SWISS Launching Nonstop Flights from Zurich to Washington DC
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.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month