Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will introduce its new Airbus A350 on flights between Zurich and Mumbai from 15 December 2026. Travelers to India will thus be able to enjoy the new “SWISS Senses” long-haul travel experience for the first time. The entirely redesigned cabin offers greater comfort and privacy, along with state-of-the-art entertainment systems featuring larger screens.

SWISS will operate daily Airbus A350 flights to Mumbai until 3 January 2027. From 4 January, the airline will use the A350 on six days a week while continuing to serve Mumbai daily. For now, SWISS plans to operate the Airbus A350 on this route only during the 2026/27 winter timetable period.

Until now, SWISS has primarily served Mumbai with Airbus A330 aircraft. The Airbus A350 will reduce the flight time from Zurich to Mumbai by around 25 minutes to approximately 8 hours and 10 minutes. Its lighter construction, more powerful engines and higher cruising altitude all contribute to the shorter flight time.

“SWISS Wanderlust” to remain in the skies longer

SWISS will keep the special “SWISS Wanderlust” livery on its first Airbus A350 longer than originally planned. The airline initially intended to retain the elaborate design until the first quarter of 2027 but has now decided to extend its use beyond that period.

SWISS has not yet determined how long the aircraft will continue flying in its special livery. The airline plans to restore the classic SWISS livery during an already scheduled repainting.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved an operating result or Adjusted EBIT of CHF 421.4 million for the first nine months of 2026, broadly in line with the prior-year level (Q1-Q3 2025: CHF 411.2 million). Nine-month operating income amounted to CHF 4.38 billion, a 5.3-percent increase on the prior-year period (Q1-Q3 2025: CHF 4.17 billion).

Strong demand and rigorous cost management cushion higher fuel costs

“We achieved a solid operating result for the first nine months of 2026,” says CFO Dennis Weber. “And in doing so, despite challenging market conditions, we’ve made progress back toward our traditional earnings strength. That this progress was so small, despite strong travel demand and our rigorous cost economies, shows just how much impact higher fuel costs are having on our business profitability.”

The demand for air travel remained high in the third-quarter period. Yields also showed encouraging trends, especially in the premium travel classes and on long-haul routes.

“The additional revenue that we generated broadly equaled our additional fuel expense,” CFO Weber explains. “As a result, we were able to largely offset these higher fuel costs, but only slightly raised our earnings for the period. This makes it all the more vital that we continue to consistently lower our costs wherever we can influence these. The cost economies and efficiency measures which we initiated at an early stage are increasingly taking effect and have helped to prevent any earnings decline. They won’t yet be enough on their own, though, to sustainably improve our profitability.”

Cargo business shows favorable trends

SWISS’s airfreight business has shown particularly positive trends in the current year to date. SWISS WorldCargo has felt the benefit of strong demand on routes to and from Asia, generating higher earnings contributions than expected. “This development further confirms the importance of our airfreight business as a complementary revenue source in a challenging market environment,” Weber underlines.

Lower flight volumes, seat load factor virtually unchanged

SWISS transported some 13.7 million passengers in the first nine months of 2026, a 0.7-percent decline on the prior-year period. Some 106,500 flights were operated, a decline of 3.0 percent. Total available seat kilometer (ASK) capacity was reduced by 0.5 percent, while total revenue passenger kilometer (RPK) traffic volume was 0.1 percent below its prior-year level. Systemwide seat load factor (SLF) improved by 0.4 percentage points.

As the statistics confirm, SWISS was able to keep its flight program largely stable, despite continuing shortages of resources, especially of pilots and of engines within the short-haul aircraft fleet. Demand remained robust, and flights were fuller on average than they had been a year before.

SWISS’s flight operations were mixed in performance terms. Nine-month departure punctuality was raised to 69.0 percent, a 0.8-percentage-point improvement on the prior-year period. But the operating stability of 96.9 percent was 0.9 percentage points below its prior-year level. The summer months, particularly due to extreme weather events, posed significant operational challenges for SWISS.

High fuel prices dim the broader outlook

SWISS expects to feel even stronger financial pressures from further rises in fuel prices in the fourth-quarter period than it did in the third. Jet fuel prices are currently back up close to the peak levels seen upon the outbreak of the Iran war, making kerosene twice as expensive today as it was at the beginning of this year. These high prices look set to continue to challenge the company in the fourth-quarter period and the year ahead. So it is all the more imperative to further lower costs and improve processes and procedures companywide, to lay the foundations required for SWISS’s continued business success.

“Demand remains high and our aircraft are well booked,” concludes CEO Jens Fehlinger. “However, we cannot rely on this alone to ensure long-term success. Rising costs for fuel, maintenance and personnel continue to pose challenges. As a result, 2026 remains a transitional year for us, during which we will lay the foundations for continued growth and investment: in our guests, our employees and our fleet.”

Key figures for the first nine months of 2026 in brief

Key figures for the third quarter of 2026 in brief

On the occasion of the inaugural flight, SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger said:

“With Bengaluru, we are launching more than just a new flight route. We are creating new opportunities for our guests, for Swiss companies, and for Switzerland as a business location. India is a market with enormous potential, and Bengaluru is one of Asia's leading technology and innovation hubs. Alongside Delhi and Mumbai, Bengaluru is our third destination in India. We are making a targeted investment in the growth of our long-haul network while also strengthening Switzerland's international connectivity. In an increasingly interconnected world, personal encounters and direct exchanges are more important than ever.”

For more background on the addition of Bengaluru to our route network, please see the media release we published in May.

To mark the launch of our new route, we invite you to discover Bengaluru with SWISS Magazine and explore two sides of this vibrant Indian metropolis: Indian actress Nidhhi Agerwal takes us on a journey through her hometown, showcasing Bengaluru in all its colors. Only in Bengaluru for a short business trip? We share five places where you can discover a different side of the city between meetings. Here are our tips for 48 hours in Bengaluru.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) aims to operate as many flights as possible with its own aircraft and crews. With its summer 2027 flight schedule, the airline will be able to meet this objective to a much greater extent and significantly expand its own operations. At the same time, SWISS will reduce its reliance on aircraft and crews from other airlines: in summer 2027, only around 18 aircraft will operate for SWISS under so-called wet lease arrangements, down from 26. One factor contributing to this development is that SWISS will once again operate additional Airbus A320 aircraft itself.

Jens Fehlinger, Chief Executive Officer of SWISS, explains: “We have set ourselves the goal of operating more flights ourselves again. And that is exactly what we are now putting into practice: next summer, up to eight fewer aircraft will operate for SWISS under wet lease arrangements compared with the previous year. This is by no means a given. It requires the right operational conditions, enough crews and forward-looking planning. This makes it an even more significant step. At the same time, we are consistently focusing on Helvetic Airways as a strong, proven and long-term strategic partner.”

Improved operating conditions for SWISS

In recent years, wet-lease partners have helped SWISS maintain a stable flight schedule despite limitations on its own operating capabilities. The reasons for these constraints included shortages of Pratt & Whitney engines, additional training requirements and limited cockpit crew resources.

This situation is gradually easing. More engines are becoming available again, and staffing levels in the cockpit are also improving. As a result, SWISS will once again be able to operate more flights with its own aircraft and crews.

SWISS strengthens its focus on Helvetic Airways

As its wet-lease requirements decrease, SWISS is also reducing the number of its partners. Going forward, the airline will work primarily with Helvetic Airways.

The cooperation with airBaltic will end with the conclusion of the 2026/27 winter timetable period. airBaltic has provided reliable support to SWISS during a challenging period and has made a significant contribution to maintaining a stable offering for SWISS customers despite the Pratt & Whitney engine issues.

SWISS will further expand its long-standing partnership with Helvetic Airways. This cooperation enables SWISS to plan reliably, maintain a high level of operational stability and benefit from the flexibility required to accommodate seasonal fluctuations and short-term operational needs.

In view of the current situation and the volatile developments in the Middle East, SWISS has today decided, together with the Lufthansa Group, to postpone the planned resumption of its flights to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) until 25 November 2026. The services were originally scheduled to resume on 27 October.

We regret the inconvenience this may cause our passengers. Affected passengers will be contacted directly and offered flexible rebooking options or a full refund.

The safety of our passengers and crews remains SWISS's highest priority at all times. We continue to closely monitor developments in the Middle East and assess the situation on an ongoing basis.

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09.09.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #49: SWISS to resume flights to Dubai at the end of October

From 27 October 2026, SWISS will once again connect Zurich and Dubai with a daily service, returning the metropolis on the Arabian Gulf to its regular flight schedule. The service, operating under flight numbers LX242/243, will mainly be operated by an Airbus A340-300 during the winter schedule. This means that our guests will also be able to enjoy Premium Economy Class on this route.

The flights originally scheduled for 25 and 26 October, at the start of the winter flight schedule, cannot be operated for operational reasons. Affected passengers will be informed of the cancellations and rebooked onto alternative connections. Our Service Center is available around the clock on +41 (0)848 700 700 to assist affected customers.

SWISS continues to monitor the situation closely and assess it on an ongoing basis together with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and locally, as well as in coordination with the Lufthansa Group. The safety of its passengers and employees remains SWISS’s highest priority.

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23.06.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #48: SWISS continues additional flights to Delhi through the end of October and keeps flights to Dubai suspended

For operational reasons, SWISS is extending the suspension of its flights to and from Dubai up to and including 24 October 2026.

At the same time, SWISS will continue its expanded flight offering between Zurich and Delhi until the end of the 2026 summer timetable on 24 October 2026. In addition to the regular daily service, a second daily flight operated with an Airbus A330 will continue to be offered.

There is currently strong demand for travel to and from India. In response to this high demand, SWISS will continue to offer a second daily flight between Zurich and Delhi in addition to its regular daily service. This provides customers with greater choice and additional travel options.

Additional flights (daily):

• LX2646: Zurich 12:35 p.m. – Delhi 12:05 a.m.
• LX2647: Delhi 1:40 a.m. – Zurich 7:00 a.m.

Regular flights (daily):

• LX146: Zurich 12:10 p.m. – Delhi 11:35 p.m.
• LX147: Delhi 1:05 a.m. – Zurich 6:20 a.m.

Affected guests whose flights are cancelled as a result of this adjustment can rebook to a later travel date free of charge or alternatively request a full refund of the ticket price. SWISS Customer Services can be reached around the clock at +41 (0)848 700 700.

SWISS continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East and remains in close contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on the ground, as well as within the Lufthansa Group.

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02.06.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #47: SWISS postpones resumption of Tel Aviv flights until August 2026

SWISS is adjusting its plans regarding the resumption of flights to and from Tel Aviv and now intends to restart the route as of 1 August 2026.

The Lufthansa Group will resume services to Tel Aviv already in June, initially with a reduced flight programme. As part of this gradual resumption, SWISS will restart its Zurich–Tel Aviv service as of 1 August 2026 for operational reasons.

Guests whose flights are cancelled as a result of this adjustment can rebook their trip to a later date free of charge or alternatively request a full refund of the ticket price. SWISS Customer Services can be reached around the clock at +41 (0)848 700 700.

SWISS continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East and remains in close contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on the ground, as well as within the Lufthansa Group.

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13.05.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #46: SWISS plans to resume flights to Tel Aviv from July 2026 – Dubai flights remain suspended

SWISS is planning to resume its flights to and from Tel Aviv as of 1 July 2026. Until then, the airline will undertake all necessary operational preparations to be able to offer this connection to its guests again. This includes, in particular, crew planning for cockpit and cabin staff as well as ensuring the availability of the respective aircraft. SWISS is also in exchange with its social partners on this matter.

Several airlines within the Lufthansa Group have decided to resume their flights to Tel Aviv already from June 2026.

Dubai flights suspended until mid-September 2026 and to Beirut until the end of October 2026

For operational reasons, SWISS is extending the suspension of its flights to and from Dubai up to and including 13 September 2026. Flights to Beirut remain suspended until 24 October 2026.

Affected guests can rebook to a later travel date free of charge or alternatively request a full refund of the ticket price. SWISS Customer Services can be reached around the clock at +41 (0)848 700 700.

SWISS continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East and remains in close contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on the ground, as well as within the Lufthansa Group.

Additional Delhi flights remain in place

At the same time, SWISS is extending its expanded flight offering between Zurich and Delhi up to and including 13 September 2026. In addition to the regular daily service, SWISS will continue to offer a second daily connection operated with an Airbus A330.

With flights to Dubai remaining suspended, SWISS is deploying available capacity specifically on routes where demand is currently particularly high. At present, SWISS is seeing significantly increased demand to and from India and is responding with the additional flight offering.

Additional flights (daily):
• LX2646: Zurich 12:35 p.m. – Delhi 12:00 a.m.
• LX2647: Delhi 1:40 a.m. – Zurich 7:00 a.m.

Regular flights (daily):
• LX146: Zurich 12:10 p.m. – Delhi 11:35 p.m.
• LX147: Delhi 1:05 a.m. – Zurich 6:20 a.m.

SWISS continuously reviews how aircraft and capacities that become available can best be deployed on routes with particularly high demand. In addition to demand, decisive factors include operational conditions such as available airport slots, traffic rights and fleet deployment possibilities.

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05.05.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #45: SWISS continues to offer two daily connections between Zurich and Delhi until 11 July

As in April and May, SWISS is continuing to increase its flight offering between Switzerland and India in June and until and including 11 July 2026. In addition to its regular daily service from Zurich to Delhi, the airline is operating a second daily connection using an Airbus A330.

Numerous passengers of other airlines are currently unable to take their originally booked flights via the Gulf region. As a result, many are switching to direct connections to and from Asia. SWISS is seeing a corresponding rise in demand for such nonstop services. We are pleased to offer our customers this additional flight to Delhi over the next weeks. The flights are available for booking with immediate effect.

Additional flights (daily):

• LX2646: Zurich 12:35 – Delhi 00:00
• LX2647: Delhi 01:40 – Zurich 07:00

Regular flights (daily):

• LX146: Zurich 12:10 – Delhi 23:35
• LX147: Delhi 01:05 – Zurich 06:20

Depending on further developments in the Middle East, SWISS continuously assesses how aircraft and capacities that become available can be deployed where demand is particularly strong. In addition to demand, key factors include operational constraints such as available airport slots, traffic rights and fleet deployment capabilities.

