Swiss unveils full details of brand-new premium economy product
Swiss has revealed the full details of its highly anticipated premium economy product.
In addition to the airline's existing economy, business and first-class cabins found on Swiss' flagship Boeing 7777-300ER aircraft, all 12 of these 777s will now be fitted with 24 premium economy seats from seat manufacturer ZIM. The premium economy product will be available on select route as of 2022.
Arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, the new premium economy product will feature:
- Two 23 kg checked bags;
- Priority boarding;
- Discounted rates for purchased lounge access at Swiss business-class lounges in Zurich (ZHR) and Geneva (GVA);
- 39 inches of legroom, compared with 31 inches in economy;
- Between 18 and 19 inches of seat width, compared with 17 inches in economy;
- Fold-out leg rest;
- A fixed backshell seat design, meaning the seat in front cannot recline into the personal space of the seat behind it;
- 15.6" inflight entertainment screens;
- Personal reading lamps;
- USD charging at every seat;
- High-quality noise-canceling headphones;
- Amenity kits with sustainable materials;
- Non-alcoholic welcome drinks; and
- A choice of three hot entrees on china tableware, including a vegetarian option from Hiltl, the "world's oldest vegetarian restaurant."
"We are delighted that, in introducing our new Premium Economy Class, we are meeting our customers' growing demand for more privacy, more comfort and more individuality," said Swiss CEO Dieter Vranckx. "And by introducing our new class of travel, we are also further strengthening our premium positioning in the growing leisure travel segment."
Swiss is owned by the Lufthansa Group and is the last full-service airline in the group to receive premium economy — Lufthansa, Austrian and Brussels Airlines have all operated this class of service for several years.
From the photos supplied by Swiss, it appears the airline has taken an unusual choice to install the seats in the economy cabin. Most other airlines that operate premium economy have fitted their seats as a separate cabin for a different, more premium experience.
Related: The top 5 premium-economy cabins in the sky today
Also, some airlines like Air France, Cathay Pacific and China Southern that have previously chosen fixed backshell seat designs in premium economy have been met with complaints from passengers as a result of the awkward recline, where the seats slide down towards the seat in front of it, rather than reclining into the unused area behind.
Related:
- Not-So-Premium Economy: China Southern Airlines (777-300ER) From New York to Guangzhou, China
- Nothing premium here: Review of Air France premium economy on the A380
The seats will be retrofitted in each Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from late 2021, and is bookable now for travel from 28 June to destinations including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Miami (MIA), Hong Kong (HKG) and more from the airline's dual hubs in Zurich and Geneva. Swiss says premium economy pricing will be around CHF 250 - 350 ($270-$380) more than economy, each way
Due to the continued COVID-19 disruption and challenges to the global travel industry, these routes and dates are subject to change.
Where economy passengers are booked on an aircraft fitted with premium economy seating before the official June 2022 launch date, they may choose to select a premium economy seat for a small fee, though will receive economy service.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees