Page Contents<\/p>
- SWISS Welcomes Its First Airbus A350<\/a>
- A visual marvel: The SWISS Wanderlust livery<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- What It\u2019s Like Onboard SWISS\u2019s New Airbus A350<\/a>
- First class<\/a><\/li>
- Business class<\/a><\/li>
- Premium economy class<\/a><\/li>
- Economy class<\/a><\/li>
- Additional amenities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Next Up: SWISS Senses Retrofits Across the Airline\u2019s Long-Haul Fleet<\/a>
- SWISS Senses coming to lounges, too<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Booking SWISS's New A350 Using Miles<\/a><\/li>
- Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
SWISS Welcomes Its First Airbus A350<\/span><\/h2>\n
On October 9, 2025, the first of ten Airbus A350-900 aircraft bound for SWISS touched down at Zurich Airport<\/a>. Its arrival marked the dawn of a new era for the airline.<\/p>\n
![\"SWISS](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n The first of the type, registered HB-IFA<\/a> and named Lausanne<\/em>, is set to become the airline\u2019s new flagship aircraft when it enters revenue service on October 25, 2025, with an inaugural flight to Palma de Mallorca. Its North American debut will follow shortly after on the Zurich to Boston route, which the new jet will operate for the first time on November 20, 2025.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n The arrival of this aircraft has been a long time coming. Back in 2019 — just before the world shut down — the Lufthansa Group (of which SWISS belongs to) revised its A350 aircraft order upwards, allocating five of them to SWISS<\/a> to replace its aging A340-300 fleet.<\/p>\n
In 2021, that order doubled to ten. Fast forward to today, and SWISS has officially taken delivery of its first A350, with plans to add two per year through the end of the decade.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n This first airframe is special \u2014 for many reasons, but most visibly because of its livery.<\/p>\n
A visual marvel: The SWISS Wanderlust livery<\/span><\/h3>\n
Lausanne<\/em> is covered in art from nose to tail. As SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger explained, the one-of-a-kind \u201cWanderlust\u201d livery is \u201can homage to Switzerland and its diversity, with lively illustrations of iconic places, buildings, and cultural motifs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n The artwork was created by a Swiss artist and applied to the aircraft as large, meticulously placed decals. It\u2019s a marvel to look at. And it's nearly impossible to take in all the details at once.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n If you happen to spot the aircraft, it\u2019s worth snapping a photo. This special livery is unique to Lausanne<\/em> and won\u2019t be re-created or reimagined on any other SWISS aircraft — at least for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n That\u2019s mostly because of the price tag. As Fehlinger explained, decorating a plane like this is expensive, and SWISS would rather invest those resources into enhancing the passenger experience, both in the air and on the ground.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n What It\u2019s Like Onboard SWISS\u2019s New Airbus A350<\/span><\/h2>\n
Outside of being the first A350-900 in the SWISS fleet, Lausanne<\/em> is also the airline\u2019s first aircraft to feature the new SWISS Senses<\/a> product. And this means two things.<\/p>\n
First, SWISS Senses is the name of the airline\u2019s reimagined cabin design. Every seat you see on the A350 is new to SWISS. And for now, it's exclusive to this aircraft type.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n While it\u2019s not Lufthansa\u2019s Allegris product<\/a>, there are some clear similarities. But there are plenty of differences, too \u2014 most notably in the cabin layout.<\/p>\n
The SWISS A350 features four first-class seats, 45 business-class seats, 38 premium economy seats, and 156 economy seats for\u00a0a grand total of 243 seats<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0That\u2019s 24 fewer seats than you'll find on Lufthansa\u2019s Allegris-equipped A350s. SWISS opted for a larger premium economy section and a more spacious business class cabin instead of packing in additional economy seats.<\/p>\n
The second meaning behind SWISS Senses is more literal. It\u2019s a nod to the five human senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.<\/p>\n
Passengers will notice this concept throughout the A350 and increasingly so in SWISS\u2019s lounges. In the sky, the airline will embody the concept with a lighting system that adjusts to natural daylight to help reduce jet lag (sight), a new signature scent called Alpine Valley<\/em> (smell), a cabin that\u2019s nearly 50% quieter than SWISS\u2019s other long-haul aircraft (hearing), refreshed food and beverage offerings (taste), and entirely new seat designs (touch).<\/p>\n
Now that you know the backstory, let\u2019s step inside the first A350, starting from the pointy end of the plane and working our way to the back.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n First class<\/span><\/h3>\n