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14.04.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #44: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Dubai until and including 11 July 2026

Due to the ongoing volatile situation in the Middle East, SWISS will suspend flights to and from Dubai until and including 11 July 2026. Flights had previously been suspended through 31 May 2026.

Affected passengers can rebook their travel free of charge for a later date or alternatively receive a full refund of the ticket price. Our customer service team is available 24 hours a day for questions from affected customers at +41 (0)848 700 700.

SWISS continues to closely monitor the situation and is assessing developments on an ongoing basis together with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site, as well as in coordination with the Lufthansa Group.

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01.04.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #43: SWISS expands short-haul offering

SWISS is further expanding its European short-haul network: Between May and September 2026, a total of 74 additional rotations will be operated between Switzerland and various European destinations. This expansion is made possible by freed-up capacity, which is being deployed in a targeted manner on routes with strong demand.

Targeted increase on popular short-haul destinations
The additional flights are distributed across the summer months as follows:

• In May, SWISS will increase capacity across nine destinations. A total of 31 additional rotations will be added to Málaga, Alicante, Stockholm, Athens, Malta, Porto, Palma de Mallorca, Palermo and Thessaloniki.
• From June to September, the focus will be on particularly high-demand markets such as Alicante, Thessaloniki and Venice.

In total, 11 destinations will benefit from the expansion: Málaga, Alicante, Stockholm, Athens, Malta, Nice, Porto, Palma de Mallorca, Palermo, Thessaloniki and Venice. The additional flights are available for booking with immediate effect.

Depending on further developments in the Middle East, SWISS continuously assesses how to deploy available aircraft and capacity where demand is particularly strong. At the same time, the offering is being strengthened where it is most needed from a seasonal perspective. This ensures that SWISS continues to provide its customers with an attractive and reliable travel offering, even in a dynamic environment.

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26.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #42: SWISS doubles flights between Zurich and Delhi in April and May

SWISS is increasing its flight offering between Switzerland and India. From 1 April to 31 May 2026, in addition to its regular service from Zurich to Delhi, SWISS will operate a second daily connection using an Airbus A330.

Numerous passengers of other airlines are currently unable to take their originally booked flights via the Gulf region. As a result, many are switching to direct connections to and from Asia. SWISS is seeing a corresponding rise in demand for such nonstop services. We are pleased to offer our customers this additional flight to Delhi over the next two months. The flights are available for booking with immediate effect.

Additional flights (daily)

• LX2646: Zurich 19:35 – Delhi 07:00
• LX2647: Delhi 08:40 – Zurich 14:00

Regular flights (daily)

• LX146: Zurich 12:10 – Delhi 23:35
• LX147: Delhi 01:05 – Zurich 06:20

Depending on further developments in the Middle East, SWISS continuously assesses how aircraft and capacities that become available can be deployed where demand is particularly strong. In addition to demand, key factors include operational constraints such as available airport slots, traffic rights and fleet deployment capabilities.

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23.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #41: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv until and including 31 May

Due to the ongoing volatile situation in the Middle East, SWISS will suspend flights to and from Dubai and Tel Aviv until and including 31 May.

Affected passengers can rebook their travel free of charge for a later date or alternatively receive a full refund of the ticket price. Our customer service team is available 24 hours a day for questions from affected customers at +41 (0)848 700 700.

SWISS continues to closely monitor the situation and is assessing developments on an ongoing basis together with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site, as well as in coordination with the Lufthansa Group.

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17.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #40: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until and including 9 April

Due to the current situation in the Middle East and the associated significant restrictions on air traffic, SWISS and the other airlines of the Lufthansa Group will suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until and including 9 April.

Affected passengers can rebook their travel free of charge for a later date or alternatively receive a full refund of the ticket price. Our customer service team is available 24 hours a day for questions from affected customers at +41 (0)848 700 700.

SWISS continues to closely monitor the situation and is assessing developments on an ongoing basis together with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site, as well as in coordination with the Lufthansa Group.

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17.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #39: SWISS to Offer Additional Flights Between Delhi and Zurich

SWISS is responding to the current high demand for flights between India and Europe by expanding its service at short notice. From March 19 to 24, 2026, in addition to our daily flight, we will offer a second daily service to the Indian metropolis using an Airbus A330 long-haul aircraft.

International air traffic in the Middle East remains severely restricted. Many travelers are having to change their original travel plans and are looking for alternative routes back to Europe or onward to Asia. Consequently, demand is currently high for the existing SWISS connections between Delhi and Zurich, which are already largely fully booked. We are pleased to be able to offer our guests additional options in this challenging situation.

The flights are available for booking now.

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12.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #38: SWISS suspends flights to Dubai through March 28

SWISS will suspend its flights to Dubai through March 28, inclusive. This measure follows a corresponding adjustment to the flight schedule within the Lufthansa Group. Previously, these flights had been canceled only through March 15.

The reason for the extended suspension is that both airports in Dubai (DXB and DWC) are significantly reducing the number of permitted flight movements due to capacity constraints. As a result, airlines within the Lufthansa Group (SWISS, Lufthansa, ITA Airways, Austrian Airlines, and Eurowings) have been ordered by the airports to cancel all flights during the specified period.

In close coordination with the Lufthansa Group, SWISS will assess whether it may still be possible to operate individual flights despite the significant restrictions. Requests will be reviewed by the authorities of the United Arab Emirates on a case-by-case basis, meaning there is no guarantee that a flight or a requested time slot will be approved.

Naturally, we are monitoring the situation continuously and very closely. The safety of our passengers and crews remains our highest priority and forms the basis for all decisions regarding flight operations. Our goal is to resume operations to Dubai as soon as possible and to bring affected passengers to their destinations or back home as quickly as possible.

We are aware that these decisions may affect our customers’ travel plans and may create uncertainty. We sincerely regret the inconvenience that the flight cancellations may cause for our passengers. Affected travelers may rebook free of charge for a later travel date or alternatively receive a full refund of the ticket price. Our customer service team is available around the clock for questions from affected customers at +41 (0)848 700 700.

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09.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #37: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Dubai until 15 March – and to Tel Aviv until 2 April

SWISS is extending the suspension of its flights to Dubai until and including 15 March due to the continued tense situation in the Middle East. Flights to Tel Aviv will now remain suspended until and including 2 April. The safety of its crews and passengers is SWISS’s top priority at all times. In light of the current situation, SWISS has therefore decided to continue suspending these services for the time being.

SWISS continues to closely monitor developments and is assessing the situation on an ongoing basis together with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and locally, as well as in coordination with the Lufthansa Group. Our specialists are carefully evaluating all available information. Flights will resume as soon as the security situation allows. This will however require a stable and secure overall situation as well as the cooperation of the local authorities.

We are aware that these decisions may affect our customers’ travel plans and may create uncertainty. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers by these cancellations. Affected passengers can rebook their flights to a later date free of charge or request a full refund of their ticket. Our customer service team is available around the clock to assist affected passengers at +41 (0)848 700 700.

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05.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #36: SWISS special flight from Muscat lands in Zurich

The SWISS special flight operated for stranded travelers from the Middle East departed from Muscat (Oman) this morning, March 5, and landed in Zurich shortly after 14:30 local time. On board the fully booked Airbus A340 were 211 passengers – 205 adults and six infants. Within less than 48 hours, around 40 employees made this flight possible. Teams from Operations, Engineering and Maintenance, Crew Planning and many other areas worked together under significant time pressure, coordinating processes, organizing volunteer crews and liaising with the authorities.

The onboard team was also deliberately broadly composed. The crew consisted of two captains, two first officers and ten flight attendants. In addition, a mechanic traveled on the flight. As a precaution, the team had loaded a container with important spare parts in the cargo hold, including wheels, in order to be able to act as independently as possible should technical work be required in Muscat. The crew was therefore prepared for many of the contingencies such a mission can entail. Already yesterday evening, Wednesday, the crew had flown the aircraft to Oman to prepare for the operation.

“This flight is the result of an enormous team effort by many colleagues who worked around the clock to make this mission possible,” says Oliver Buchhofer, COO of SWISS. “We would like to thank our crew for their extraordinary commitment as well as everyone who planned and carried out this flight. What may appear from the outside to be a simple solution in reality requires very careful and complex preparation. A crew must be legally deployable and comply with mandatory rest periods, as these flights are demanding and intense. The aircraft must be technically available and suitable for the mission. Authorities must grant their approval. The situation at the destination and along the flight route must be sufficiently safe and predictable. And we must ensure that the return flight is equally secured.”

With this flight, SWISS was able to make a concrete contribution to supporting those affected in this difficult situation. Especially in extraordinary situations like this, it is our commitment to be there for our customers and for Switzerland and to assume responsibility.

The SWISS special flight was carried out in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). However, it was not a subsidized evacuation flight but an independent operation conducted by SWISS.

We continue to assess when and under which conditions we can resume flight operations or offer additional connections. We are monitoring the situation in the Middle East continuously and very carefully. The safety of our crews and passengers remains the basis for every decision we take.

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05.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #35: SWISS suspends its flights to Dubai until and including March 10

SWISS has suspended its flights to Dubai until and including March 10 due to the continued tense situation in the Middle East. Flights to Tel Aviv have been canceled until March 22. For SWISS, the safety of its crews and passengers is always the top priority. On this basis, we have decided to continue not operating these flights.

On Thursday morning, a SWISS special flight departed from Muscat, Oman,for Zurich. Landing is expected at 14:30 local time. There are 211 passengerson board, 206 adults and 5 infants. These include guests who already held aSWISS ticket but were unable to begin their journey to Zurich due to thecurrent situation. In addition, Swiss citizens who registered their location inOman with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) were providedwith the booking hotline details by SWISS for this flight. In this way, we aimin particular to offer Swiss citizens an opportunity to return home.

We are aware that many people — including Swiss citizens in the MiddleEast — are currently hoping to leave both Dubai and other locations in theregion and are waiting for solutions. We fully understand that this situationis associated with uncertainty, concern, and significant strain. Especially inextraordinary situations like this, it is our goal to be there for our guestsand for Switzerland and to assume responsibility.

For this reason, we are reviewing the situation with great urgency andutmost care. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and arein close contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and locally. Assoon as the security situation allows it responsibly, we will resume ourflights. At the same time, we are continuously assessing whether additional oralternative flight options may be possible. However, this always requires anoverall stable and secure situation as well as cooperation from the localauthorities.

We understand that these decisions may affect our customers’ travel plans and may create uncertainty. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers by these flight cancellations. Affected passengers may rebook to a later travel date free of charge or alternatively receive a full refund of the ticket price. Our customer service team is available around the clock for questions from affected customers at +41 (0)848 700 700.

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04.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #34: SWISS organizes special flight from Muscat to Zurich

SWISS has decided to operate a special flight from Muscat (Oman) to Zurich in order to enable stranded travellers to return to Switzerland.

The flight will be operated with an Airbus A340 under flight number LX7043. The aircraft will depart Muscat on Thursday, 5 March, at 9:15 a.m. local time and is expected to arrive in Zurich at 2:00 p.m. Today, the aircraft will fly from Zurich to Muscat as LX5042 with crew members and mechanics on board to prepare for the return flight.

Many people remain in the Middle East and are hoping for a safe return. We are aware that the situation on the ground is highly challenging for many and remains associated with uncertainty. Muscat is not currently a regular SWISS destination. With this flight, we intend to make a concrete contribution and support those affected in this difficult situation. Especially in circumstances such as these, it is our ambition to be there for our guests and for Switzerland and to assume responsibility.

The flight is being operated in close coordination with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). However, it is not a subsidized evacuation flight but an independent operation carried out by SWISS.

On board will be, on the one hand, passengers who already held a SWISS ticket and were unable to commence their journey to Zurich due to the current situation. On the other hand, Swiss nationals who have registered their place of residence in Oman with the FDFA will receive the contact details of the SWISS booking hotline for this flight. This will be possible from 11:00 a.m. (CET) today. In particular, this measure is intended to offer Swiss citizens an opportunity to return home.

Independently of this operation, we continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East closely and carefully. We are continuously evaluating when and under which conditions we can resume flight operations or offer additional connections. The safety of our passengers and crews remains the basis for every decision.

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03.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #33: SWISS Suspends Flights to Dubai Through March 6

Due to the continued heightened tensions in the Middle East, SWISS will suspend its flights to Dubai through and including March 6. Flights to Tel Aviv remain canceled through March 8, as previously communicated.

The safety of our crews and passengers is our highest priority at all times. Based on this principle, we have decided to continue suspending these operations.

We are aware that many people — including Swiss nationals in the Middle East — are currently hoping to depart from Dubai and other locations in the region and are waiting for solutions. We fully understand that this situation is associated with uncertainty, concern, and considerable stress.

For this reason, we are assessing the situation intensively and with the utmost care. As soon as the security situation allows for responsible operations, we will resume our flights. At the same time, we are continuously evaluating whether additional or alternative flight options may be possible. However, such options require an overall stable and secure environment as well as cooperation from the relevant local authorities.

As a result of the situation, numerous airspaces in the region are currently closed. Through March 6, our aircraft will not operate within the airspace of the United Arab Emirates or Cyprus. Through March 8, we will also avoid the airspace of Israel, Jordan, Dammam, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.

We recognize that these decisions may disrupt our customers’ travel plans and create uncertainty. However, the safety of our crews and passengers remains our top priority. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused by these flight cancellations.

Affected passengers may rebook free of charge to a later travel date or alternatively receive a full refund of the ticket price. Our customer service team is available 24/7 at +41 (0) 848 700 700 to assist affected customers.

We continue to closely monitor developments in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and remain in close coordination with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and locally.

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01.03.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #32: SWISS suspends flights to Dubai until and including 4 March

Due to current developments in the Middle East, SWISS is suspending its flights to and from Tel Aviv until 7 March. A total of 14 flights in both directions are affected. For SWISS, the safety of its crews and passengers is always our top priority. We have made this decision on that basis.

