal wardrobe, a large tray table, seat heating and cooling, a wireless charging station, and a screen display that’s as wide as the suite. Much like on Lufthansa, the center suite can accommodate two people.
Below are some pictures of SWISS’ new business class. Much like on Lufthansa, this is designed to meet a wide range of wishes and needs. Seating options include a double seat for passengers traveling together, and some seats with sliding doors. The business class seats feature heating and cooling, as well as wireless charging stations. All seats will feature direct aisle access.
I’ve reviewed Lufthansa’s Allegris A350 business class, if you’re curious to get an idea of what the hard product is like.
Which planes will get new SWISS Senses cabins?
For context, SWISS’ long haul fleet currently consists of the following planes:
- 12 Boeing 777-300ERs
- 14 Airbus A330-300s
- Five Airbus A340-300s
SWISS has no plans to retire its 777s or A330s, though the current plan is to start retiring A340s within the next year or so. Furthermore, SWISS is expected to take delivery of 10 Airbus A350-900s, which are part of the larger Lufthansa Group order.
So, what’s the plan for the new cabins being installed? They’ll be introduced starting this year:
- They’ll first be installed on A350-900s; these will be delivered between the summer of 2025 and the end of 2027
- They’ll then be installed on Airbus A330-300s; these will start to be reconfigured as of the winter 2025-2026 season, so expect the first reconfigured A330 in late 2025 or early 2026
- Lastly, they’ll be installed on Boeing 777-300ERs; the timeline for that project remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t expect the first 777 to be reconfigured until late 2026, at the earliest
The plan is for all SWISS long haul aircraft to feature the new SWISS Senses cabins by 2028, though I would consider that to be far from a sure bet.
We already have some hints about what the first routes will be to get the new SWISS Senses cabin. Obviously this can still change, but the way we know is based on the routes where SWISS has started restricting first class inventory to just three seats (since that’s how many first class seats there will be on the A330 and A350):
- As of October 26, 2025, the Boston (BOS) route shows only three first class seats for sale on five of the seven weekly flights
- As of November 15, 2025, the Montreal (YUL) route shows only three first class seats for sale per day
Some people may be surprised that these would be the first planes to get the new cabins, since they’re not necessarily SWISS’ most premium routes, and for that matter, SWISS barely seems to sell first class on the Montreal route. There are two factors at play here:
- For the first destination, SWISS wants a route where only a single plane is needed to operate a daily rotation, with time to spare
- If you’re going to reduce the size of the first class cabin so drastically, it’s kind of logical to start on a route where first class demand isn’t high
What will the layouts be for SWISS Senses planes?
What should we expect in terms of the configurations for the planes with the new SWISS Senses cabins? SWISS A350-900s with the new cabins will feature 242 seats, including three first class seats (one double suite), 45 business class seats, 38 premium economy seats, and 156 economy seats.
SWISS A330-300s with the new cabins will feature 225 seats, including three first class seats (one double suite), 43 business class seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 151 economy seats.
A few things stand out to me about these configurations:
- It’s not surprising that the SWISS Senses A350 will be in a more premium layout than the Lufthansa Allegris A350; SWISS A350s will have seven extra business class seats, 14 extra premium economy seats, and 45 fewer economy seats
- I am a bit surprised that SWISS isn’t adding a second row of first class on the A350, given that all SWISS planes currently have eight first class seats; rumor has it that the 777 may maintain two rows of first class, but that hasn’t been officially confirmed
- The A330 has a narrow fuselage, so I feel like these cabins are going to be a pretty tight squeeze on that plane, at least in first and business class; we already know there will be a bit of an issue with this product, as SWISS will have to install a 3,000-pound weight in the rear of the aircraft, to balance the weight of the heavy first class seats
SWISS already has an excellent first class product, and in particular, has a phenomenal ground experience in Zurich. I’m excited to see the airline take this to the next level.
Bottom line
SWISS plans to introduce a new first and business class product. This will be known as SWISS Senses — it’ll be the same as Lufthansa Allegris, except with SWISS branding.
The airline will install these cabins on newly delivered A350s, which will enter service later this year. Then as of late 2025 or early 2026, we can expect A330s to be reconfigured, followed by 777s. The goal is for all SWISS long haul aircraft to feature the new product by 2028, though we’re talking about Lufthansa Group, so we’ll see how that goes…
What do you make of SWISS’ new premium cabin plans?
How can LX don't offer mattress pad on J class and call itself the premium carrier in LH Group.
No seat will make up for feeling like sleeping on a gym bench
The First Flight with only 3F Flight is now LX52 15SEP!
