In early 2027, SWISS will be opening new lounges at its Zurich Airport (ZRH) hub, which will be available exclusively to premium passengers. What’s unique is that these aren’t just new lounges in the existing terminal, but instead, they’ll be in a dedicated building, separate from the main terminal. We first learned about these plans in early 2025, but the airline has now formally revealed what we can expect.
In this post:
SWISS gets creative with Zurich Airport construction project
Zurich Airport Dock A is undergoing a massive redevelopment project. This part of the terminal has 33 gates (17 connected to jet bridges, and 16 remote gates), and is the largest part of the airport, used for Schengen flights.
This terminal first opened back in 1986, and hasn’t undergone a full makeover since then. The expectation is that this project will only be complete by 2033.
While the long term implications of this are exciting, this is posing major issues for SWISS in the coming years, given that this is the carrier’s primary hub. With some other airport construction projects, you might see a new terminal built, and then an old terminal closed down, but instead, the entire terminal will be updated while remaining in operation.
Because of this work, SWISS will have to close much of its lounge space for an extended period of time. Fortunately the Lufthansa Group carrier has a solution. The airport is constructing a dedicated building for SWISS’ lounges, so almost think of it as a separate terminal space.
This will open in early 2027. While this is sort of a temporary solution, the reality is that this isn’t really that short term, since this project won’t be completed until 2033. Even when the project is complete, SWISS doesn’t plan to immediately shut down these lounges.
As I understand it, the new lounge setup will have easy access to check-in and dedicated security. Initially the expectation was that this space wouldn’t be connected to the main terminal, and as a result, passengers would have to be transported to their flights by car or bus. However, that’s not the case anymore, as they’ve found a way to connect the new building to the Dock B portion of the terminal.
Details of the new SWISS Senator & Business Lounge Zurich
The new SWISS Business Lounge and SWISS Senator Lounge will open in the first quarter of 2027, replacing the SWISS Business Lounge, SWISS Senator Lounge, and SWISS Alpine Lounge, in Dock A.
The two lounges together will cover around 2,600 square meters (28,000 square feet), and each will occupy an entire floor. The Business Lounge will be located on level two, and will be over 1,500 square meters, while the Senator Lounge will be on level three, and will be around 1,100 square meters.
The idea is that these lounges will offer guests around 20% more space compared to the old facilities. The lounges will also boast additional areas for working and relaxing (including 20 fully soundproofed workstations), and panoramic views of the apron and the Alps. There will even be a wine humidor and a dedicated maturation room for cheeses and cured meats.
As mentioned above, the lounges will be connected to the rest of the terminal. However, bus gates will be located immediately below the lounge building, shortening the distance to the boarding gates for some guests.
For those curious, here’s a picture on FlyerTalk with the current status of this building’s construction. When it comes to the SWISS First Lounge, that’s expected to be moved from Dock A to Dock B in 2028, though further details haven’t yet been announced.
Bottom line
SWISS is having to make some major changes to its lounge setup at Zurich Airport. The airport’s Dock A is undergoing a massive redevelopment, which will last all the way through 2033. This will greatly impact SWISS’ Schengen operations, so the airline is coming up with a creative solution.
In early 2027, we’ll see the airline open a new, dedicated building, which will have a SWISS Business Lounge and SWISS Senator Lounge. This should expand overall lounge capacity, and also offer an improved experience. Then in 2028 we can expect the SWISS First Lounge in Dock A to move as well.
I look forward to checking this facility out when it opens!
What do you make of SWISS’ lounge plans in Zurich?
I think they really put in some effort in finding a creative solution for the issue. And I'm happy to see that they are expanding capacity as well, as the current lounges get overcrowded at times. All in all, it could be much worse!
The next step would be to test if and how it works, of course. :)
Honestly this is quite a creative solution for the issue and probably about as good as they possibly could have done.
What about the outdoor terrace? This is the best feature of the current SWISS lounges in concourse E.
@ andywaw -- The Dock E lounge is staying, so nothing is changing there. Unfortunately this new lounge doesn't have a terrace.