As numerous airspaces are closed as a result of the current situation, we are also canceling the flights from Zurich to Dubai scheduled for today and tomorrow.

We know that these last-minute changes mean a lot of our passengers will have to rearrange their plans and deal with uncertainty, and we're really sorry about that. We're proactively contacting them and, depending on availability, rebooking them on other flights. Alternatively, we're offering them either a free rebooking to a later date or a refund of the ticket price.

SWISS employees are working in Tel Aviv on the maintenance and handling of our aircraft. Their safety is our top priority. We are in close and constant contact with them and are doing everything we can to support them. We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Middle East very closely. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and locally.

***

28.02.2026 SWISS Newsbrief #31: SWISS suspends flights to Tel Aviv until March 7

Due to current developments in the Middle East, SWISS is suspending its flights to and from Tel Aviv until 7 March. A total of 14 flights in both directions are affected. For SWISS, the safety of its crews and passengers is always our top priority. We have made this decision on that basis.

As numerous airspaces are closed as a result of the current situation, we are also canceling the flights from Zurich to Dubai scheduled for today and tomorrow.

We know that these last-minute changes mean a lot of our passengers will have to rearrange their plans and deal with uncertainty, and we're really sorry about that. We're proactively contacting them and, depending on availability, rebooking them on other flights. Alternatively, we're offering them either a free rebooking to a later date or a refund of the ticket price.

SWISS employees are working in Tel Aviv on the maintenance and handling of our aircraft. Their safety is our top priority. We are in close and constant contact with them and are doing everything we can to support them. We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Middle East very closely. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and locally.

***

05.08.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #30: SWISS to resume flights to and from Tel Aviv already on 25 September

SWISS will resume flights to Tel Aviv on 25 September - four days earlier than originally announced.

SWISS is responding to the high demand on this route. Sufficient aircraft and crews are available for the early resumption.

The service was originally scheduled to resume on September 29, after being suspended in mid-June, to ensure operational stability and planning reliability.

A daily flight operated with an Airbus A330 is planned under flight number LX252 with the return flight to Zurich operating under flight number LX253.

SWISS flights to Beirut were resumed on August 3.

***

23.07.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #29: SWISS to resume flights to Tel Aviv at the end of September

SWISS will resume flights to Tel Aviv on 29 September. A daily flight operated with an Airbus A330 is planned under flight number LX252.

In mid-June, SWISS had decided to suspend the route until the end of the summer schedule in late October to ensure operational stability and planning reliability. A renewed assessment of the situation has shown that an earlier resumption is possible.

Flights to Beirut will resume as planned from 3 August.

***

13.06.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #28: SWISS will not fly to Tel Aviv until the end of October – Beirut temporarily suspended

The Lufthansa Group has decided to suspend all flights to and from Tel Aviv until 31 July inclusive. SWISS is aligning with this decision. To ensure planning reliability and operational stability for our passengers, crews, and flight operations, SWISS has also decided not to resume flights to Tel Aviv for the remainder of the summer schedule, until 25 October.

We remain in close contact with our colleagues in Tel Aviv. They are safe and are adhering to the guidance of the Israeli authorities. We are supporting them closely, particularly with regard to questions concerning their departure from Israel.

Flights to Beirut, which were planned as part of the current summer schedule, are temporarily suspended until 31 July, due to the renewed escalation in the region.

Affected passengers are being informed proactively and may either rebook at no charge for a later date or receive a full refund of the ticket price. We will provide an update on the possible resumption of Beirut flights as soon as a reliable assessment of the security situation is possible.

We are also avoiding the airspace of the affected countries until further notice. As a result, flight times to destinations in Asia may be extended by up to 30 minutes, depending on the route.

The safety of our guests and crews remains SWISS’s highest priority. We continue to closely monitor the situation and are in close coordination with the relevant authorities and Lufthansa Group airlines.

***

06.06.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #27: SWISS plans to resume flights to Tel Aviv from 23 June

Following a thorough analysis of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS plans to resume flights to and from Tel Aviv from 23 June. From this date, SWISS will once again operate daily flights from Zurich to the Israeli metropolis.

As planned in the summer flight schedule, SWISS will resume seasonal flights to Beirut twice a week from 10 June until mid-September. SWISS connects Zurich with the Lebanese capital with a short-haul aircraft.

The flights to both destinations are planned without a night stop for the crews.

The decision to resume flights to these two destinations in the Middle East is based on a comprehensive security analysis and has been made in consultation with the relevant authorities. For operational reasons, the individual airlines in the Lufthansa Group are resuming their services gradually. This applies to flights operated by SWISS, Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and ITA Airways.

We are continuing to monitor the situation on the ground closely. The safety of our passengers and crews is our top priority.

***

03.06.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #26: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until and including 22 June

SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until and including Sunday, 22 June. We will notify affected passengers and rebook them on other flights if they desire and seats are available. Alternatively, we will offer them either a free rebooking to a later travel date or a refund of the ticket price.

We regret the inconvenience to our guests.

***

26.05.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #25: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until and including 15 June

Due to the current situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until and including Sunday, 15 June. We will notify affected passengers and rebook them on other flights if they desire and seats are available. Alternatively, we will offer them either a free rebooking to a later travel date or a refund of the ticket price.

We regret the inconvenience to our guests and continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East very closely. The safety of our passengers, crews and employees on the ground is our top priority.E

***

20.05.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #24: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until and including 8 June

Due to the current situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until and including Sunday, 8 June. We will notify affected passengers and rebook them on other flights if they desire and seats are available. Alternatively, we will offer them either a free rebooking to a later travel date or a refund of the ticket price.

We regret the inconvenience to our guests and continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East very closely. The safety of our passengers, crews and employees on the ground is our top priority.

***

15.05.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #23: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until and including 25 May

Due to the current situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until and including Sunday, 25 May. We will notify affected passengers and rebook them on other flights if they desire and seats are available. Alternatively, we will offer them either a free rebooking to a later travel date or a refund of the ticket price.

We regret the inconvenience to our guests and continue to monitor the situation in the middle east very closely. The safety of our passengers, crews and employees on the ground is our top priority.

***

09.05.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #22: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until and including 18 May

Due to the current situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of its flights to Tel Aviv until and including Sunday, 18 May. We will notify affected passengers and rebook them on other flights if they desire and seats are available. Alternatively, we will offer them either a free rebooking to a later travel date or a refund of the ticket price.

Due to the current situation between India and Pakistan, SWISS continues to avoid Pakistani airspace. This will extend the flight time on some routes to Asia.

We regret the inconvenience to our guests and continue to monitor the situation in both regions very closely. The safety of our passengers, crews and employees on the ground is our top priority.

***

05.05.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #21: SWISS extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until and including 11 May

Due to the current situation, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv until and including 11 May.
Affected passengers will be notified and rebooked on other flights, subject to availability. Alternatively, we are offering them either a free rebooking to a later travel date or a full refund of the ticket price.
We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East.

***

04.05.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #20: SWISS suspends flights to Tel Aviv until and including May 6

Due to the current situation, SWISS will suspend its flights to and from Tel Aviv until and including May 6.

Affected passengers will be notified and rebooked on other flights, subject to availability. Alternatively, we are offering them either a free rebooking to a later travel date or a full refund of the ticket price.

We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East.

We are in contact with our staff in Tel Aviv; they are safe and well.

***

16.01.2025 SWISS Newsbrief #19: SWISS resumes flight operations to Tel Aviv

Following a thorough analysis of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS and the Lufthansa Group carriers have decided to resume flight operations to and from Tel Aviv as of 01 February 2025. SWISS will fly daily from Zurich to the Israeli metropolis with a short-haul Airbus A320-family aircraft. Until further notice, the flight will be scheduled without a night stop for the crews.

Flights to and from Beirut remain suspended.

SWISS will be using Israeli airspace for overflights again as of February. Lebanon, however, will continue to be bypassed.

***

02.12.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #18: SWISS continues to suspend flights to Tel Aviv

SWISS has decided to continue canceling flights to and from Tel Aviv and will not serve the Israeli metropolis until and including Friday, January 31, 2025.

This measure aims to provide more predictability for both our passengers and our crews.

Affected passengers will be contacted. Naturally, we are offering free rebooking to a later travel date or a full refund of the ticket price.

***

11.11.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #17: SWISS continues to suspend flights to Tel Aviv

SWISS has decided to continue canceling flights to and from Tel Aviv and will not serve the Israeli metropolis until and including Sunday, December 15, 2024.

This measure aims to provide more predictability for both our passengers and our crews.

Affected passengers will be contacted. Naturally, we are offering free rebooking to a later travel date or a full refund of the ticket price.

***

28.10.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #16: SWISS continues to suspend flights to Tel Aviv

After thorough review, SWISS has decided to continue suspending its flights to and from Tel Aviv. The airline will not serve the Israeli metropolis until Monday, November 25, 2024.

Last week, we announced that flights to Beirut would remain suspended until January 18, 2025. These measures aim to provide more predictability for both our passengers and our crews.

Affected passengers will be contacted. Naturally, we are offering free rebooking to a later travel date or a full refund of the ticket price.

***

23.10.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #15: SWISS continues to suspend flights to Beirut until 18 January 2025

Following a thorough review, SWISS has decided to cancel flights to and from Beirut up to and including 18 January 2025. This measure is intended to provide greater planning certainty for both our passengers and crew.

Affected passengers will be contacted. Of course, we are offering a free rebooking for a later travel date or a refund of the ticket price.

***

21.10.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #14: SWISS continues to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv

Following a thorough review, SWISS has decided to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Sunday 10 November 2024. This measure is intended to provide more predictability for both our passengers and our crews.

The affected passengers will be contacted. We will of course offer free rebooking to a later travel date or a refund of the ticket price.

***

01.10.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #13: SWISS to avoid airspace over Iran, Iraq and Jordan with immediate effect

SWISS is responding to the latest developments in the Middle East. With immediate effect and until at least 2 October, we will avoid the airspace over Iran, Iraq and Jordan. This will increase flight times by up to 15 minutes on our Dubai, India and South-East Asia services. Regardless of this short-term adjustment, Israeli and Lebanese airspace will be bypassed up to and including 31 October.

Due to the airspace closure, today's flight LX242 to Dubai has been diverted to Antalya. The aircraft will refuel in Antalya and continue its journey to Dubai outside the affected airspace.

We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site.

***

01.10.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #12: SWISS continues to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut

After further review, SWISS has decided to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Thursday, 31 October 2024. All flights to and from Beirut will be cancelled up to and including Saturday, 30 November 2024. This measure is intended to provide more predictability for both our passengers and our crews.

Affected passengers will be contacted directly. Of course, we offer free rebooking to a later date or a full refund of the ticket price.

***

23.09.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #11: SWISS continues to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including 14 October

After careful further assessment of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to suspend its services to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Monday 14 October. The safety of our passengers and crews is always our top priority.

We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities both in Switzerland and on site. Based on this assessment, SWISS will decide at the appropriate time to resume flights to and from Tel Aviv.

We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and are contacting the passengers booked on the canceled flights. We will of course allow them to rebook to a later travel date free of charge or refund the full ticket price.

***

19.09.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #10: SWISS continues to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv

After careful further assessment of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to suspend its services to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Tuesday 24 September. The safety of our passengers and crews is always our top priority.

We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities both in Switzerland and on site. Based on this assessment, SWISS will decide at the appropriate time to resume flights to and from Tel Aviv.

We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and are contacting the passengers booked on the canceled flights. We will of course allow them to rebook to a later travel date free of charge or refund the full ticket price.

***

18.09.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #9: SWISS temporarily cancels flights to and from Tel Aviv until Thursday, September 19

SWISS reacts to the recent events in the Middle East. After careful consideration, we have decided to suspend flights from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back (LX252/253) on Wednesday and Thursday, September 18 and 19. The safety of our passengers and crews is always our top priority.

SWISS is also temporarily avoiding the airspace over Israel and Iran until and including Thursday, September 19.

Our specialists are evaluating all available information, are in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on the ground and will continue to assess the situation in the coming days.

We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and are contacting the passengers booked on the canceled flights. We will of course allow them to rebook to a later travel date free of charge or refund the full ticket price.

***

02.09.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #8: SWISS to resume services to and from Tel Aviv from 5 September

After extensive analysis of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS has concluded that safe flight operations can be assured to and from Tel Aviv. SWISS will therefore resume its services to and from the city on Thursday 5 September. SWISS will be serving Tel Aviv daily with long-haul Airbus A330 equipment.

SWISS services to and from Beirut will remain suspended as planned until the end of October. The decision to do is based on commercial considerations.

SWISS will also be using the airspace over Iraq and a northeastern corridor in Iranian airspace for overflight purposes.

Safety remains the paramount priority

Safety is always SWISS’s paramount priority. The company’s in-house specialists continue to closely monitor the safety and security situation in the Middle East, and are in close contact with the local and international authorities. Should changed circumstances require further modifications to our schedules, we will take all such action without delay.

Customers already booked to travel on these now-resumed services who would prefer not to do so for personal reasons may have their ticket refunded in full for any such flights up to and including 15 September 2024. They will also be able to initiate the refund process themselves at swiss.com/refund. Alternatively, SWISS Customer Services remains fully available to all travellers on +41 848 700 700. Customers who have booked their ticket via a travel agency or another third-party provider are asked to contact the provider concerned for the refund process.

***

29.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #7: SWISS continues to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut

After careful further assessment of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to extend the present suspension of its services to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Wednesday 04 September.

SWISS services to and from Beirut have been suspended until the end of October. This decision was taken independently of the current security situation in Lebanon, and is based on commercial considerations.

SWISS continues to use the airspace over Northeastern Iran for overflight purposes. But SWISS will continue to avoid using the rest of Iranian airspace and the airspace over Iraq and Israel until further notice.

We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities both in Switzerland and on site. Based on this assessment, SWISS will decide at the appropriate time to resume the affected flight connections.

We very much regret the inconvenience caused to our flight guests, but the safety of our passengers and crew always takes top priority. We are contacting the affected passengers, offering them a free rebooking to a later travel date or a full refund of the ticket price upon request.

