Economy Class
Intercontinental
- Meat or vegetarian meals with optional Swiss cheeses with second meal service before landing on long haul flights; alcoholic beverages served complimentary; Swiss chocolate offered on landing
- Audio/Video On Demand on A330/A340s; portable electronic devices may be used throughout the entire flight provided the device is switched to ‘airplane’ mode. Wireless and Bluetooth functions must continue to be deactivated.
- Seat pitch of 31 inch on the A330s and 32 inch on the A340s with width of 17.3 inch and seat recline of 6 inch on A330/A340s
- Blankets and pillows provided
- Baggage allowance of 23kg but the number of items of baggage, and in some cases the weight limit, may be higher on some routes
Within Europe (operated by single aisle A319s, A320s and A321s and on shorter regional routes by Avro RJ100s)
- Cold snack provided on shorter flights and hot snack on longer flights; beverages provided on all flights including complimentary beer and wine; Swiss chocolate offered prior to landing
- Drop down screens show movies except on Avro RJs
- Seat pitch of 30 inch with seat recline
- Baggage allowance of 23kg
Business Class
Intercontinental
- Five course restaurant style meals served on day flights with snacks and beverages including Nespresso coffee available throughout; adapted five course meal served on night flights or quick meal option for those wanting to sleep; welcome drink offered
- Audio/Video On Demand, USB port and iPod connector; portable electronic devices may be used throughout the entire flight provided the device is switched to ‘airplane’ mode. Wireless and Bluetooth functions must continue to be deactivated.
- Seat pitch of 45 inch, width of 20.5 inch and convert to fully lie flat bed with customized air cushion system for hard or soft base
- Angled seating for aisle access; in seat power
- Duvet, pillow and amenity kit provided and other toiletries and utilities available on request
- Baggage allowance of 2 x 32kg bags
Within Europe (operated by single aisle A319s, A320s and A321s and on shorter regional routes by Avro RJ100s)
- Full meal and beverages including champagne provided
- Drop down screens show movies except on AVRO RJs; portable electronic devices may be used throughout the entire flight provided the device is switched to “airplane” mode. Wireless and Bluetooth functions must continue to be deactivated.
- Seat pitch of 32 inch with similar seat recline to economy; seating in 3-3 configuration 9 except Avro RJ100’s 2-3 configuration) on single aisle aircraft with the middle seat in each row of three kept free to provide more space
- Blankets and pillows available upon request
- Newspapers offered
- Baggage allowance of 2 x 32kg bags
First Class
Intercontinental
- Available on all long haul flights
- Five course restaurant quality meals with wines and freshly brewed tea and Nespresso coffee served whenever passengers choose; snacks and beverages available throughout the flight; welcome drink and amuse bouche offered
- Audio/Video On Demand
- Seat pitch of 83 inch and width of 22 inch which transform to fully flat beds with customized air cushion system for hard or soft base; ottoman and large table available so passengers can work or dine together
- Privacy panels and in seat power
- Large pillow, duvet, slippers, pajamas and amenity kit provided and other toiletries and utilities available on request
- Baggage allowance of 3 x 32kg bags
- Founded in March 2002 after Switzerland’s original flag carrier Swissair declared bankruptcy
- Origins come from Swissair’s regional carrier Crossair which changed its name to Swiss International Airlines
- Now Switzerland’s flag carrier
- Subsidiary of Germany’s Lufthansa which had completely taken over the airline by 2007
- Subsidiary, Swiss European Air Lines operates many regional routes for Swiss International Air Lines and shares its airline code
- A319
- A320
- A321
- A330-300
- 777-300ER
- Avro RJ100 (flown by Swiss European aircraft)
- Swiss European Air Lines
- Edelweiss Air
Denied boarding
When passengers are denied boarding on a flight, airlines are obliged to first seek volunteers to give up their reservation in exchange for certain benefits. In addition, the air carrier must also offer volunteers the choice between a full refund and re-routing.
You may be entitled to compensation of between €125 and €600 depending on the distance of the flight and the delays experienced before being re-routed. Where volunteers choose re-routing, the airline must also provide assistance if necessary, for example – food, access to a telephone, hotel accommodation of one or more nights if necessary and transportation between the airport and the place of accommodation.
Cancellation
You are also entitled to identical compensation to that offered when you are denied boarding, unless you were informed of the cancellation at least 14 days before the flight, or you were rerouted close to your original times, or if the airline can prove that the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances.
In addition the airline must offer you the choice between:
- reimbursement of your ticket within seven days;
- re-routing to your final destination under similar conditions;
- and if necessary, care (phone call, refreshments, food, accommodation, transportation to the accommodation).
Long delays
You are entitled to care by the airline (phone call, refreshments, meal, accommodation, transportation to the place of accommodation) if the delay is:
- two hours or more for flights of 1,500 km or less;
- three hours or more for longer flights within the European Union or for other flights of between 1,500 and 3,500 km;
- four hours or more for flights of over 3,500 km outside the European Union.
If the delay is more than five hours, and you decide not to continue your journey, you are also entitled to have your ticket reimbursed and be flown back to where you originally started your journey.
If you get to your final destination with a delay of three hours or more, you may be entitled to identical compensation to that offered when your flight gets cancelled, unless the airline can prove that the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. Additionally, airlines can be held liable for damages resulting from delays.
Baggage
If your baggage is lost, damaged or delayed, you may be entitled to compensation limited to about €1,220. However, airlines shall not be liable if they have taken all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures.
For damaged baggage, you must lodge a claim to the airline within seven days of receiving your baggage.
For delayed receipt of baggage, this period is a maximum of 21 days.
People with disabilities and people with reduced mobility
Under EU legislation people with disabilities and/or reduced mobility are protected from being discriminated against during reservation and boarding. They are also entitled to receive assistance at airports (on departure, on arrival and in transit) and on board airplanes. In order to facilitate the provision of assistance, it is recommended to pre-notify your needs.
Lengthy Tarmac Delays at US airports click here
See the airline Conditions of Carriage here
For details of legislative obligations under EU regulation click here
NOTE: Conditions of Carriage refer to the country of origin and may not be applicable to all jurisdictions.
To lodge a complaint with the airline, click here
To lodge a complaint with the EU click here
Click here for more information about our Swiss International Air Lines reviews and safety ratings system.