Oh, so gone are the days of the Alpine lounge, the only refuge from owercrowded BUS and SEN lounges...
:-(
Will give the new Senator Lounge a try when we fly to HKG next fall.
Ben, can you share a little more info on the new wine humidor. A new one to me.
Hope to experience this, someday. However, the dynamic pricing and apparent partner lockout (since June 2026) has made it more difficult using points. Is it released 85 days in-advance or 2 weeks out for last-minute, now? Used to be relatively easy via Aeroplan, even United. No more.
I’m fine with no more award redemption but cash prices are going up like crazy. I’m just afraid airlines will do the same as hotels… Les pax, higher prices, same revenue with less effort. No way I'm paying 10-16k for a J ticket. I though 6k was crazy.
Oh I will miss the Alpine lounge. One of the best *G lounge access options anywhere in my opinion. Beautiful interior, easy but thoughtful live cooking, good views and most importantly: an oasis of calm.
I always forget about this lounge when in ZRH as it's so out of the way and a bit hidden. Was just there last week and the A Senator Lounge was packed. Fortunately I was able to escape to the E Gates Senator lounge. Will try to remember for next time.
Agree 100%, its nice to have a brand new lounge, but the Alpine is just so cozy.
Is this basically the same concept as Lufthansa's First Class terminal at FRA? But for ZRH?
@ yoloswag420 -- It is in the sense that it's a separate building, but that's where the similarities stop. This will be connected directly to the terminal, so guests can still walk to their gates. That's different than the FCT, where being driven is the only option.
Not bad then. Arguably one of the (only) better things Lufthansa has brought to LH group.
I do think this type of terminal-level enhancement is the next frontier of evolving the premium product experience. Lounges themselves can only go so far with the food, drink, and other amenities.
For other airlines, AA has long had the Flagship entrances, Virgin has their Upper Class Wing, BA has their First Class entrance, etc. Delta has probably executed...
Not bad then. Arguably one of the (only) better things Lufthansa has brought to LH group.
I do think this type of terminal-level enhancement is the next frontier of evolving the premium product experience. Lounges themselves can only go so far with the food, drink, and other amenities.
For other airlines, AA has long had the Flagship entrances, Virgin has their Upper Class Wing, BA has their First Class entrance, etc. Delta has probably executed that the best with their JFK and LAX Delta One check-in from baggage drop to private security to direct lounge access.
This new ZRH terminal seems like it'll match that.
Had a odd incident at the Swiss Lounge last month. They had an older chef whip up omelets. But it was only omelets with chives on it. Right next to him was a plate of diced onions and green peppers. Perfect additions for an omelets. I requested if he could include it. Anywhere else on the planet, the chef would have been glad to do so. But here i was met with the reaction which...
Had a odd incident at the Swiss Lounge last month. They had an older chef whip up omelets. But it was only omelets with chives on it. Right next to him was a plate of diced onions and green peppers. Perfect additions for an omelets. I requested if he could include it. Anywhere else on the planet, the chef would have been glad to do so. But here i was met with the reaction which constituted of a very rude look followed by words to the effect of not going to do it, with no explanation on why.
I know first world problems. Now did i commit a cultural faux-pas. Let me know.
But from a premium customer service standpoint, it was super unexpected and surprising.
@ BBT -- That is... very odd.
Perhaps they were meant for another dish or another patron's omelet and the chef interpreted your request as trying to steal them for your own lol
There was an entire mound of onions and green peppers on a decent sized plate. Most likely it was for live cooking later on for lunch. But it was right there.
How very Swiss! How dare you try and disrupt their strict regiment. We’ve got a troublemaker!!
The FCL stays where it is?
@ TravelinWilly -- Nothing changes with the Dock E FCL. The Dock A FCL will close in 2028 and will then move to Dock B, though details beyond that aren't yet known.
Good for FCL A, never liked that lounge. No view, stairs in the middle of the lounge, super long access corridor...only plus is being able to have direct access from the check in area. Was at Zurich a few weeks ago and the new building looks mostly finished from the outside. Now I just have to make it to the Alpine lounge in 2027 to pay my respects to the old F lounge space. Never even been...always forget about it.