***

23.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #6: SWISS continues to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut

SWISS has reviewed the current situation in the Middle East and decided to continue suspending its flights to and from Tel Aviv until and including Monday, 2 September. Flights to and from Beirut will remain suspended until and including Monday, 30 September.

SWISS will resume using the northeastern part of Iranian airspace for overflights from Tuesday, 27 August. However, the airline will continue to avoid the remaining Iranian airspace as well as the airspaces over Iraq and Israel until further notice.

We continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities both in Switzerland and on site. Based on this assessment, SWISS will decide at the appropriate time to resume the affected flight connections.

We very much regret the inconvenience caused to our flight guests, but the safety of our passengers and crew always takes top priority. We are contacting the affected passengers, offering them a free rebooking to a later travel date or a full refund of the ticket price upon request.

***

19.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #5: SWISS extends suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until 26 August

After further review of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until and including Monday, 26 August. The airspaces over Iran, Iraq and Israel will be avoided as well until 26 August.

We very much regret the inconvenience this may cause our passengers, but the safety of our passengers and crew always takes top priority. Affected passengers will be contacted directly. Of course, we offer free rebooking to a later date or a full refund of the ticket price.

We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site.

***

12.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #4: SWISS extends suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until 21 August

After further review of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until and including Friday, 21 August. The airspace over Iran, Iraq and Israel will be avoided as well until 21 August.

We very much regret the inconvenience this may cause our passengers, but the safety of our passengers and crew always takes top priority. Affected passengers will be contacted directly. Of course, we offer free rebooking to a later date or a full refund of the ticket price.

We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site.

***

07.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #3: SWISS extends suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until 13 August

After further review, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until and including Tuesday, 13 August. The airspace over Iran, Iraq and Israel will be avoided as well until 13 August.

We very much regret the inconvenience this may cause our passengers, but the safety of our passengers and crew always takes top priority. Affected passengers will be contacted directly. Of course, we offer free rebooking to a later date or a full refund of the ticket price.

We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site.

***

05.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #2: SWISS extends suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until 12 August

After further review, SWISS has decided to extend the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until Monday 12 August. In addition, SWISS will avoid all airspace over Iran until and including 7 August. This is SWISS's response to the latest developments in the Middle East.

The airspace over Israel and Iraq has not been flown over since last Friday. Flights to and from Beirut will remain suspended up to and including Monday 12 August.

We very much regret the inconvenience this may cause our passengers, but the safety of our passengers and crew always takes top priority. Affected passengers will be contacted directly. Of course, we offer free rebooking to a later date or a full refund of the ticket price.

We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site.

***

01.08.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #1: SWISS suspends flights to and from Tel Aviv until and including 08 August

SWISS is responding to the recent developments in the Middle East. After careful consideration, the airline has decided to suspend flights from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back (LX252 and LX253) until and including Thursday, 08 August. Flights to and from Beirut will also remain suspended until and including Monday, 12 August.

SWISS is in close communication with its staff in Tel Aviv and is offering them the opportunity to leave the country.

We deeply regret the inconvenience this may cause our passengers, but the safety of our passengers and crew always takes top priority. Affected passengers will be contacted directly. Of course, we offer free rebooking to a later date or a full refund of the ticket price.

We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on site.

***

29.04.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #8: SWISS plans to resume overflights over Iran and service to and from Beirut

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will return to using Iranian airspace for its overflights from this Wednesday 1 May onwards. SWISS also plans to resume its scheduled passenger services to and from Beirut from Saturday 4 May. The Lebanese capital will again receive twice-weekly SWISS service, on Tuesdays and on Saturdays.

These decisions have been taken in the light of a calming of the situation in both Beirut and Iran. After conducting thorough assessments, SWISS has concluded that safe flight operations can again be assured in the regions concerned.

We will continue to carefully monitor all developments, and we are in close contact with the corresponding authorities in Switzerland and the Middle East. We will also respond appropriately to any changes in the present situation. The safety of our passengers and our crews is always our paramount priority.

***

24.04.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #7: SWISS plans to resume its flights to Tel Aviv on 26 April

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is planning to resume its passenger flights to Tel Aviv. The main reason for the decision was that the current situation is much clearer than it was a week ago.

We are continuing to monitor developments very closely and are in close contact with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and locally. If necessary, we will react immediately to any changes in the situation. The safety of our crews and passengers is always our top priority.

Flights to and from Beirut will remain suspended up to and including 30 April. SWISS is offering its passengers travelling to/from Beirut the option of rebooking to a later date free of charge or a full refund of the ticket price. SWISS will also continue not to use Iranian airspace up to and including Tuesday, 30 April.

***

19.04.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #6: SWISS suspends flights to Tel Aviv until 25 April

SWISS has responded to the recent developments in the Middle East by suspending today's flights from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back (LX252 and LX253 on 19 April) so that their security experts could assess the situation.

After thorough evaluation, SWISS has decided to suspend its flights to the Israeli metropolis of Tel Aviv until Thursday 25 April. There are several reasons for this: The situation in the Middle East is evolving rapidly, requiring SWISS to react at short notice. Over the past few weeks, we have repeatedly cancelled flights at short notice. This has caused inconvenience for passengers who cannot find flights to Tel Aviv in time or miss their connections from Zurich. With this measure, we aim to provide stability, reliability, and predictability for passengers and flight crews.

We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and are contacting those booked on flights to Tel Aviv. We are of course offering them the option of rebooking free of charge for later dates or a full refund.

Flights to and from Beirut will remain suspended until Tuesday 30 April. SWISS is offering passengers travelling to/from Beirut the option of rebooking to a later date free of charge or of receiving a full refund. Additionally, SWISS will continue to avoid Iranian airspace until Tuesday 30 April.

The safety of our passengers and crews is always our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and liaising with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on the ground.

***

17.04.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #5: SWISS further suspends flights to Beirut

Following a further comprehensive analysis of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to suspend its flights to and from Beirut up to and including 30 April. SWISS is offering its passengers travelling to/from Beirut the option of free rebooking to a later date or a full refund of the ticket price.

SWISS will also continue not to use Iranian airspace up to and including Tuesday, 30 April.

The safety of our passengers and crews is always our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and liaising with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on the ground. Based on this, we will decide on the resumption of the currently suspended flights.

***

16.04.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #4: SWISS plans to resume its flights to Tel Aviv on 16 April

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is planning to resume its passenger flights to Tel Aviv. After analysing the situation in detail, SWISS has concluded that it can guarantee safe flight operations. The next flight will take place on Tuesday, 16 April.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will promptly make the necessary adjustments to our flight schedule should a change in the situation become apparent.

The safety of our employees and passengers is our top priority. We make all decisions about our flights with this in mind. We are also continuing to liaise closely with our employees on site to support them as best we can if necessary. We have also consulted with specialists throughout the Lufthansa Group and are joining a number of airlines that have resumed flight operations.

Flights to and from Beirut will remain suspended until Thursday 18 April. This applies specifically to the flight that was scheduled for Tuesday 16 April. Our aircraft will also avoid Iranian airspace until Thursday.

We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Middle East closely. Our specialists are evaluating all available information and liaising with the relevant authorities in Switzerland and on the ground.

***

14.04.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #3: SWISS suspends flights to Beirut up to and including 18 April

“Following the events of last night, we are relieved and thankful to report that our employees in Tel Aviv are safe and well,” says Oliver Buchhofer, Head of Operations at SWISS. SWISS has seven employees in Tel Aviv, who are responsible for servicing our aircraft and handling our flights. “We are in constant contact with our local personnel, and are looking into how we can best protect and support them should the situation deteriorate further,” Buchhofer continues. “At SWISS, the safety of our people and our passengers always has paramount priority.”

Following a recent thorough analysis of the situation in the Middle East, SWISS has decided to suspend its services to and from Beirut until (and including) Thursday 18 April. In concrete terms this affects the Zurich-Beirut flight scheduled for Tuesday 16 April. The airspace areas over Israel, Jordan and Iraq which were closed on the night of Saturday to Sunday have now been reopened by the countries concerned. As a result, our flights can now resume using these airspace areas.

SWISS will continue to avoid Iranian airspace until next Thursday. The reroutings concerned are currently adding up to 90 minutes to the flying times of SWISS services between Zurich and Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and Mumbai.

SWISS flight operations to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until and including Monday 15 April.

We continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East as closely as possible. Our specialists are constantly assessing all the available information, and are also in close and regular contact with all the relevant authorities both locally and in Switzerland. Any decision on whether and (if so) when to resume currently suspended flight operations will be taken on the basis of these activities.

We regret any inconvenience to our customers that these actions may entail. We are also actively contacting those customers who have already booked travel on the flights to and from Tel Aviv that have now been suspended. Needless to say, such customers will be able to rebook free of charge to a later travel date or have their ticket refunded in full.

***

14.04.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #2: SWISS reroutes flights

Following Iran's attack against Israeli territory, all SWISS aircraft are avoiding the airspaces of Iran, Iraq and Israel. As a result, flights from Delhi (LX147) and Singapore (LX177) to Zurich have longer routes to fly. Both flights will make a refuelling stopover in Vienna on their way to Zurich this morning. This means that they will arrive in Zurich with a delay of several hours. We are in constant contact with the pilots of all aircraft in the air and are providing the crews with information on an ongoing basis.

***

14.04.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #1: SWISS Tel Aviv services suspended until further notice

In view of the latest developments in the Middle East, we have decided to suspend SWISS flight operations to and from Tel Aviv until further notice. At SWISS, the safety of our crews and our passengers always has paramount priority.

SWISS has seven employees in Tel Aviv, who are responsible for servicing our aircraft and handling our flights. We are in constant contact with our local employees.

As many airspaces are closed due to the current situation, we are currently assessing to what extent flights that have already taken off need to be diverted.

We continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East as closely as possible. Our specialists are constantly assessing all the available information, and are also in close and regular contact with all the relevant authorities both locally and in Switzerland.

We regret any inconvenience to our customers that these actions may entail. We are also actively contacting those customers who have already booked travel on the flights to and from Tel Aviv that have now been suspended. Needless to say, such customers will be able to rebook free of charge to a later travel date or have their ticket refunded in full.

***

04.01.2024 Update SWISS: SWISS Flights to and from Beirut and Tel Aviv Proceed as Planned

Following a thorough analysis of the situation on the ground, SWISS has decided to operate the scheduled flight to and from Beirut on Saturday, January 6, 2024. SWISS continues to closely monitor and assess the situation in the conflict region and remains in close contact with local and international authorities. Two additional round-trip flights are scheduled until January 13, 2024. After that, in line with the original plan, SWISS will not operate the route during the winter months (until March 22, 2024).

Additionally, SWISS will resume its regular flight operations to Tel Aviv as planned starting next Monday, January 8, 2024. Five weekly direct flights between Zurich and Tel Aviv will be operated on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Safety is always SWISS’s top priority. Should conditions on the ground change, flight adjustments will be made immediately if necessary.

***

15.12.2024 SWISS Newsbrief #8: SWISS plans to resume its Tel Aviv services on 8 January

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) plans to resume its Tel Aviv services. From 8 January 2024, SWISS will offer five weekly non-stop flights between Zurich and Tel Aviv, which will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The flights will be performed with Airbus A320neo-family equipment. After an extensive analysis of the current situation, SWISS has concluded that flights can be safely operated to and from Tel Aviv. The resumed flights will be bookable from Monday 18 December.

SWISS will also resume flight operations to and from Beirut as planned on Saturday 16 December. The Lebanese capital will receive twice-weekly service, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The flights will be operated with Airbus A220 and A320-family aircraft. SWISS will continue to serve Beirut until 13 January 2024; service will then be suspended on the route for the further winter months (until 22 March 2024), as previously planned.

Safety is always SWISS’s paramount priority. SWISS will continue to closely monitor the situation in Israel, and is in close contact with the local and international authorities. Schedule adjustments in the light of any changed or changing conditions cannot be wholly ruled out.

Rebooking free of charge

SWISS customers who are affected by the cancellations until 15 December 2023 (Beirut) or 7 January 2024 (Tel Aviv) may rebook free of charge to a new travel date or, if they prefer, have the price of their ticket refunded in full. SWISS is also offering its customers who are booked on flights to or from Beirut for travel up to and including 31 December 2023 (on tickets issued on or before 12 October 2023) the option of having the price of their ticket refunded in full if they no longer wish to travel for personal reasons despite the resumption of the flights.

SWISS customers can initiate the ticket refund process themselves at swiss.com/refund. Alternatively, they may contact SWISS Customer Services to do so on +41 848 700 700. Travellers who have booked their SWISS flight via a travel agency or another third party are asked to contact their seller for ticket refund purposes.

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08.12.2023 Update SWISS: SWISS Resumes Flights to and from Beirut

SWISS will resume its regular flights to and from Beirut starting December 16, 2023. After a thorough analysis of the situation at the destination, SWISS has concluded that safe flight operations can be ensured. Beirut will be served until January 13, 2024, after which SWISS will not operate the route during the winter months (until March 22, 2024), as originally planned.

Flights to and from Beirut remain canceled until December 15, 2023, and flights to and from Tel Aviv remain canceled until January 7, 2024. SWISS continues to closely monitor the situation in the conflict region.

SWISS offers affected passengers, whose flights were canceled up to December 15, 2023 (Beirut) or January 7, 2024 (Tel Aviv), the option to rebook to a later travel date free of charge or to receive a full refund upon request. Additionally, we will fully refund flights to or from Beirut with travel dates up to and including December 31, 2023 (tickets issued by October 12, 2023), if passengers choose not to travel for personal reasons despite the resumption of flights.

Customers can initiate the refund process independently at swiss.com/refund. Alternatively, SWISS customer service is available at +41 848 700 700. Passengers who booked their tickets through a travel agency or another third-party provider are asked to contact them for the refund.

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20.10.2023 Update SWISS: SWISS continues to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv

Due to the unpredictable situation in Israel, SWISS will continue to suspend its regular flights to and from Tel Aviv at least until Tuesday, October 31, 2023. SWISS is closely monitoring the situation in Israel and is in close contact with the authorities. The safety of crew members and passengers is the top priority.