Even though many airlines are phasing out traditional first class in favor of expanding or upgrading their business class cabins, SWISS is sticking with a bona fide first class product on its A350-900 aircraft, much like it already offers on its other long-haul jets. That said, the A350\u2019s version looks quite a bit different from what you\u2019ll find elsewhere in the fleet.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n The new SWISS First cabin features an entirely new suite concept. Each suite includes its own sliding door, wardrobe, spacious dining table, and fine-wool upholstery with elegant wood accents.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Two adjacent suites can even be combined into what SWISS calls a Grand Suite. This is more space than anyone could reasonably need on a flight of any length. But I digress.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n First class passengers will also enjoy redesigned amenity kits, pajamas, and the airline\u2019s signature high-touch service.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n But as beautiful as these suites are, one design choice left me scratching my head: the \u201cdoor.\u201d SWISS refers to it as a door, and technically that\u2019s accurate, but it\u2019s really more of a thick felt curtain with a handle, not a solid sliding partition like you might expect from looking at the suite's exterior. To put it bluntly, it feels cheap.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Whether this was a cost-saving decision or simply the most practical option given certification rules, I\u2019m not sure. But it\u2019s still an odd choice, especially considering that some of SWISS's business class suites have actual doors.<\/p>\n
Business class<\/span><\/h3>\n
For those of us (myself included) who\u2019ve been waiting for SWISS to give its business class cabins a proper refresh, the Airbus A350 is a breath of fresh air. The airline\u2019s newest jet features 45 business class suites spread across two sections separated by a galley. Every seat affords direct aisle access, converts into a fully flat bed up to seven feet long, offers wireless device charging, and provides ample personal storage.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Visually, these seats look almost identical to Lufthansa\u2019s Allegris business class product. Fehlinger noted that the Lufthansa Group as a whole favors this seat design because it offers a configuration for every type of traveler while still maximizing space efficiency compared to traditional layouts.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n While these seats are far more private and comfortable than SWISS\u2019s older business class product, the mix of configurations can be a bit confusing for unassuming passengers. There are five options: Business Suite, Privacy Seat, Extra Space Seat, Extra Long Bed Seat, and Classic Seat.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Of these, the Business Suite is the most premium. There are eight of them on the A350. You'll find four in each business class cabin \u2014 and they\u2019re the only suites on the entire plane with true hard-shell doors. These seats fall somewhere between traditional business class and first class in terms of privacy and comfort.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n To select one of these seats \u2014 or an \u201cExtra Space\u201d throne-style seat \u2014 you\u2019ll need to pay extra. At the time of writing, SWISS charges about $588 per person for a Business Suite or $200 for an Extra Space Seat on an example flight between Boston and Zurich. However, business class passengers can choose a Privacy Seat, Extra Long Bed, and Classic Seat free of charge.<\/p>\n
Credit: SWISS<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n By comparison, Lufthansa charges for every seat type except the Classic Seat, even on award bookings<\/a>. It remains to be seen whether SWISS will expand paid seat selection to additional types or apply similar policies to award tickets booked through partner programs.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n That said, there\u2019s really no bad seat here. Even the Classic Seats — which are closest to the aisle and offer the least privacy — represent a massive upgrade over SWISS\u2019s older business class.<\/p>\n
Premium economy class<\/span><\/h3>\n
On its Airbus A350, SWISS went all in on premium economy. The aircraft features an impressive 38 premium economy seats arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration. It's a clear indicator of how much the airline values this cabin, which multiple executives noted as being continuously in demand.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n True to its name, premium economy offers more space and privacy than standard economy. Each seat includes an adjustable headrest with side panels that extend outward to help block the view of neighboring seats, a larger in-flight entertainment screen, nearly 19 inches of seat width, and an expanded tray table for dining or work. The cabin itself feels<\/em> cozy \u2014 perhaps even more so than either of the business class sections, and certainly more than the main economy cabin.