So having heard more from SWISS as a HON based in ZRH, at this point the “expected” set up/policy will be First/HON for all flights (minibus to E lounges or limo to plane if anywhere else), Business/Senator for Schengen flights (all non-schengen flights are not affected by the construction, bus to A gates concourse/B gates concourse if a gate position, bus to aircraft if outside position). No access to connecting passengers or Star Gold in...
So having heard more from SWISS as a HON based in ZRH, at this point the “expected” set up/policy will be First/HON for all flights (minibus to E lounges or limo to plane if anywhere else), Business/Senator for Schengen flights (all non-schengen flights are not affected by the construction, bus to A gates concourse/B gates concourse if a gate position, bus to aircraft if outside position). No access to connecting passengers or Star Gold in Eco (SEN only), temporary lounge / cafe set up in the terminal similar to when renovations happened in 2017-2018.
Swiss Business Class on the 330 is looking like its past its due time to be replaced. Last 2 times I’ve flown then the wear and tear is noticeable, flight attendants are scarce and food pretty much inedible. However their lounges are clean and somewhat spacious.
I disagree that Terminal A might contain the only 1st Class lounge as that terminal only handles Schengen flights.
I flew out of ZRH in August, and I agree, the entire airport is quite good. It's really pleasant, it's literally right on the train line, and is generally laid out quite well. Terminal E was pretty nice I thought. I also agree that the airline itself is quite mediocre.
My only issue with my trip was it took over an hour to clear the exit immigration before going to the terminal with flights that...
I flew out of ZRH in August, and I agree, the entire airport is quite good. It's really pleasant, it's literally right on the train line, and is generally laid out quite well. Terminal E was pretty nice I thought. I also agree that the airline itself is quite mediocre.
My only issue with my trip was it took over an hour to clear the exit immigration before going to the terminal with flights that left the Schengen Area. Which in an of itself isn't great, but people of course were cutting it too close, causing huge numbers of people to start freaking out that they were going to miss their flight. Security was half trying to control the situation, and was screaming at everyone, but wasn't really doing a good job of it so people were cutting in line everywhere, yelling at each other, etc.
Anyway, it was more of an issue of Swiss Border Control not having enough employees, and not controlling the situation that was there. I wasn't really stressed because I had plenty of time, but I was stressed because I thought there was going to be a riot, and the security seemed to be making the situation worse and not better.
If this somehow allows Business Class passengers to process their immigration somewhere else, that's a huge win in my book.
Another day at the LH Group… announcements are made for things which will - or will not - happen in 7 years…. Bringing all connecting passengers to an outside new terminal by bus is not an improvement (winters are cold in ZRH when you land at 6 am and need to walk on the tarmac).
If this means closing the First class lounges at both terminals A and E and replacing them with only...
Another day at the LH Group… announcements are made for things which will - or will not - happen in 7 years…. Bringing all connecting passengers to an outside new terminal by bus is not an improvement (winters are cold in ZRH when you land at 6 am and need to walk on the tarmac).
If this means closing the First class lounges at both terminals A and E and replacing them with only one lounge, let’s hope it will be an improvement. My fear is that these new lounges will be huge and less cosy and personal that the current one.
Obviously, who can tell what will happen 7 years later ?
Bus to the plane. Sounds like Doha.
Just a comment from Europe ! I've always found food on Swiss ( biz class long haul ) disappointing and most of the FAs detached and service robotic. Austrian are superior in every respect apart from their lounges in Vienna ( great staff but dated and limited facilities )
I always forget about the Alpine lounge. But again, I mostly go to the E lounges since 95% of the time I am long haul. Its really two worlds if you ask me, short haul is not the best at Zurich. Idk what securty line John123 is talking about, but I've never seen any lines to speak of. I go through zurich about 10-12 times a year. The passport control lines for temrinal E have been getting longer latetly. Would be faster with an EU passport.