In future years, people will look back and say Allegris killed the LHG FC…
Swiss senses is the same hugely expensive and delayed rubbish forced on them by the cost saving High Command in Munich.
Carsten pls resign!
LH Group is based in Cologne and LH is based in Frankfurt.
I'm excited for this product roll out, even it looks a bit boring. Recently flew to ZRH and back in business on the A330-300 and those cabins and products look like they have been unchanged since the 1970s.
If you look closely at the A350 and A330 layouts they are actually pretty superimposable you can see the A330 F product is narrower by reducing the side console /armrest but not the seat itself, will still affect comfort at shoulder level in bed mode as the armrest seems to lower down in bed mode. Also this product is in the "nose" so you can get away with some things by just sliding the F...
If you look closely at the A350 and A330 layouts they are actually pretty superimposable you can see the A330 F product is narrower by reducing the side console /armrest but not the seat itself, will still affect comfort at shoulder level in bed mode as the armrest seems to lower down in bed mode. Also this product is in the "nose" so you can get away with some things by just sliding the F product back a little.
For business class, as most seats are at an angle to each other it seems the foot cubbies are paying the price of the A330's narrower fuselage, while the actual seating surface looks the same (probably desirable so the product ordered to seat manufacturers is the same for LH and LX).
The front center J double suite product looks identical on both planes as there are no diagonal pieces to sneakily reduce width or generous armrest/console like in F.
It also seems an inch was squeezed out from the aisle.
Take this with a grain of salt. It's difficult to be sure considering the limited picture resolution. We'll see if it feels coffin like.
So if the new 3 seat F cabin is best suited to lower demand markets like Boston and Montreal what's the logic for also putting it on the routes with high demand?
I’m really excited. My first SWISS flight will be ZRH-GVA in early 2026 although maybe it’s not good for the environment.
Later on in the year I’m flying Y on the a330 between jfk and ZRH and hoping to purchase an upgrade. Or LAX-ZRH on the 777. Hmmmm. Worst case I’ll pay more for a bulkhead seat as it will take time to earn status with Miles & More.
That YUL-ZRH route is probably the most reliable source of Aeroplan partner availability for transatlantic business class from either of Air Canada's eastern hubs. Will be interesting to see how/if that evolves with it getting the new product from the jump.
The new 330 cabins will have less economy, J and F seats, since Y+ is added. I would expect J to be a bit harrder to get with points. F upgrades will be MUCH harder to get, probably impossible for everything except east coast routes.
NYC/BOS is very easy to get with points in J as well. I regularly see multiple seats available.
I don't think LH makes more awards available to Aeroplan from Canadian airports.
At last. The current swiss business seat is awful. Most uncomfortable business class in the sky. Rock hard. And zero privacy
@Joe
Despite the old worn out seats the soft product and business class lounge in ZRH look way better than what I’ve had on American and their lounges (specifically Admirals Club excluding Flagship and OW partner lounges ) .
Agreed. Worst seats ever.
This is another sort of interesting F and J upgrade combination.
Obviously without actually seeing the new suites one is only guessing, however, I am probably minded to prefer the J setup with isle access for both occupants. Have only one sided isle access is so French bed inconvenient. Having only one TV monitor in F is equally demoralising.
Looking forward to the new J/F product. Especially J since the 330 product is very long in the tooth. Ironically, 3 F seats probably makes the most sense on the YUL/BOS routes. Maybe my upgrades will still clear even with just 3 seats.
@ Cedric -- Agreed, those A330s desperately need some updates. I'm just skeptical of how this configuration will fit into the narrower fuselage, and if the product will actually feel spacious.
how is LH/LX pitching the double F suite? I cannot imagine two people sitting there comfortably on a long haul flight. It'd be kinda tight.
It would not surprise me if the 777s get a 1-2-1 config in F with the possibility of joining the middle two seats/beds together.
@ LOA -- Yeah, it makes no sense to me either, and I can't believe Lufthansa Group is following through with this concept. It's too tight to actually be appealing for two people traveling together, at least with the current fare structure. If the airline wants people to be happy with the center suite, it needs to be the price of one first class suite, with a smaller premium for the second passenger.
It’s absolute stupidity. Like watching lemmings walk off a cliff
Do you think there will be change tl the soft product? If so, would it likely occur during the roll out of Senses?
@ Alex -- Nothing has been announced, but I do think we'll probably see some updates to the soft product. However, I wouldn't expect them to necessarily be rolled out with the introduction of the first plane, but more likely, a little bit later.
Biggest happening of the year. Will beat AF La Premier Inn by a long shot
New AF La Premiere is being announced this week. Something you’ll never experience