SWISS International Airlines have been busy, with the airline completing the refit of its Boeing 777-300ER fleet to have the Premium Economy sections installed.
The refit has been completed across all 12 Boeing 777-300ER the airline operates (according to a tweet by the airline), with the first one unveiled in February this year. This means the product will be offered on all SWISS Boeing 777-300ER operated routes.
SWISS have 24 seats installed on their Boeing 777-300ER. The seats are from ZIM Aircraft Seating and are based on the ZIMPrivacy PC-02. These are covered with fabrics provided by the Bern-based Lantal company.
The seat has a 39″ seat pitch, with a recline of 31 degrees. The seat pan is 18.1″ wide.
The seats feature a hardshell design that enables them to be easily reclined at no inconvenience to the passenger behind. The seats feature a multi-fold table from the seat behind, with a multi-fold table employed. A six-way headrest is installed, which bodes well for passenger comfort.
Passengers are provided with noise-reducing headphones on the audio and video entertainment system, which features a 15.6-inch at-seat screen. A USB-A power socket is provided for those who need to charge their electronics.
The airline uses the ZIMPrivacy seat (PC-02), which I’ve recently tried.
I’ll have further thoughts on this in a deep dive – but compared to the previous PC-01, this is a major improvement.
More than the seat
Premium Economy isn’t just about the seat – it’s about the whole passenger experience. SWISS will be giving out complimentary amenity kits to passengers. The kit, which is provided by the Skysupply company, makes use of kraft paper and paper pulp in its contents to minimize plastic use.
SWISS’s in-flight culinary offering has also been modified to accommodate the new class of travel. SWISS Premium Economy guests a welcome drink and will be offered a choice of three hot meals.
For those who need to carry baggage, SWISS Premium Economy travellers can check in two pieces of baggage of up to 23 kilos each.
Now to sell it
Premium Economy has always had an interesting place in the aviation market, filling the spot above the traveller who wants more space, but can’t justify the cost of a business class seat.
With leisure travellers making up more of the travel mix, some may be willing to trade up for that extra space. Similarly, business travellers who are returning to the air may find budgets constrained and have to trade down from the flat seat to something a little cheaper.
SWISS’s product gives a chance for their passengers to choose that middle option – a welcome thing in the sky.
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