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n If you want an experience that\u2019s closer to business class without paying business class prices \u2014 in cash or miles \u2014 premium economy is a solid middle ground. And since flights between the U.S. East Coast and Switzerland aren\u2019t particularly long, this cabin may be a practical alternative to business or first class for more reasons than one.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n That said, I wasn\u2019t completely sold on SWISS\u2019s new premium economy seats. The first seat I tried felt extremely firm \u2014 as did the second and third. It\u2019s possible they just haven\u2019t been broken in yet, but I actually found the economy seats behind them to be noticeably more comfortable from the moment I sat down. Weird, I know.<\/p>\n
Economy class<\/span><\/h3>\n
SWISS\u2019s economy cabin on the Airbus A350 is also a big step up from what you\u2019ll find on the airline\u2019s older long-haul jets. On the A350, SWISS installed a relatively modest 156 seats split between one main cabin and a smaller mini cabin. The larger section holds 140 seats, while the smaller one has just 16.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n For the most part, every seat is identical. Each features a 13.3-inch HD inflight entertainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity for personal headphones, and both USB-A and USB-C ports. Compared to other long-haul economy products I\u2019ve experienced, these seats rank among the better ones \u2014 though I\u2019d need to fly the product on a long-haul route to say for sure.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n And while some travelers dread the thought of flying economy, I don't think I'd really hesitate to fly SWISS economy. But that\u2019s largely because of how unique the mini economy cabin is.<\/p>\n
This small 16-seat section is located directly behind premium economy and feels incredibly private. The divider between the two cabins is practically non-existent, but the space feels quiet and comfortable. I was especially impressed by the pairs of seats along the windows \u2014 25A and 25B on one side, and 25H and 25J on the other. These preferred seats offer noticeably more legroom than most. If you\u2019re flying economy, these should be your first pick outside of the exit rows.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Most rows in the main economy cabin follow a standard 3-3-3 layout. The only exception is row 43H and 43J in the rear cabin, where you\u2019ll find a two-seat pair instead of three. These seats do recline, though perhaps not as far as others.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Speaking of recline, I found it to be quite generous \u2014 more so than on many competing airlines. That\u2019s great news if you like to lean back, but maybe less so for the person behind you trying to work on a laptop, eat a meal, or use the tray table in any capacity.<\/p>\n
The one area where the A350\u2019s economy cabin falls short is seat width. I found the seats fairly narrow, especially around the shoulders. As someone with broader shoulders, I felt a bit cramped when reclining, and extremely so if the seat next to me was upright.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Still, when I first sat down, I found the seat surprisingly comfortable. I\u2019d want to test it on a long-haul flight to be sure, but based on first impressions, SWISS economy on the A350 has piqued my interest.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Additional amenities<\/span><\/h3>\n
There are two more aspects of the SWISS A350 that most passengers care about, even if they\u2019re not top of mind: the number of lavatories and onboard Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n
Lavatories<\/h4>\n
The SWISS A350 is well-equipped in this department, with a total of eight lavatories across the aircraft. There\u2019s one in front of the first class cabin, two between the business class cabins, four between premium economy and standard economy, and one at the very back of the plane.<\/p>\n
While that\u2019s a reasonable number overall, the lack of multiple lavatories in the rear may create some congestion near the mid-cabin lavatories \u2014 particularly after meal service or about 30 minutes before landing.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Wi-Fi<\/h4>\n
If you plan to work, stream, or doom scroll social media during your flight, you\u2019ll be glad to know the A350 offers onboard Wi-Fi. However, it\u2019s not complimentary unless you\u2019re flying in first class or hold Miles & More HON Circle status.<\/p>\n
SWISS does offer some free services, such as text messaging through apps like WhatsApp, but you\u2019ll need to purchase a plan for anything beyond that. You can find current pricing and package details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Next Up: SWISS Senses Retrofits Across the Airline\u2019s Long-Haul Fleet<\/span><\/h2>\n
While it\u2019s undeniably exciting that SWISS now has a brand-new flagship aircraft, the reality is that it currently has just one \u2014 for now. In other words, you\u2019ll only find the SWISS Senses cabin on Lausanne until Airbus delivers additional A350s to Zurich.<\/p>\n