Affected passengers can have any tickets for the relevant flights during the period from October 7 to December 31, 2023, refunded free of charge, provided that the ticket was issued no later than October 7. The refund process can be initiated independently at swiss.com/refund. Alternatively, the SWISS customer service team is available at +41 848 700 700. Customers who booked their ticket through a travel agency or another third-party provider are asked to contact them for the refund.

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16.10.2023 SWISS Newsbrief #7: SWISS suspends services to and from Beirut

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has decided to suspend its scheduled services to and from Beirut, provisionally until 28 October, in view of the current situation in the Middle East and the present tensions on the Israel/Lebanon border.

The safety of its passengers and crews is always SWISS’s paramount priority. We are precisely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, and are also involving all the relevant specialists in these activities.

After carefully assessing the present situation in Lebanon, SWISS has resolved to suspend its scheduled services to and from Beirut, because an expansion of the current conflict cannot be ruled out. The decision means that the SWISS services to and from Beirut scheduled for 17, 19, 24 and 26 October have now been cancelled.

SWISS is informing the customers affected by these cancellations, and will refund their tickets in full. SWISS will continue to carefully assess all further developments. And any decision on whether and when to resume its services between Zurich and Beirut will be taken on the basis of such assessments.

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13.10.2023 SWISS Newsbrief #6: SWISS cancels special Tel Aviv flights previously planned for Saturday

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has cancelled the two special flights from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back which it had planned to operate on Saturday 14 October on behalf of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) at short notice.

The present ultimatum from the Israeli government will expire tomorrow (Saturday) at 07:00 CET. From this time onwards, the ground offensive announced by Israel can be expected. This would significantly raise the risk of a further escalation in hostilities, and would thus also increasingly endanger the safe and reliable performance of the special Saturday flights planned, their crews and their passengers. After careful consideration, SWISS has therefore concluded that the performance of such flights can no longer be warranted until further notice.

“We had made all our preparations for tomorrow’s two further special flights,” says SWISS Head of Operations Oliver Buchhofer. “It would have meant a great deal to us to be able to conduct them and bring more people back home. But in view of the intensifying and increasingly unpredictable safety and security situation in Israel, we have decided – with the heaviest of hearts – to cancel these flights. In taking this action now,” he continues, “we also wish to avoid having to do so tomorrow at short notice, leaving our passengers possibly stranded at Tel Aviv Airport and exposed to even greater risks. The safety of our employees and our passengers is always our paramount priority, and it is this to which we are constantly committed.”

SWISS is continuously monitoring the safety and operational situation in the conflict zone, and will continue to consider whether such special flights can be resumed at a later time. We will provide further updates on any such developments in cooperation with the FDFA.

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12.10.2023 SWISS Newsbrief #5: SWISS suspends flights to Tel Aviv until 22 October

The safety of its passengers and crew members is a top priority for SWISS. Due to the ongoing unclear situation in Israel and after an intensive analysis of the situation, Lufthansa Group airlines including SWISS have decided to suspend their regular flights to and from Tel Aviv until including 22 October. In addition, SWISS flights from Zurich to Tel Aviv are closed for sales until October 31 inclusive. SWISS regrets having to take this decision in this way. The airline is of course continuing to monitor the security situation in Israel closely and is in close contact with the authorities.

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12.10.2023 SWISS Newsbrief #4: SWISS to operate fourth special flight to Tel Aviv for FDFA on Friday

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will operate a fourth special flight from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back in cooperation with the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on Friday, October 13. This flight, too, is only bookable via a special phone hotline whose details have been communicated by the FDFA to Swiss nationals resident or currently in Israel.

Flight LX7354 will take off from Zurich at 11.00 and land in Tel Aviv at 16.00 local time. The return flight, LX7355, will depart at 17:00 and arrive in Zurich at 20:20. SWISS will operate the flight with an Airbus A321neo, which has 215 seats.

The second special flight landed on schedule at Zurich Kloten on Wednesday evening. On board were 210 adults/children and 5 babies. The third special flight is currently en route to Tel Aviv.

What distinguishes these special flights from scheduled flights

Although SWISS regularly flies to Tel Aviv, these special flights are fundamentally different from regular operations. Internal and external experts have to carry out a comprehensive security check of the situation on an ongoing basis, for which they are in close contact with the authorities. Until landing, they reassess the situation again and again, and only when it is deemed safe does the aircraft land. More fuel than usual is also carried on this flight in order to be prepared for possible diversionary landings. SWISS also ensures in advance that the ground handling processes in Tel Aviv run smoothly. Although the airport is open, it is organised differently than in peacetime. It must also be expected that ground staff will not be able to get to the airport through no fault of their own due to the uncertain situation. For this reason, an employee from the SWISS technical department is accompanying the flight from Zurich. He is travelling on an additional seat in the cockpit so that all seats can be allocated to passengers.

There is a reason why SWISS is not using its largest aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER: this type of aircraft is not normally used on this route and on these special flights there are many imponderables and many things that can hardly be planned. By using aircraft that also fly to Tel Aviv on regularly scheduled services, SWISS simplifies ground handling in Tel Aviv and thus ensures the highest possible stability on these extremely demanding flights. It also relieves the pressure on the ground staff, who are already under a great deal of pressure. Incidentally, these flights are operated exclusively by crew members who have volunteered to do so.

Many different employees from a wide range of departments at SWISS work with great commitment to ensure that these special flights are carried out smoothly and that Swiss people can return home.

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11.10.2023 SWISS Newsbrief #3: SWISS to operate third special Tel Aviv flight on Thursday for the FDFA

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will perform a further special flight from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back on Thursday 12 October in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). This flight, too, is only bookable via a special phone hotline whose details have been communicated by the FDFA to Swiss nationals resident or currently in Israel.

Flight LX 7354 of Thursday 12 October will depart from Zurich at 11:00 CET and arrive in Tel Aviv at 16:00 local time. The return westbound LX 7355 flight will depart from Tel Aviv at 17:00 local time, with arrival back in Zurich at 20:20 CET. Rostered for the rotation is an Airbus A321neo aircraft seating 215 passengers.

First special flight completed

SWISS’s first such special Tel Aviv flight landed back in Zurich on schedule yesterday (Tuesday) evening. On board were 214 adults and children and ten babies.

Ahead of the flight’s operation, SWISS had conducted a particularly comprehensive assessment of the safety and security situation. This was also constantly reappraised throughout the operation until the flight’s Zurich return.

“It means so much to us that we have been able to bring these Swiss nationals back home,” says Stefan-Kenan Scheib, who commanded this first special flight. “We were only able to do so, though, thanks to the exceptional efforts of everyone involved, from the planning through to the handling, and thanks not least to the outstanding commitment of our crew, all of whom had made themselves voluntarily available to perform this flight rotation.”

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10.10.2023 SWISS Newsbrief #2 CORRECTION

Please note that the flight times for the special flight between Zurich and Tel Aviv for tomorrow, 11 October, were regrettably incorrect. They are as follows.

Zurich-Tel Aviv: LX7354

Departing Zurich at 11:55, arriving Tel Aviv at 17:05.

Tel Aviv-Zurich: LX7355

Departing Tel Aviv at 18:05, arriving Zurich at 21:25

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10.10.2023 SWISS Newsbrief #2: SWISS to perform further special Tel Aviv flight on Wednesday for the FDFA

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is to operate a further special flight from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back on Wednesday 11 October in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The flight will offer Swiss nationals in Israel the opportunity of a prompt return to their home country.

This Wednesday flight, too, is only bookable via a special phone hotline whose details have been communicated by the FDFA to Swiss nationals resident or currently in Israel.

SWISS flight LX7354 will depart from Zurich at 07:55 CET and arrive in Tel Aviv at 12:05 local time. The return westbound LX7355 flight will depart from Tel Aviv at 13:05 local time, with arrival back in Zurich at 17:25 CET. Rostered for the flight is an Airbus A321neo aircraft seating 215 passengers.

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09.10.2023 SWISS Newsbrief #1: SWISS to conduct special Tel Aviv flight for FDFA on Tuesday 10 October

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will operate a special flight from Zurich to Tel Aviv and back in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on Tuesday 10 October. The flight is intended to offer Swiss nationals in Israel the opportunity of a prompt return to their home country.

SWISS flight LX 7354 will depart from Zurich at 12:15 CET and arrive in Tel Aviv at 17:20 local time. The return westbound LX 7355 flight will depart from Tel Aviv at 18:15 local time, with arrival back in Zurich at 21:35 CET. Rostered for the flight is an Airbus A321 seating 219 passengers. The flight is only bookable via a special phone hotline whose details have been communicated to Swiss nationals resident or currently in Israel.

Safety of passengers and crews is paramount priority

The safety of its passengers and crews is SWISS’s paramount priority. In view of the current situation in Israel, SWISS has cancelled all its scheduled services to and from Tel Aviv up to and including Saturday 14 October. We regret having to do so. We are monitoring developments closely and remain in close contact with the relevant authorities. The decision on whether and when to resume scheduled SWISS services between Switzerland and Israel will be taken on the basis thereof in due course.

Provisions eased for tickets to and from Tel Aviv

We fully understand the situation of the SWISS customers affected by the above flight cancellations, all of whom will have the price of their tickets fully refunded. SWISS customers who had been planning to travel between 7 and 22 October will also have the price of their ticket refunded provided it was issued on or before 7 October. Customers can initiate the refund process themselves via swiss.com/refund. Alternatively, SWISS Customer Services will be pleased to help them do so on +41 848 700 700. Customers who have purchased their ticket via a travel agency or any other third party are asked to contact the seller for their ticket refund.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) looks back on a successful autumn holiday period. Between 25 September and 18 October 2026, a total of 1,334,655 passengers travelled with SWISS. The airline operated 10,154 flights during this period. Compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, SWISS carried 1.5 per cent fewer passengers.

Improved punctuality

68 per cent of SWISS flights departed on time during the autumn holiday period. A flight is considered punctual if it departs no more than 15 minutes behind schedule. This represents an improvement of 3.7 percentage points compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. Operational stability also remained at a very high level of 98.2 per cent. This figure represents the proportion of flights actually operated compared to those scheduled twelve weeks in advance.

Oliver Buchhofer, Chief Operating Officer of SWISS, highlights the positive developments in operational performance: "Unlike the summer holiday period, the peak travel demand in autumn is concentrated within a relatively short period. This makes it all the more important that our operations run reliably, even when demand is high, and that our passengers reach their destinations as punctually as possible. The improvement in punctuality is the result of optimized processes that we have implemented together with our partners. The high level of operational stability also demonstrates that our operational system is fundamentally working well. This is very encouraging, and we intend to build on this progress."

London and New York particularly popular

Among European destinations, London Heathrow (LHR) topped the rankings during the autumn holiday period, followed by Palma de Mallorca (PMI) and Berlin (BER). On long-haul routes, destinations in the United States proved particularly popular. New York JFK (JFK) ranked first, followed by Chicago (ORD) and Boston (BOS).

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is expanding its summer 2027 schedule across Europe and Asia. The airline of Switzerland is adding Toulouse to its route network. From 25 June to 23 August 2027, SWISS will connect Zurich with the southern French metropolis twice weekly.

Toulouse is one of Europe's most important aerospace and innovation hubs and a major business and research location. The "Ville Rose" is renowned for its distinctive pink brick architecture, vibrant streets and diverse culinary scene. It also serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the Occitanie region, its picturesque villages and the nearby Pyrenees.

More flights to popular destinations in Europe

Europe remains in strong demand among SWISS customers. The airline is therefore further expanding its offering on selected routes. Paris will be served 30 times per week instead of 28, while Nice will increase from 32 to 34 weekly flights. SWISS will also increase frequencies to Hamburg, Budapest and Bremen.

SWISS is also expanding its service to Niš in Serbia. Following the route's reintroduction in summer 2026, the airline will now operate flights to Niš throughout the entire summer season and increase frequencies from two to three flights per wee

Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS: “A strong route network is built on the right connections to the destinations that matter most to our customers. With our 2027 summer schedule, we are taking the next step and selectively expanding our network where we can create the greatest value.”

Bengaluru remains part of the summer schedule

Asia is another key focus of the summer 2027 schedule. SWISS will continue operating its new service to Bengaluru, one of Asia's leading technology and innovation hubs, throughout summer 2027. The route will be introduced in the winter 2026/27 timetable and strengthens Switzerland's direct connectivity to a dynamic growth market. At the same time, it offers attractive travel opportunities for business travellers and customers visiting family and friends.

SWISS is also expanding its services to Tokyo. Until the end of May and again in October, the airline will operate daily flights from Zurich to the Japanese capital. Between June and September, frequencies will increase from five to six weekly flights compared with the previous summer schedule.

“Switzerland thrives on strong international connections. We build bridges for our customers and internationally active Swiss companies to key markets, thereby contributing to value creation in Switzerland,” says SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger. “We continue to see strong demand across Asia. With Bengaluru and additional flights to Tokyo, we are strengthening our links to two important business and innovation hubs.”

SWISS is also expanding its service to Montreal. During summer 2027, the route will be operated daily instead of five times per week.

95 destinations from Zurich

The summer 2027 timetable will run from 28 March to 30 October 2027. SWISS will serve 95 destinations from Zurich, two more than in summer 2026. The schedule comprises 69 European and 26 intercontinental destinations.

SWISS is also expanding its offering from Geneva. As decisions on certain available airport slots are still pending, further details regarding the summer 2027 schedule from Geneva will be announced in the coming days.

Further information on SWISS’s route network is available here.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has won the title of “Europe’s Leading Airline – Business Class” at the 2026 World Travel Awards. The airline also received this distinction last year. The latest award highlights the continued success of SWISS Business in the European market.

The World Travel Awards are among the best-known honors in the international travel and tourism industry. Each year, travel industry professionals and travelers from around the world vote to select the winners.

