Zurich-based SWISS on Thursday took delivery of its first Airbus A350 aircraft.
The widebody jet, registered as HB-IFA, flew from Airbus’ facility in Toulouse, France, to Zurich Airport, where it landed around 3:30 p.m. local time.
SWISS plans to train its pilots on the aircraft with short flights around Europe. It will enter revenue service with a scheduled flight between Zurich and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on Oct. 25, then start long-haul service between Zurich and Boston on Nov. 20.
SWISS’ A350s are being fitted with a new cabin design concept known as SWISS Senses, which incorporates a dark red-gray-beige color scheme, lighting synced to passengers’ circadian rhythm, and entertainment systems with larger screens.
“This aircraft represents everything we aim to be moving forward: efficient, advanced, and clearly positioned as a premium airline, from Switzerland and for Switzerland,” said SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger in a news release. “With the A350 we’re taking a huge leap forward – technologically, ecologically, and in terms of our passengers’ inflight experience. It’s a very special thing to welcome a brand-new aircraft with a completely new cabin – something that will probably happen only once in anyone’s airline career.”
The A350 delivered on Thursday sports a special livery known as “Wanderlust.” The design incorporates renderings of iconic Swiss landmarks and cultural motifs.
SWISS has ordered a total of 10 A350-900s.
SWISS’ A350 cabins are divided into four classes – SWISS First, SWISS Business, SWISS Premium Economy, and SWISS Economy.
SWISS First seats come with lie-flat capability, sliding privacy doors, a personal wardrobe, a seat table, seat heating and cooling, a wireless charging station, and an extra large screen. The section also has its own restroom.
Some seats in SWISS Business also offer sliding doors.
The SWISS Senses concept will eventually be extended to the airline’s current fleet of A330-300s and Boeing 777-300ERs.
