On one side there’s engineers and designers trying to figure out how to squeeze more passengers on planes – stopping just short of having us sit on top of each other.
And then there’s players like SWISS Air Lines that are right on the other side of the spectrum and focused on offering the best passenger experience.
The airline recently unveiled first images of its nine new Boeing 777-300ERs scheduled to arrive in January next year.
At first they seemed to fit the usual aircraft mold – three classes, new seating, Wi-Fi and an entertainment system.
But then we looked a little closer and found that SWISS’ new aircraft set a new standard in comfort and technology for the airline.
The twinjets seat around 340 passengers – around 46 passengers less than the average 777-300ER.
Taking away those extra seats allowed the airline to introduce comfier cabins.
First Class, which fits eight passengers, has transformable seats that turn into the occupant’s own private suite.
The suite includes a 32-inch screen – the largest in the industry – as well as electrically-adjustable window blinds and their own personal wardrobe.
Business Class seats convert into a lie-flat bed that is over two metres long.
Sixty-two passengers in Business Class will have access to inflight product designed from customer feedback. This includes seating with optimum privacy and freedom of movement while the seat cushion’s firmness can be individually regulated.
All the seats in the SWISS Business cabin can also be quickly and easily converted into a lie-flat bed that is over two metres long.
First and Business Class passengers aren’t the only ones being catered to in the new design, the Economy cabin has received new-seat cushion technology as well as further innovations.
Economy passengers will have access to large personal touchscreens.
For example the 270 passengers in Economy will have access to a large personal touchscreen plus a self-service kiosk where they can pick up a range of drinks and snacks.
SWISS CEO Harry Hohmeister said the airline will set new benchmarks in terms of guests’ overall comfort and travel experience.
The first Boeing 777-300ER will arrive in January next year.
Aircraft will be used on SWISS’ services to Hong Kong, Bangkok and Los Angeles.