“We are extremely pleased to receive this award for the second consecutive year. It recognizes, in particular, the dedication of our employees, whose hospitality and personal service help ensure that our guests feel well taken care of, both on the ground and in the air, every single day,” says Stefan Vasic, Head of Guest Experience, Brand Management & Marketing at SWISS. “This award makes us proud and, at the same time, motivates us to keep improving the experience we offer our guests. With SWISS Senses, we are creating a new long-haul travel experience with greater comfort, privacy and more opportunities for personalization. People remain at the heart of everything we do: our guests, with their individual needs, and our employees, whose personal service makes all the difference.”

SWISS continues to enhance its Business Class experience

Whether on short-haul or long-haul flights, SWISS Business combines personal service with a high level of travel comfort. At the airport, guests benefit from priority services and lounge access. On board, they enjoy high-quality culinary offerings, attentive service and a cabin product designed around comfort and the diverse needs of travelers.

With SWISS Senses, SWISS is further enhancing the long-haul travel experience across all cabin classes, from SWISS Economy to SWISS First. The new SWISS Business features state-of-the-art seat technology, a variety of seating options and greater privacy. Whether guests prefer a particularly quiet environment, additional space or an extra-long bed, they can tailor their travel experience more closely to their personal preferences. The new cabin is complemented by enhanced service concepts.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has been awarded Gold at the Best of Content Marketing (BCM) Awards in Hamburg. The A350 special edition of SWISS Magazine won the Best of Corporate Print Award 2026 in the category “B2C Tourism, Travel, Lifestyle & Fashion”. The BCM Awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions for corporate media in the German-speaking world.

A special edition for a special aircraft

The award-winning inflight magazine was published in 2025 to mark the introduction of the first Airbus A350 to the SWISS fleet. For this special occasion, SWISS Magazine returned on board in print. Until the end of 2026, the edition will be available to guests in every seat pocket aboard the Airbus A350 and in the magazine racks of SWISS’s other long-haul aircraft.

The special edition follows the new long-haul aircraft from its production in Toulouse to its arrival at SWISS. At its heart are the people who worked on the fleet introduction over many years. Their stories show just how many steps are involved before a new long-haul aircraft can take to the skies for SWISS.

“A project close to our hearts”

“Digital is the standard today. And that is precisely why print is premium to me: it is high-quality, tangible and something that people consciously take time for rather than simply swiping or scrolling. This magazine is a project close to our hearts. I am especially proud of my team. Alongside their fast-paced and demanding day-to-day work, they found the stories and topics, researched them and brought them to life. Together with many colleagues throughout SWISS, they created something truly special,” says Léa Wertheimer, Head of Corporate Communications at SWISS.

Zurich-based agency Raffinerie developed the design concept and was responsible for the visual execution of the edition.

SWISS to celebrate its anniversary with a new special edition in 2027

SWISS Magazine has accompanied the airline and its guests since SWISS was founded in 2002. The regular printed edition was discontinued in summer 2022. Since 2023, the digital SWISS Magazine has continued to tell the airline’s stories at swiss.com/magazine. The Airbus A350 special edition marked the magazine’s return to print in 2025.

The year 2027 will be a special one for SWISS. Various activities are planned throughout the year to mark the airline’s 25th anniversary. These will include a new printed special edition of SWISS Magazine. It will tell stories from 25 years of SWISS, profile the people behind the airline and look ahead to what lies ahead. Work on the first stories is already under way.

Watch the award film and discover the award-winning edition here: SWISS Magazine

During the Career Days (Berufstage) at Zurich Airport from 2 to 8 November, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), together with Zurich Airport Ltd., invites visitors to discover the world of aviation. At information events and guided tours, visitors can meet employees from various areas, ask questions and learn more about training, entry-level and career opportunities. The program is aimed both at school students considering their future career options and at experienced professionals looking for a new direction or interested in getting to know SWISS and other companies at Zurich Airport as potential employers.

Anyone who initially associates an airline primarily with the cockpit and cabin is seeing only part of its professional world. Technicians look after the aircraft, specialists coordinate daily flight operations, and numerous other employees help ensure that SWISS can transport its guests safely and reliably to their destinations.

Experience aviation instead of just dreaming about it

A special program on Saturday, 7 November, is aimed at young people aged 13 to 17. At the SWISS Experience Day, they will learn about careers as automation technicians, polymechanics, pilots and cabin crew members, while also getting the chance to experience aviation first-hand. Participants will see an aircraft up close in the hangar and visit the Operations Center. Along the way, they will discover the wide variety of roles involved in running an airline and meet some of the people behind them.

After all, dreaming of the wider world does not necessarily mean sitting in an aircraft cockpit yourself: aviation offers many different ways to help others take to the skies.

SWISS events at a glance:

Wednesday, 4 November 2026

• SWISS «Dream Job Pilot» Info Event: 16:00 - 20:00, Zurich Airport
• SWISS New Talents Info Event: 16:30 - 18:00, online via Teams

Thursday, 5 November 2026

• SWISS Pilot Info Event, focus on training: 17:00 - 19:30, SWISS Headquarters, Obstgartenstrasse 27, Kloten
• SWISS Cabin Crew Info Event: 17:30 - 19:00, Zurich Airport

Saturday, 7 November 2026

• SWISS Job Meet & Greet: 09:00 - 18:00, Zurich Airport
• SWISS Experience Day, Group 1: 09:00 - 13:00, Operations Center and hangar
• SWISS Experience Day, Group 2: 14:00 - 18:00, Operations Center and hangar

At the Career Days at Zurich Airport, companies including SWISS, Swissport, Gate Gourmet and Skyguide will also provide insights into their areas of activity and the diverse career opportunities within the aviation industry.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is gradually introducing satellite-based internet connection on board. The Starlink technology will provide guests with fast and reliable internet throughout their journey, from gate to gate. The internet service will be available free of charge for Miles & More members and Travel ID users, across all travel classes. Guests will be able to send messages, share photos and use a wide range of online services.

The offering is being introduced across the Lufthansa Group under the name «Lufthansa Group Wi-Fi powered by Starlink». At SWISS, the first aircraft to be equipped with the new technology is an Airbus A320neo. The aircraft, registered HB-JDM and named «Iseltwald», will enter scheduled service on 28 September 2026. Its first flight will operate as LX1852 from Zurich to Thessaloniki.

Expanding fast, reliable connectivity onboard SWISS

Soon, SWISS will equip three aircraft from the Airbus A320 family with the new internet connectivity. The installation will then continue gradually across the fleet. By end of 2029, the entire SWISS fleet is expected to be equipped with the new technology.

The new internet service is another step in enhancing the travel experience for our guests. With «Lufthansa Group Wi‑Fi powered by Starlink», connectivity will become even faster, more reliable and available across the entire SWISS fleet.

Simple guidelines for onboard use

To ensure that everyone feels comfortable on board, a few simple rules also apply when using the new internet connection. Guests watching videos or listening to audio content are kindly asked to use headphones and pay attention to crew announcements. Voice and video calls are not permitted as is broadcasting live content during the flight. Guests sharing photos, videos or other content from the aircraft should respect the privacy of other passengers and crew.

How Starlink technology works

How does a message sent from an aircraft high above the clouds reach a smartphone on the ground? Our latest story in the SWISS Magazine follows its journey from a passenger seat into space and back to Earth in a matter of seconds.

The Airbus A350-900 with the registration HB-IFC is the third aircraft of its type to join the Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) fleet, following “Lausanne” (HB-IFA) and “Delémont” (HB-IFB). With its arrival, SWISS is continuing the renewal of its long-haul fleet. From October, the A350 will be deployed on services between Zurich and Shanghai and between Zurich and Johannesburg. SWISS will add a total of ten Airbus A350-900s to its fleet by 2030.

More “SWISS Senses” on long-haul services

Like the first two A350s, “Zug” features the new “SWISS Senses” cabin, offering guests a new travel experience in all four classes of travel – First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class. “With our third A350, we are taking another visible step forward in the modernization of our long-haul fleet. I am particularly pleased that this will enable more and more of our guests to experience our new SWISS Senses product. ‘Zug’ embodies exactly what we aim to achieve with our fleet renewal: greater comfort for our guests and a modern, more efficient fleet,” says Oliver Buchhofer, Chief Operating Officer of SWISS.

A330 fleet also being modernized

In parallel with the introduction of the new Airbus A350s, SWISS is also modernizing its existing long-haul fleet. The first Airbus A330-300 is currently being fitted with the new “SWISS Senses” cabin in Hong Kong. This marks the start of a multi-year retrofit program under which all SWISS Airbus A330-300s will gradually be refurbished.

The entire A330 fleet is scheduled to feature the new cabin by mid-2028. As a result, “SWISS Senses” will gradually become available across an increasing proportion of the SWISS long-haul fleet, enabling more and more guests to experience the new cabin product.

For many years, the Airbus A340-300 was a defining feature of the SWISS long-haul fleet, connecting Switzerland with destinations around the world. With its four engines, distinctive silhouette and role as a reliable backbone of long-haul operations, it became a familiar symbol of the SWISS fleet for many travellers and employees. As the last four-engined aircraft type in the SWISS fleet, the A340 also marks the end of an era at SWISS.

Once its operational life comes to an end, one of these iconic long-haul aircraft is now intended to be preserved in Switzerland: SWISS and the Swiss Museum of Transport aim to permanently integrate the last Airbus A340-300 from the SWISS fleet into the museum’s aviation exhibition in Lucerne.

Martin Ettlinger, Director of the Swiss Museum of Transport: “Having an Airbus A340 at the Swiss Museum of Transport represents a unique opportunity to preserve an important piece of Swiss aviation history and make it accessible to the public. This majestic aircraft would be a tremendous addition to our Aviation and Space Travel exhibition. The A340-300 fits perfectly into the outdoor area designated for it in front of the Aviation and Space Travel Hall. Bringing an aircraft of this size to Lucerne, however, is an enormous and highly complex undertaking. We are doing everything we can, together with SWISS and other partners, to make this extraordinary project possible.”

A gift for Switzerland

SWISS intends to donate the last Airbus A340-300 in its fleet to the Swiss Museum of Transport. The aim is to preserve an aircraft that for many years symbolized Switzerland’s international connectivity and played a major role in shaping the history of SWISS and Swiss long-haul aviation.

Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS: “For many years, the Airbus A340 connected people in Switzerland with the world and, in doing so, became a piece of Swiss aviation history in its own right. If one of these aircraft can live on at the Swiss Museum of Transport, it would bring this story full circle in a very special way. Our goal is therefore clear: we want to bring this A340 to Lucerne in early 2028. The task now is to work with our many partners to make its extraordinary journey there possible.”

A new highlight for the Swiss Museum of Transport

The A340 is not simply intended to be placed in the courtyard of the Swiss Museum of Transport as a static exhibit. The aim is to create a multifaceted experience inside the aircraft and present it as a new highlight of the Aviation and Space Travel exhibition.

The museum already has a former four-engined Swissair long-haul aircraft in its collection: the Convair 990 “Coronado”. The Airbus A340-300 would add another important witness to aviation history. As the last four-engined aircraft type in the SWISS fleet, the A340 represents a significant era in Swiss long-haul aviation.

A logistical feat requiring perfect teamwork

Bringing a long-haul aircraft weighing around 125 tons to the Swiss Museum of Transport involves far more than an ordinary transport operation. It is a major logistical and technical undertaking. The A340 must make its way from Zurich Airport to Lucerne, be positioned with precision on the museum grounds and permanently integrated into the existing exhibition. Meeting the highly demanding technical and logistical requirements will require detailed feasibility studies, specialized transport solutions, structural modifications and close coordination with the relevant authorities.

The project is also financially ambitious. SWISS will donate the aircraft to the Swiss Museum of Transport. The museum will bear the costs of transporting the aircraft, the necessary structural work and the creation of the visitor experience inside the aircraft. Current estimates put the cost at a high single-digit million amount. Financing must be secured by the end of 2026 and is expected to come largely from third-party funding provided by foundations, patrons and companies. A fundraising committee, with the active involvement of Christoph Franz, President of the Swiss Museum of Transport Association and former CEO of SWISS, is already holding discussions with potential supporters.

It has therefore not yet been decided whether the A340 will actually be able to embark on its final journey to Lucerne. A definitive decision will only be made once transportation, permits and financing have been secured. The Swiss Museum of Transport and SWISS will provide further information on the next steps as soon as the ongoing assessments have progressed further.

Further information: www.verkehrshaus.ch/a340

With the introduction of Pre-Select in SWISS Economy, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is further expanding its meal pre-selection offerings. Through the SWISS Culinary Journey on swiss.com/menu and in the SWISS app, guests can explore their flight’s food and beverage offerings in advance and select their preferred main course. Those who pre-order their meal are guaranteed to receive their chosen main course on board.

Well-established in other travel classes

Since 2022, our guests in SWISS First and SWISS Business have been enjoying Pre-Select and a wide selection of meals. Since December 2025, guests in SWISS Premium Economy are also able to pre-select from three meals. Demand is growing: We receive about 1,000 pre-orders every day. The bestseller is the «Zürcher Geschnetzelte». Guests have selected it nearly 42,000 times so far.

SWISS Business guests also benefit from Pre-Select on short-haul flights. Especially on routes such as Zurich-Düsseldorf or Zurich-London, where there is no menu selection on board, our guests can choose from up to eight meals online every day.

SWISS Economy passengers on short-haul flights can also pre-order their preferred dish from the SWISS Saveurs menu. This entitles them to a 10 percent discount off the original price.

With the introduction of Pre-Select in SWISS Economy, SWISS is now among the airlines with one of the most comprehensive Pre-Select offerings worldwide.

Starting 2 September, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will serve culinary creations from the Canton of Schaffhausen on its long-haul flights departing Switzerland for the next three months. The dishes have been created by the culinary trio Alejandro Perez Polo, Dan Rodriguez Zaugg, and Katiuska Villalba Paredes from Villa Sommerlust. Situated on the banks of the Rhine and just a few minutes from Schaffhausen’s Old Town, the charming restaurant is the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the canton. In the beautifully restored 17th-century villa, the three chefs have developed a culinary concept for SWISS that combines strong regional roots with an openness to cuisines from around the world.