And with SWISS expecting to receive just two A350s per year through the end of the decade, it\u2019ll take some time before the new flagship jets become a more common sight.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n But as SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger explained to AwardWallet, the airline wants to ensure that the experience passengers have on one long-haul aircraft matches the experience on another. To achieve that, SWISS is embarking on a major project to retrofit its Airbus A330-200, A330-300, and Boeing 777-300ER fleets with the new SWISS Senses product. The exception is the aging A340-300, which will be retired as additional A350s enter service.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n The biggest question here is timing. From our conversation with Fehlinger, SWISS appears to be prioritizing the Airbus A330 fleet first. The airline plans to send aircraft to Hong Kong for what it describes as a \u201ccomplete reconstruction,\u201d beginning in the near future. Fehlinger also noted that North America is SWISS\u2019s most important market, and travelers there could start seeing SWISS Senses-equipped aircraft as early as summer 2026.<\/p>\n
The timeline for updating the Boeing 777s is less certain, as those jets already feature the newest version of SWISS\u2019s older cabins. Still, the goal is to complete the full retrofit program by around 2030. It's an ambitious target that means work will need to ramp up soon, and it appears it will.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n SWISS Senses coming to lounges, too<\/span><\/h3>\n
At the same time, SWISS is also investing heavily in its lounge network. The airline has begun updating its lounges to reflect the SWISS Senses design philosophy, focusing on enhancing the overall guest experience and expanding lounge space. During the A350 unveiling, SWISS confirmed that new lounge spaces are already in development at Zurich Airport. Ideally, similar improvements will extend beyond Zurich to other airports where SWISS operates its branded lounges.<\/p>\n
Credit: Tyler Glatt \/ AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Booking SWISS's New A350 Using Miles<\/span><\/h2>\n
If you thought we\u2019d go all the way to Zurich without a points and miles angle, you\u2019d be mistaken. As of the time of writing (less than a week after SWISS took delivery of its first A350!), you can already book a seat on it using points and miles.<\/p>\n
For example, you can try out the new SWISS Senses business class cabin between Boston and Zurich for as few as 60,000 Air Canada Aeroplan<\/a> points — or fly in economy for just 35,000 Aeroplan points.<\/p>\n
Credit: Air Canada<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n - Booking SWISS's New A350 Using Miles<\/a><\/li>
- Business class<\/a><\/li>
- What It\u2019s Like Onboard SWISS\u2019s New Airbus A350<\/a>
- A visual marvel: The SWISS Wanderlust livery<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-6-1.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-9.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-7.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-14.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-1-1.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-8.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-16.png\")
![\"Side-view](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-55.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-Emblem-2-1.png\")
![\"Down-aisle](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-46.png\")
![\"Side](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-48.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-47-1.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-49-1.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-44.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-35.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-38.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-40.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-43.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-SeatMap.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-41.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-26.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-32.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-27.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-22.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-19.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-33.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-21.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-18.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-23.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-25.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-51-1.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-2.png\")
![\"Airplanes](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-1.png\")
![\"SWISS](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-3.png\")
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-A350-53.png\")
![\"Air](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-Aeroplan.png\")
![\"United](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SWISS-United.png\")