SWISS Upgrades First & Business Class Inflight Service (Meals, Amenities, Etc.)

Lufthansa Group carrier SWISS will soon be introducing its new long haul passenger experience, known as SWISS Senses. This includes the introduction of an all-new first and business class, which is an exciting development. This will debut on newly delivered Airbus A350s, though existing planes will also be retrofitted.

There’s some more good news — SWISS is also upgrading its first and business class soft product on long haul flights, with several minor improvements that should add up to a nicer experience.

SWISS details first & business class service updates

SWISS is rolling out a new first and business class passenger experience on long haul flights. This includes new meals and drinks, a new service flow, and new amenities, with a particular focus on Swiss culture. The goal is to make the dining experience more restaurant-like, while also increasing comfort.

Here’s how SWISS Chief Commercial Officer Heike Birlenbach describes these updates:

“After introducing our remodeled SWISS Economy and SWISS Premium Economy service products in March, we are now taking the next consistent step, with the most comprehensive service renewal in the history of our company. Our new SWISS Business and SWISS First services are designed to provide all the ambience of a superior restaurant aloft, with greater choice, more individuality and an even firmer emphasis on Swiss hospitality. Our new premium inflight services make flying with SWISS much more than just transport. Because what we’re offering here is a genuinely memorable air travel experience.”

“From our development of new tableware to our choice of new products and our adoption of new processes and procedures, everything has been carefully devised and comprehensively trialed. Our crews have been intensively prepared, too, to ensure that they are fully familiar and at home with our new service product. So what our guests on board will experience is the result of a truly massive undertaking on which our many teams throughout SWISS, both aloft and on the ground, have worked with all their passion and commitment.”

With that out of the way, let’s go over what’s being updated in the Star Alliance carrier’s most premium cabins.

New SWISS business class inflight experience

Here are the basics of what’s changing with SWISS’ business class experience:

• The after takeoff drink service will be improved, with the traditional nut snack being accompanied by a fresh element, such as olives
• For the meal service, plates will be placed directly on the tray table, rather than being presented on a tray
• Each course will be presented separately, with the addition of a soup course
• An expanded range of cheese and dessert will be offered, along with a new selection of pralines from Aeschbach Chocolatier
• New bedding will be offered, and on overnight flights of over 10 hours, guests will be offered a Muntagnard sleep shirt, and an additional seat cover for even more comfort
• Stylish new amenity kits will be offered in changing designs, co-developed with the Swiss VIU brand, with care items from Swiss-based Soeder
• New high quality headphones will be offered
• There will be a wider selection of beverages and snacks available between meals

New SWISS first class inflight experience

Here are the basics of what’s changing with SWISS’ first class experience:

• The entire food and beverage service will be presented on porcelain, with a modern design and black tableware elements
• After takeoff, the inflight service will commence with an amuse bouche trio, followed by a selection of cold delicatessen items served from the trolley at the passenger’s seat
• There will then be a seasonal sorbet between courses, as a palate cleanser
• The meal will finish with a new cheese course featuring five types of cheese, and an expanded choice of bread
• Afternoon tea will be offered on select daytime flights, with a range of teas, plus sweet and savory treats
• Pajamas and slippers by Zimmerli of Switzerland will be accompanied by a new amenity kit featuring Sisley products

Bottom line

SWISS isn’t just investing in its new first and business class hard product, but the airline is also updating its soft product. While these updates are minor independently, they do add up to a much nicer experience.

I’m impressed by the changes that SWISS is making, since I think the carrier’s soft product has also been in need of some updates. Of course the big question is how well the crews can execute on this service, while still maintaining a good service pace.

For example, I like that in business class, each course will be served separately, and directly on the tray. But can that be done without doubling the amount of time the service takes? I guess we’ll see, and I look forward to experiencing it firsthand!

What do you make of SWISS’ premium cabin service updates?