Heike Birlenbach, Chief Customer Officer at SWISS: “Just like travel, culinary creations tell stories of their own. The culinary trio at Villa Sommerlust combines classic craftsmanship with fresh ideas, taking our guests on a culinary journey that begins in Schaffhausen and extends far beyond Switzerland’s borders. I am delighted that our guests will be able to experience their distinctive culinary signature on board of SWISS over the next three months.”

Alejandro Perez Polo, Head Chef at Villa Sommerlust: “Our cuisine thrives on the interplay of different ideas, cultures, and experiences. For our menus on board of SWISS, we wanted to reinterpret regional ingredients and combine them with influences from around the world. It is a special honor for us to now serve these dishes to an international audience.”

First Class: catalan fish soup, beef short rib bourguignon, and caramel flan

In First Class, the culinary journey begins with prawn salad with spicy corn soup, followed by Catalan fish soup with clams, red snapper, and mojo rojo. For the main course, guests can choose, among other options, between beef short rib bourguignon with mustard jus and fried bacon crumble, served with truffled parsnip purée, or lobster and scallops with goat cheese beurre blanc. To finish on a sweet note, guests can enjoy caramel flan with caramelized popcorn and espresso ice cream.

Business Class: smoked salmon tartare, hake, and pistachio tartlet

In Business Class, guests can start, among other options, with smoked salmon tartare with Andalusian gazpacho, kimchi mayonnaise, and quail egg. Main course options include beef short rib with mustard jus and mojo verde, Anna potatoes, and sautéed baby zucchini, or hake with green sauce, fried rice, and furikake. For dessert, guests can enjoy a pistachio tartlet with berries and pistachio crumble.

Premium Economy Class: Fleischvogel, regional cheese specialties, and chestnut cake

The three-course menu in Premium Economy Class is also inspired by Switzerland. Guests can enjoy “Fleischvogel,” a beef roulade stuffed with vegetables, served with polenta bramata and glazed chestnut. SWISS also serves regional cheese specialties such as “Holzhofer” and “Tannhütte Chäsli” with Swiss pear bread. For a sweet finish, guests can enjoy chestnut cake with vanilla whipped cream.

By late afternoon, we had been forced to cancel a total of 85 flights that were scheduled to operate from or to Zurich today. Around 11,200 of our passengers are affected, which we deeply regret. Numerous other flights are experiencing delays of up to three hours, and in individual cases even longer. We currently cannot rule out further flight cancellations over the course of the evening.

Oliver Buchhofer, Chief Operating Officer of SWISS:

“Thousands of passengers are bearing the consequences of an extraordinarily difficult operational situation today. Our shared goal now must be to reduce these impacts as quickly as possible. This requires close coordination among all system partners and a willingness to make consistent use of the operational options available to us. SWISS, Zurich Airport and Skyguide share a responsibility here toward our passengers.”

SWISS flight operations continue to be significantly affected by the current weather conditions. Repeated thunderstorms and lightning in the region have led to several so-called “handling stops” at Zurich Airport today. During these stops, work on the apron must be temporarily suspended for safety reasons. During this time, aircraft cannot, among other things, be loaded or unloaded, refueled or prepared for their next flight.

Delays build up toward the evening

The thunderstorms are at times severely restricting the number of possible takeoffs and landings. In addition, there are significantly longer taxi times at the airport as well as weather-related restrictions in Swiss airspace and in the airspace of neighboring countries, including Germany and France.

The effects of these restrictions accumulate throughout the day: If one flight is delayed, the subsequent flight scheduled to be operated by the same aircraft will also depart later. Toward the evening, more and more of these delays that have built up throughout the day converge and create an operational bottleneck.

SWISS covers costs for passengers

We are very aware that behind the approximately 11,200 affected passengers are just as many travel plans that are not unfolding as planned today. As usual in such situations, we as the airline cover all necessary costs incurred by our passengers. These include hotel accommodations until the next available onward flight, meals in the meantime, as well as necessary taxi rides or phone calls.

Our passengers can subsequently submit the relevant receipts to our Customer Service team. We will then take care of reimbursing these costs as quickly and straightforwardly as possible.

Teams working at full speed

Our employees continue to do everything they can to keep flight operations as stable as possible under these difficult conditions. Numerous teams are working at full speed to mitigate the impact on our passengers as much as possible – work that will continue well into the night.

Together with Skyguide and Zurich Airport, we hope to gradually stabilize the situation over the course of the evening, and we thank our passengers for their patience and understanding.

***

28.08.2026 SWISS Newsbrief: Flight operations during severe weather

Due to the weather conditions, we have so far had to cancel 27 flights to and from Zurich scheduled for today. This affects around 3,100 of our passengers, which we very much regret. Some of the flights we are operating today are experiencing significant delays of up to three hours. Unfortunately, we currently have to assume that, depending on how the weather situation develops, we may have to cancel further flights over the course of the day.

Strong thunderstorm cells repeatedly moving across Switzerland and the Zurich region are currently having a significant impact on our flight operations at Zurich Airport. Lightning strikes are repeatedly being recorded in the vicinity of the airport. In such situations, work on the apron must be temporarily suspended for safety reasons.

In concrete terms, this means that during a so-called “handling stop,” employees must leave the apron and keep their distance from aircraft and other metal structures. During this time, aircraft cannot, for example, be loaded or unloaded, refueled, or prepared for their next flight.

Ground operations therefore largely come to a standstill. Even if such a stop lasts only for a limited period of time, it causes delays that can continue to have an impact throughout the rest of the day. At the same time, the weather conditions around the airport can significantly restrict the number of possible takeoffs and landings.

We are very aware of what this means for our passengers. Anyone who needs to make a connecting flight or whose travel plans are suddenly disrupted needs a great deal of patience. This is frustrating and stressful. Our employees are working tirelessly to keep operations as stable as possible, ensure connections wherever possible, and limit the impact on our passengers.

We also provide a more in-depth explanation of why thunderstorms can have such a significant impact on an airport and why handling stops are necessary in our SWISS Magazine: “When everything comes to a standstill at the airport”

As part of the planned replacement of Dock A at Zurich Airport, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will relocate its SWISS Business and Senator Lounges from Dock A to a newly constructed building on the southern side of Dock B. Each of the two lounges will occupy an entire floor. Together, they will offer around 2,600 square meters of space, approximately 20 percent more than the current lounges.

The new lounges will feature spacious seating areas with an open layout and plenty of natural light thanks to a fully glazed window front. Guests will benefit from more opportunities to relax and work, a quiet and high-quality lounge experience, and unique panoramic views of the apron, runways and the Alps. Once the new lounges open in the first quarter of 2027, the existing SWISS Business and Senator Lounges as well as the SWISS Alpine Lounge in Dock A will close.

“With the new lounges, we are specifically investing in our guests’ travel experience at our home airport in Zurich,” says Heike Birlenbach, Chief Customer Officer of SWISS. “More space, with dedicated areas for working and relaxing, combined with open views of airport operations, will provide comfort and a distinctive sense of Switzerland.”

More space and distinctive features

The new lounges will offer eligible travelers even more space and comfort. Both areas will feature additional seating and around 20 fully soundproofed workstations in total. In the SWISS Senator Lounge, a bar directly along the window front will provide a 180-degree view of Runway 34, the apron and the mountains. A wine humidor and a dedicated maturation room for selected cheeses and cured meats will complement the offering.

The bus gates will be located directly below the lounge building. For some guests, this will shorten the distance to the boarding gates.

Due to the upcoming modernization work at the airport, SWISS also expects to relocate its SWISS First and HON Circle Lounge from Dock A to Dock B in 2028. Further details will be announced in due course.

More information about the new SWISS Lounges is available on swiss.com under Lounges, with high-resolution images available in the SWISS Media Gallery.

The cockpit crew of flight LX9 from Chicago to Zurich decided this morning to divert to Lajes Airport on the Azores island of Terceira. The reason was a pungent odor in the Economy Class cabin that could not initially be identified. The aircraft was approximately halfway across the Atlantic at the time.

In a situation like this, our crews take no risks and make the precautionary decision to land at a suitable airport. In coordination with the responsible air traffic control authorities, an emergency was also declared to ensure that the aircraft was given the appropriate priority in the airspace.

The aircraft, a Boeing 777 with the registration HB-JNF, landed safely on Terceira at 6:30 a.m. local time without any further incident. It was subsequently able to taxi off the runway under its own power. All 222 passengers as well as the crew left the aircraft normally. In addition to the passengers, there were 16 crew members on board, including two pilots and 14 cabin crew members.

Around five passengers and one crew member underwent precautionary medical examinations after landing, having briefly experienced symptoms such as eye irritation, nausea or headaches. The well-being of our passengers and crew is our top priority. None of those affected required any further medical attention. All of these passengers were also able to leave the aircraft normally.

We are aware that a diversion of this kind can be unsettling for our passengers and cause uncertainty. It is therefore all the more important to us to continue providing them with the best possible care and to enable them to continue their journey to Zurich as quickly as possible.

We have already scheduled a replacement flight from Zurich to Terceira and back for this purpose. It is expected to depart Zurich at around 1:00 p.m. today and pick up our passengers and crew on Terceira. The replacement flight is scheduled to arrive in Zurich at 10:15 p.m. this evening.

At this time, we cannot say with certainty what caused the pungent odor in the Economy Class cabin. Our experts will thoroughly inspect the aircraft. We ask for your understanding that we will not speculate about possible causes until these investigations have been completed.

As a result of the replacement aircraft deployment, today's flight LX8 from Zurich to Chicago and the subsequent return flight from Chicago to Zurich scheduled to be operated by the same aircraft have to be canceled. We sincerely regret the inconvenience this causes our passengers and are arranging alternative travel options for those affected.

Summer 2026 brought a renewed peak to flight operations at Zurich Airport, amid challenging conditions that included unusual weather conditions, airspace restrictions and geopolitical conflicts. The demand for mobility remains consistently high: some 3,334,827 travelers used Zurich Airport in July alone, an increase of 2.4 percent on the same month last year. SWISS transported 1.75 million passengers over the course of the month. Between the end of June and the middle of August SWISS carried just under three million passengers – 3.4 percent fewer than in the prior-year period – on a total of 22,160 flights. Zurich Airport’s busiest day in this year’s summer season was Sunday 2 August, when 121,981 travelers passed through the airport. Almost 62,000 of these were traveling with SWISS.

SWISS’s most popular destinations in this year’s summer holiday season were New York, Chicago and Boston on its long-haul network and London, Berlin and Palma de Mallorca within Europe. Among all the airlines operating from Zurich, Dallas, Istanbul and Delhi showed particularly strong passenger growth. In July, 27.3 percent of travelers connected in Zurich onto onward flights; so almost three quarters of all passengers started or ended their travels in Switzerland.

Working together for greater operating stability

To help keep flight operations needed to handle this summer’s high Zurich travel volumes as stable and punctual as possible, airport operator Zurich Airport Ltd., SWISS and the other airport partners continued to consistently take the measures they had adopted last year, and refined these further. These measures include ensuring the provision of sufficient personnel and a shared data basis for managing operations.

One tool that has proved particularly valuable here is the Airport Operations Plan (AOP), which is now in its third year of deployment. The AOP gives some 7,400 users within the airport system mobile access to real-time information on a wide range of issues ranging from changes of departure gates to the latest weather developments. The AOP thus provides all system partners with the same shared information base, which enables them to take prompt and coordinated action in response to operational developments.

Many challenges originate outside of Zurich

Meteorological events (like the exceptionally severe thunderstorms experienced at the end of June), the geopolitical situation, bottlenecks in Europe’s air navigation services and new regulatory requirements all have their impact on flight operations and punctuality. This makes it all the more vital that the partners at Zurich Airport make full and consistent use of their own operational levers and further enhance their collaboration.

July departure punctuality for Zurich Airport as a whole stood at 56 percent, a five-percentage-point improvement on the same month last year. The airport’s year-to-date departure punctuality now amounts to 66 percent. SWISS incurred substantially more flight diversions and cancellations than it had last year over the peak summer period.

“This summer tested us all to the limits,” says SWISS Chief Operating Officer Oliver Buchhofer. “Our people and our partners really helped us get through it, and for this I offer them my sincere thanks. But, while we were still often able to save the situation on each operating day, an overall punctuality performance of 58.7 percent and an operating stability of 97.1 percent are just not what we aim to achieve. We cannot and will not be satisfied with this. We know where we need to improve. And we’ll be tackling the task together.”

Trusted processes and close collaboration

The processes and procedures for passengers at Zurich Airport proved efficient on the whole. Modernized and digitalized services offer passengers greater independence and flexibility when checking in and dropping off their checked baggage. At Zurich’s centralized security checkpoint, all the new CT scanners could be put into operation in time for the summer holiday peak. Passengers thus now benefit from simplified security check procedures and far more comfort and convenience if they have liquids or electronic devices in their carry-on baggage. Some 90 percent of all passengers spend less than six minutes waiting at the security checkpoint, a figure which is in line with the target waiting times here. The airport’s border control is sometimes seeing longer waits, though this is attributable to the recent adoption of a new EU system which records the biometric data of third-country nationals.

Stefan Tschudin, Chief Operation Officer Zurich Airport Ltd.: “The results of this summer show that our investments and measures are having an impact. From our perspective as the airport operator, we can look back on encouragingly stable operations. We remain committed to continuously optimizing our operational processes. What is important now, however, is that the medium- and long-term structural measures also take effect, as these will have a greater impact.” Once again, all the people at Zurich Airport Ltd., SWISS and their further Zurich Airport partners were instrumental in meeting and mastering the challenges of summer airport operations. Only when the interplay of the around 300 airport partners is assured can operations be effectively maintained throughout the year’s busiest travel period.

Further strengthening stability in the longer term

As a key air travel hub, Zurich Airport is particularly dependent on having effective interactions among all its parties and partners. Waves of flights from all over Europe descend on the airport several times a day and depart again shortly after to destinations worldwide. This interlinking of short- and long-haul services gives Switzerland a comprehensive network of non-stop air connections all over the globe. At the same time, these closely coordinated connections via the Zurich Airport hub make its operational punctuality and stability all the more essential.

