SWISS Orders 10th Boeing 777; to Refurbish Airbus A340-300 Fleet

Lufthansa Group subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has ordered a tenth Boeing 777-300ER, to be delivered in 2018, the carrier announced Oct. 7. The aircraft will be used to replace some of the carrier's Airbus A340-300s.


The Switzerland flag carrier -- which will transfer four of nine A340-300s to its leisure subsidiary Edelweiss Air by 2018 -- will keep five A340s in the SWISS fleet. The aircraft are to be provided with a new cabin product, including inflight entertainment (IFE) system and internet connectivity.

After the refurbishment, the A340s will have 223 seats - eight in first class, 47 in business and 168 in economy class. The new first class cabin will closely model that of the Boeing 777. Business class seats will be the 777 model, while economy class will be given a new type of seat. The new IFE system will also be modeled after the 777's IFE system.


Following the 777 introduction, SWISS will extend its SWISS Connect internet connectivity facility to its Airbus A330-300 and A340-300 fleet.


Fourteen A330s will be equipped with the requisite Panasonic technology -- eXConnect for the internet and eXPhone for telephone service -- between now and next spring. In 2018, the five A340s will be equipped as part of their cabin refurbishment. 

Kurt Hofmann, ATW Daily News

Photo:Swiss