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SWISS Launching Nonstop Flights from Zurich to Washington DC

Max ProsperiContributor

August 4, 2019 • 3 min read

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SWISS International Air Lines announced that the airline will add two new cities to its route network early next year. Beginning in the first quarter of 2020, SWISS will launch nonstop flights from the airline's hub in Zurich (ZRH) to Washington DC (IAD) and Osaka, Japan (KIX).

These new routes will be made possible with the arrival of two new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. SWISS will shift smaller aircraft to its new routes while upgrading the airline's existing service to Miami and Tokyo.

Service to Miami is currently operated with the Airbus A330 while Tokyo is served with the Airbus A340. In a press release, SWISS noted it will be adding year-round 777-300ER service to Miami and Tokyo due to increased demand in both passenger traffic and cargo. "As The Airline of Switzerland, we connect our home country with the world’s key economic, societal and tourist destinations,” SWISS CEO Thomas Klühr stated.

SWISS New Route Details

Zurich (ZRH) to Osaka (KIX)

Service begins March 1, 2020
Operates 5x per week
Aircraft: Airbus A340

Zurich (ZRH) to Washington DC (IAD)

Service begins March 29, 2020
Operates daily
Aircraft: Airbus A330

SWISS Routes Receiving Upgauged Aircraft

Zurich (ZRH) to Tokyo-Narita (NRT)

777-300ER Service begins February 2, 2020
Operates daily

Zurich (ZRH) to Miami (MIA)

777-300ER Service begins in Summer 2020
Operates daily

How To Fly SWISS' New and Upgauged Flights

SWISS is a Star Alliance member, allowing members of partner airline frequent flyer programs to redeem points or miles for the airline's flights. United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, and Lufthansa Miles & More are just a few Star Alliance programs through which SWISS flights can be booked.

SWISS has already loaded the airline's Boeing 777-300ER flights from Zurich to Tokyo. However, the airline's new service and upguaged flights to Miami have yet to be added to the airline's schedule. This means that travelers looking to book SWISS' new nonstop flights to Washington DC or Osaka will have to wait.

If you're hoping to score a seat in first class on SWISS, you'll likely be out of luck. Unless you are a Miles & More Senator or HON Circle elite frequent-flyer, SWISS first class award flights are off-limits. Fortunately, while often hard to find, nonelite frequent flyers can book SWISS business class. Of course, economy class is your best bet when SWISS' new flights are loaded into the airline's schedule.

Related: SWISS First Class Review

Here's how many United MileagePlus miles you'll need to book a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Zurich when flights go on sale:

Business Class: 70,000 miles
Economy Class: 30,000 miles

Bottom Line

SWISS offers a fantastic onboard product not only in first and business class but also in economy. Additionally, Zurich offers a number of connecting flights to destinations throughout Europe. As a Star Alliance member, US-based flyers can book SWISS' new flights to Washington DC and upgauged 777-300ER flights to Miami using United MileagePlus miles. While SWISS' new flights have not been loaded into the airline's schedule just yet, the new routes will likely be available later this year.

For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.

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