In the medium and long term, further improvements to infrastructure and operating concepts will be another important lever. This should include extending Runways 28 and 32 and actions to separate routes and make more efficient use of the existing runway system, both of which are part of the changes to the airport’s operating regulations (BR2014/2017). The aim in all these endeavors is to sustainably further improve the stability and punctuality of the airport’s flight operations, especially during exceptional weather conditions such as fog, easterly winds or winds from the west.

Further insights into Zurich Airport’s flight operations on the ‘Startklar’ podcast
Listening tip: Oliver Buchhofer and Stefan Tschudin discuss flight operations and the punctuality issue at Zurich Airport (in German) on Flughafen Zürich’s ‘Startklar’ podcast.

• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple Podcasts

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is adjusting its fleet in Geneva. For the 2027 summer timetable, the airline will operate two Airbus A320neos instead of two Airbus A220-300s. While the A220-300 offers 145 seats, the A320neo has capacity for 180 passengers.

More seats on an important route

SWISS will deploy the two Airbus A320neos on its Geneva–London Heathrow route. This is one of the most in-demand routes from Geneva. The aircraft change will create additional capacity on the route and further strengthen SWISS’s offering for travelers.

“This sends a strong signal for our Geneva base,” says SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger. “We want to secure our position in Geneva for the long term and continue to strengthen it with targeted measures. An attractive, demand-oriented and profitable route network plays a decisive role in this.”

SWISS will finalize the operational details for its 2027 summer timetable over the coming weeks. The summer timetable will be in effect from 28 March to 30 October 2027.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved an operating result or Adjusted EBIT of CHF 189.3 million for the first six months of 2026. The result represents a decline of 3.0 percent on the CHF 195.1 million of the prior-year period. Total first-half revenues amounted to CHF 2.77 billion, up 3.2 percent on the prior-year period (H1 2025: CHF 2.69 billion).

A challenging environment with strong cost pressures

“We met the extraordinary challenges with which we were confronted over the last few months well,” says SWISS CFO Dennis Weber. “But the substantial rises in fuel costs significantly depressed our earnings, despite the hedges we held. Between April and June, fuel costs increased by around 50 percent. Fuel is our single largest cost item. Crucially, however, the savings and efficiency measures that we initiated at an early stage are already having an impact, and are helping us to at least partially mitigate the higher jet fuel prices. If it had not been for these, we would have reported a steeper year-on-year first-half earnings decline.”

“Fuel price trends are beyond our control,” Weber continues. “So it’s all the more vital that we take consistent care of our costs in all those areas in which we are not solely exposed to market developments.”

SWISS’s earnings also continue to be eroded by high maintenance costs, such as those deriving from the already documented problems with the engines on parts of its short-haul aircraft fleet.

On a positive note, earnings continue to be buoyed by still-strong customer demand and higher yields.

“We were pleased to see favorable trends in both our yields and our load factors in the first-half period,” CFO Weber confirms. “Demand for our premium travel classes on our long-haul routes in particular remained encouragingly high, and helped bolster our earnings for the period. But this strong travel demand and our rigorous cost discipline were still not enough to fully offset the adverse effects of the higher fuel prices.”

SWISS also benefited from an unusual situation in certain markets in the first-half period, especially at the start of the second quarter. When some Middle East-based carriers temporarily reduced their capacities, many travelers found themselves seeking alternative travel routings. This in turn generated higher demand for SWISS’s flights, especially to and from Asia. But with the Gulf carriers restoring their production to previous levels, this revenue boost gradually dissipated in the course of the second quarter.

Higher loadings and slight growth in passenger numbers

SWISS transported some 8.5 million passengers in the first six months of 2026, 0.6 percent more than in the same period last year. The company operated over 67,400 flights, 4.1 percent fewer than in the prior-year period. Total first-half production, measured in available seat-kilometers (ASK), was reduced by 0.8 percent, while total traffic volume, measured in revenue passenger-kilometers (RPK), was a 1.9-percent improvement on the first half of 2025. Systemwide seat load factor for the period improved accordingly by 2.2 percentage points.

“Our customers’ desire to travel remains undimmed,” CFO Weber observes. “While we slightly reduced our capacity in the first-half period, we were still able to sell more seats and raise our load factors. Which tells us that many people consciously decide to use SWISS as their airline and put their trust in us and our services.”

SWISS was able to maintain its operational performance at its prior-year levels in the first six months of this year, despite various challenges. Sizeable geopolitical uncertainties and a number of instances of extreme weather conditions impacted on flight operations and first-half performance metrics. Punctuality for the period was unchanged at 72.4 percent, while schedule stability amounted to 96.7 percent, only slightly down from its prior-year level of 97.3 percent.

Costs lowered and resource shortages eased

SWISS is already seeing the first fruits of the cost-saving actions which it initiated some months ago. The encouraging trends in its influenceable costs confirm the prudence of the course adopted and offer good prospects of further cost declines over the rest of the current year. “Initial progress can already be seen,” Dennis Weber confirms. “But a sustainable improvement in our profitability still remains some way ahead.”

Progress has also been made on the fleet management front. While the company had still been expecting at the beginning of 2026 that production for the year would be below that of 2025, it now expects to broadly maintain total annual production at its prior-year level – not least through additional actions in its pilot training and targeted collaborations with its wet-lease partners.

Cost discipline and premium aspirations still centerstage

“As the last few months have proved, SWISS remains a reliable travel partner in testing times, too,” says company CEO Jens Fehlinger. “When the world is a less certain place, people and organizations need to count more than ever on having sound air connections. We help keep Switzerland reliably linked with Europe and the world. And we bear this role and responsibility day after day.”

Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, SWISS expects the actions it has taken to reap further rewards. At the same time, the market environment is likely to remain challenging, with fuel price trends, geopolitical uncertainties and a tendency among customers towards short-notice bookings all further adding to the present high volatility. SWISS continues to treat 2026 as a year of transition, in which it aims to lay the structural foundations for renewed growth and a sustainable improvement in its profitability from 2027.

Fehlinger concludes: “What matters now is that we consistently build on the improvements we have made while continuing to deliver the experience our customers expect from SWISS. We must operate more efficiently, sustainably improve our cost structure, and deploy our resources where they create the greatest value. At the same time, we will continue to invest in our products, our service, and a reliable travel experience. The positive feedback from our customers confirms that we are on the right track. We will continue to pursue this course with consistency. This will lay the foundation for returning to sustainable, profitable growth from 2027 onwards.”

Key first-half figures in brief

Key second-quarter figures in brief

The day before yesterday, Monday, smoke developed in the cabin on flight LX16 from Zurich to New York. The cockpit crew immediately initiated a diversion to Bangor International Airport, where the aircraft landed safely.

We sent a technical team to Bangor to inspect the aircraft. Our specialists have already been able to determine the cause of the smoke: The investigations conducted so far show that a charging case for headphones slipped into a seat and became jammed there. This damaged the device, causing it to heat up and produce smoke.

It is a standard commercially available storage case that also charges the headphones using a power bank function.

Many electronic devices contain lithium batteries. If these are damaged or malfunction, they can overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire. This is why strict rules apply on board to electronic devices and, in particular, to power banks. Passengers are responsible for complying with these rules. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the most important points:

• The use of power banks on board has no longer been permitted on our flights since the beginning of this year.
• Electronic devices or batteries may therefore no longer be charged using a power bank.
• Charging a power bank itself is also no longer permitted.
• Passengers may still bring power banks on board, but no more than two per passenger.
• These must be kept either on the passenger’s person, in the seat pocket or in carry-on baggage stowed under the seat.
• Power banks may not be carried in checked baggage or stowed in the overhead compartment.
• The same rules also apply to e-cigarettes.

In the safety video before departure, we explicitly instruct our passengers to inform the cabin crew immediately if an electronic device becomes hot, emits smoke, is damaged or is lost under the seat. Detailed information on carrying electronic devices can also be found on our website: Electronic devices and batteries (SWISS.com)

In the case of LX16, it was “only” a small charging case with a comparatively low battery capacity. “Actual” power banks have significantly greater capacity. Damage or a malfunction can have considerably more serious consequences in such a case. This makes it all the more important for us to continue raising awareness of this issue. Our passengers share responsibility for safety, and we must be able to rely on them to strictly comply with the rules governing power banks.

The entire crew of flight LX16 deserves a big thank-you: They acted immediately, purposefully and correctly. Safety always comes first for us. This also includes precautionary measures such as diverting a flight in order to respond immediately to potential hazards.

In this situation, our cockpit crew consistently followed the procedures they regularly train for in the simulator. When there is smoke of unknown origin on board, we take no risks. This is why the nearest suitable airport was immediately selected for the diversion and the landing was given high priority as a precaution.

Our Flight Attendants receive comprehensive training that thoroughly covers how to deal with fire, smoke and potentially hazardous items such as power banks. We also carry so-called “Lithium Safe Bags” on every flight. These special fire-resistant bags allow our cabin crew to safely contain devices in the event of overheating or swelling.

Additional clarification regarding flight LX16:
False reports continue to circulate claiming that there was a “fire in the cockpit” on flight LX16. This is in no way accurate: There was explicitly and exclusively smoke in the cabin. It was visible in the forwardmost section of Business Class. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) corrected its initial report stating otherwise shortly after it was published.

With this positive vote, SWISS and the trade unions and staff associations representing its ground staff have established a shared foundation for the years ahead. The new Collective Labour Agreement is the result of constructive negotiations between SWISS and its social partners, SEV-GATA, the Swiss Commercial Association (Kaufmännischer Verband Schweiz), and VPOD Air Transport. It is valid for a minimum of five years.

The most significant changes include a reduction in contractual weekly working hours, adjustments to salary bands and allowances, improvements to occupational pension provisions, and enhanced maternity benefits as well as other social benefits.

"The clear approval of the new Collective Labor Agreement is a strong vote of confidence and demonstrates that, together with our social partners, we have found a balanced solution," says Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS. "Our employees are the foundation of our success. I am therefore particularly pleased that this new agreement enables us to further improve key employment conditions while creating a strong basis for the continued success and future development of SWISS."

The previous Collective Labor Agreement has been in force since 2018 and was extended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Negotiations for a new agreement were initiated to jointly adapt the existing provisions to today's requirements and operating environment. The new Collective Labor Agreement will enter into force on 1 January 2027.

At Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), we believe in teamwork, precision and the idea that the support of an entire country can make all the difference. Using the special callsign “HOPPSCHWIIZ”, student pilot Janis Zurbriggen and Carsten Mangasser, Head of Pilot School at Lufthansa Aviation Training, took off from Grenchen to create a flying message of support for the Swiss national team. While Carsten Mangasser flew as the instructor, Janis Zurbriggen will begin the final stage of his training to become an Airbus A320 First Officer with SWISS in August.

The figure, flown with a training aircraft, stretched across around 60 kilometres and fitted perfectly into the available airspace over western Switzerland, home to many of the national team's players. Janis Zurbriggen and Carsten Mangasser planned the entire route by hand, carefully calculating altitude, speed and turn radius. Flight safety remained the highest priority throughout.

Sometimes, it doesn't take a major campaign. A great idea, a passionate student pilot and a flight instructor are enough to send one clear message to an entire team: Switzerland is behind you.

Janis Zurbriggen, student pilot from Visp and future SWISS pilot: "When I was asked to take part, I didn't have to think twice. You probably only get to plan and fly a mission like this once in a lifetime. It was an incredible experience and I can't wait to see how the Swiss cross with a heart looks on Flightradar24. I'm proud that we could support our national team in this way. My prediction? A 2-1 win for Switzerland, of course."

Carsten Mangasser, Head of Pilot School, Lufthansa Aviation Training: "At first glance, a flight like this may look easy. In reality, it requires a great deal of planning. We had to decide how large the figure should be so it would be clearly visible on Flightradar24, make sure there was enough available airspace and determine what was aerodynamically possible. Every single turn had to be carefully planned in advance, especially the sharper corners. It was a real pleasure to fly this unique mission together with Janis. And if our initiative can give the Swiss national team an extra boost, every bit of effort will have been worth it. My prediction: a 1-0 win for Switzerland."

SWISS will be cheering on the Swiss national team during the quarter-final and wishes the team the very best of luck. HOPPSCHWIIZ!

After 36 years in various leadership positions within the Lufthansa Group, Heike Birlenbach will conclude her career within the Group as planned at the end of September 2026 and will then pursue new professional opportunities outside the Lufthansa Group. Since early 2024, she has been responsible for the airline’s commercial divisions as Chief Commercial Officer. During this time, she has further strengthened SWISS’s premium positioning and set important directions for the future.

Under her leadership, SWISS introduced its new long-haul travel experience, SWISS Senses, further developed its customer strategy and strengthened partnerships in Switzerland. She also championed the digitalisation and modernisation of customer services and provided fresh momentum for an even stronger focus on the needs of customers. In addition, the repositioning of SWISS WorldCargo was initiated during her tenure. Through these efforts, Heike Birlenbach made a significant contribution to the progress SWISS has achieved in recent years in enhancing the customer experience and further strengthening its premium positioning.

Consistent customer focus

Prior to joining SWISS, Heike Birlenbach held various leadership positions within the Lufthansa Group for many years in London, Amsterdam, Milan, Munich and at the Group headquarters in Frankfurt. Among other responsibilities, she shaped the global sales organisation, promoted the digitalisation of customer channels and supported the development of new products and service concepts, always with a strong focus on customers and high-quality standards.

Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS, says: "Heike Birlenbach has made a significant contribution to SWISS. She has represented our premium ambition with great passion, driven important future topics such as SWISS Senses and the further development of our customer experience, and consistently brought in the perspective of our customers. At the same time, she has been a valued sparring partner and leader for many across the company. For that, I thank her personally and on behalf of SWISS from the bottom of my heart."

As part of the further development of leadership structures within the Lufthansa Group, the Chief Commercial Officer function at airline level will no longer continue in the future. Topics relating to the customer experience at SWISS will be overseen directly by CEO Jens Fehlinger, while SWISS WorldCargo will be assigned to the Finance division. The coming months will be used to further align the organisation for the long term and ensure a seamless transition.

After leaving the Group, Heike Birlenbach will remain active and pursue new opportunities outside the Group.