Zurich has a pleasant design but it's not reliable and security lines are super long... Staff is also not very friendly there.
- 43 percent of SWISS flights arrived more than 15 minutes late — the third-worst result of the 20 airlines examined.
- Zurich is in the fourth place in terms of cancellations and delays, affecting 2.37 percent of the air traffic.
The alpine lounge is less crowded and more welcoming than the main facilities in A. I have yet to visit the lounge in E- is that the one with the large whisky bar?
I was surprised the other day to discover that the smallish lounge in D had better food options than the main Senator one in A (the latter didn't offer any cheese at all!).
A big reason to fly LX is Zurich airport. Super efficient to get through. I honnestly only go to the E lounges or the arrival lounge, the A lounges are pretty crappy and over capacity regularly (like all business lounges). The F lounge in A is nothing special, so they could easily improve it by adding the views. Had 4 long haul segments with LX in January (J/F) and everything was perfect. The 330 is...
A big reason to fly LX is Zurich airport. Super efficient to get through. I honnestly only go to the E lounges or the arrival lounge, the A lounges are pretty crappy and over capacity regularly (like all business lounges). The F lounge in A is nothing special, so they could easily improve it by adding the views. Had 4 long haul segments with LX in January (J/F) and everything was perfect. The 330 is dated for sure, but as a package I still preffer to go through Zurich.
I had 20 hours lay over at zurich AP in nov 2024. And it was night time. And it was disaster for me. Staff around were very little helpful with limited english speaking. But it is beautiful place but not far everyone to enjoy.
I fly almost exclusively business class (Senator here) and Swiss lounges in A/B Schengen area are quite a disappointment, even after the renovation. Long-haul I avoid flying Swiss or Lufthansa because the service is not worth the money I am paying (Soft product is rarely on the proper level, hard product we all know how it is...).
The proportion of arrogant Flight Attendants at Swiss and LH is far greater than at any other...
I fly almost exclusively business class (Senator here) and Swiss lounges in A/B Schengen area are quite a disappointment, even after the renovation. Long-haul I avoid flying Swiss or Lufthansa because the service is not worth the money I am paying (Soft product is rarely on the proper level, hard product we all know how it is...).
The proportion of arrogant Flight Attendants at Swiss and LH is far greater than at any other airline I have flown with. Austrian is fortunately an exception to this.
It is nice to read about the new terminal and planned services, but I am not sure what to expect. Or better, I keep my expectations low.
I fly often between the US and ZRH, mostly on LX, and mostly on the Airbus A330-300. The cabins are dated, the quality of the food and its presentation, particularly on the US originating part of the itinerary is not good. The service on board is hit and miss though most often pleasant and efficient, if at times a bit cold. Swiss is supposed to be the premium airline of the LH Group and it...
I fly often between the US and ZRH, mostly on LX, and mostly on the Airbus A330-300. The cabins are dated, the quality of the food and its presentation, particularly on the US originating part of the itinerary is not good. The service on board is hit and miss though most often pleasant and efficient, if at times a bit cold. Swiss is supposed to be the premium airline of the LH Group and it doesn't really live up to that. The Swiss Lounges at ZRH are actually quite good, though some of the staff can be rude, notably in the Arrivals Lounge.
The Allegris product is a complicated mess. I recently flew on one of the very few LH aircraft that feature it. It is going to look dated very quickly and is over-engineered and not very stylish.
Swiss is not a bad airline, but it isn't a great one either. I hope the needed enhancements and expansion of the A concourse isn't too disruptive. While it is needed, ZRH is such a fantastic airport all around, I can't imagine it being complicated by endless construction.
This will be excellent. Way better than what any skyteam carrier would ever be able to do
I flew Swiss in business between Zurich and Paris about a year ago when Delta canceled my flight from Zurich. They re-booked me on Swiss and then Air France from Paris. While I was thoroughly impressed with Swiss's standard for a very short flight, the business-class lounge in Zurich was pretty disappointing.
SKG has this from the A3 lounge. Separate boarding out of the lounge for each flight.