SWISS was formed in early 2002, after Swissair, the former flag carrier of Switzerland, went bankrupt, starting operations during the same year, on the 31st of March.
Until 2005, the airline gathered losses of over $1.6 billion.
In 2006, SWISS joined the Star Alliance and managed to receive a net profit of $220 million.
In 2007, the net profit rose to $570 million, and one year later, SWISS acquired Edelweiss Air and Servair – now Swiss Private Aviation.
In April 2008, all 52 aircraft of SWISS’s European fleet have been re-equipped with new seats that offer greater leg room and seating comfort.
In June 2008, SWISS started offering electronic tickets (e-tickets) for all its services.
In April 2009, SWISS’s first Airbus A330-300 aircraft entered into service with a new inflight product in all three seating classes.
In October 2010, SWISS celebrated its 100 millionth passenger.
In 2010 and 2011, SWISS launched applications for most smart mobile phones (iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry, Android and Nokia smartphones). The app enables users to make reservations, check-in, check the status of a flight, etc.
In June 2011, SWISS standardised the baggage regulations for its flights all over the world by extending the “piece concept”, already applying on North Atlantic flights, to all its services systemwide.
In 2011, SWISS was voted “Best Airline – Western Europe” in the Skytrax World Airline Awards and ranked second the next two years.
In 2012, SWISS was voted “Europe’s Leading Airline Business Class” at the World Travel Awards, a title also earned the year before, in 2011, and the year after, in 2013.
In 2013, the new SWISS aircraft, Bombardier CS100 aircraft, was publicly unveiled and successfully completed its first flight. Starting 2015, SWISS will gradually replace the existing Avro RJ100 fleet with the new jetliner.
In 2014, SWISS will introduce new products designed to enhance the air travel experience for people suffering from allergies: alternative (lactose- and gluten-free) food and drinks and changes to the cabin interior. With those innovations, SWISS becomes the world’s first certificated “allergy-friendly” airline.
In June 2015, SWISS launched its new fare concept for Europe – only pay for what you really need. The SWISS fare concept for European flights offers customers even greater choice and flexibility and features three Economy Class options alongside two Business Class fares. All fares include the flight, one piece of carry-on baggage, an in-flight snack and drinks, but the new Economy Light fare is the low-price option for customers who will be traveling with hand baggage only and do not need any ticketing flexibility.
In January 2016, the first Boeing B777 300 was delivered, becoming SWISS’ first Boeing aircraft and new fleet flagship. The 9 Boeing B777 300 aircraft on order will replace most of the Airbus A340 aircraft, the remaining five A340s being refurbished. The new aircraft will be used on long-haul routes to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bangkok, Hong Kong, São Paulo and Tel Aviv.
In June 2016, SWIS became the launch customer for the Bombardier CS100 aircraft, when its first CS100 aircraft, delivered in June 2016, made its first commercial flight from Zurich to Paris CDG on July 15.
In June 2017, SWISS’ first Bombardier CS300 entered service with its maiden commercial flight Geneva – London Heathrow. The 20 Bombardier CS300 aircraft were ordered to replace the A319 and Avro fleet. The last remaining Avro RJ100 aircraft completed its last flight from Geneva to Zurich in August 2017.
In February 2018, SWISS introduced new Business Class amenity kits on long-haul flights. The new collection in collaboration with Victorinox features, besides the usual amenities (toothbrush, toothpaste, a sleep mask, earplugs, etc.) a passport holder, a travel toiletries bag, a longer bag, and a high-quality metal tin with the Victorinox suitcase design that can be used as a pen or pencil box.
In 2019, SWISS transported 18,781,440 passengers, a 4.7% increase from the record of 17.9 million of the previous year. A total of 150,957 flights were operated, 4.1% more than in 2018, of which 132,561 were within Europe and 18,396 were on intercontinental routes. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (Adjusted EBIT) for 2019 amounted to CHF 578 million, 9% below the record CHF 636 million of the previous year.
In February 2020, SWISS took delivery of the first of 25 new aircraft of the Airbus A320neo family, 17 A320neos and 8 A321neos, that will replace older Airbus A320 aircraft in the SWISS fleet. With their innovative technology, the new twinjets help substantially further enhance SWISS’s environmental efficiency and also offer more travel comfort to both Business and Economy Class passengers, thanks to the newly-developed seats with their ergonomic pressure distribution and increased reclining. SWISS Airbus A320neos will operate on short- and medium-haul routes within Europe and to and from destinations in North Africa and the Middle East.
In 2020, the actions being taken in response to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic severely impacted SWISS. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a slump in the number of passengers. SWISS transported a total of 4,790,372 passengers in 2020, some 74.5% fewer than the previous year, and a total of 48,069 flights were operated, a 68.2% decline from 2019. For 2020, SWISS reported its first negative operating result in 15 years, with the Adjusted EBIT for the year amounting to CHF -654 million.
In May 2021, SWISS concluded the Airbus A220 fleet renewal with the 30th aircraft delivery, marking a further milestone in the biggest fleet renewal programme in its history. SWISS was the launching carrier and first operator of the new twinjet that emits over 20% less carbon dioxide than similar aircraft types.
In 2021, SWISS significantly reduced its operating loss from its prior-year level thanks to the transformation initiated, pursued through actions on the network, product, and sustainability fronts, comprehensive cost-saving measures, and strong cargo demand. The operating loss for the year of CHF -427.7 million was around one-third smaller than the previous year. Total revenue for 2021 amounted to CHF 2.10 billion, a 13.7% increase year-on-year.
In 2022, SWISS continued to raise travel comfort and strengthen its premium positioning in the leisure travel segment. In January, SWISS announced that the Airbus A320neo family aircraft are to be equipped with the innovative Airspace cabin to offer an enhanced air travel experience on short- and medium-haul routes. In March, meeting the customers’ growing demand for more privacy and comfort, SWISS launched its new Premium Economy Class installed on its long-haul Boeing B777 aircraft.
In December 2022, SWISS announced that it would gradually introduce, from 2025 onwards, five Airbus A350-900 twinjets to its intercontinental operations, taking another significant step toward modernizing its long-haul fleet. The new-generation carbon-efficient aircraft will gradually replace the Airbus A340-300 fleet, playing a substantial part in achieving SWISS’ ambitious climate goals and confirming the airline’s position as a premium air carrier.
In January 2023, SWISS announced that it would extend Premium Economy Class to all its four Airbus A340 aircraft after highly positive customer feedback on the enhanced service, the greater seating comfort, the food quality, and the wider choice of meals. The first Airbus A340 aircraft with the new Premium Economy Class installed entered into service on the Zurich – Johannesburg and Zurich – Chicago routes. The remaining Airbus A340s will feature the new class of travel by this April.
Today, SWISS is a Lufthansa subsidiary, with almost 9,000 employees, serving 87 destinations in Europe and 25 on other continents.
So far, no deadly incident involving SWISS aircraft has been recorded.
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