Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), the flag carrier of Switzerland, officially commenced operations on March 31, 2002, rising from the bankruptcy of Switzerland's former flag carrier, Swissair. The new airline was built around Crossair, Swissair's regional subsidiary, and subsequently adopted Crossair's IATA code LX while retaining Swissair's ICAO code SWR to preserve international traffic rights. Since its formation, SWISS has been a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group and joined the Star Alliance in 2006.
SWISS operates a hub system with its main hub at Zurich Airport (ZRH) and a secondary hub at Geneva Airport (GVA). From these bases, the airline serves over 100 destinations in more than 40 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Asia, offering both domestic and extensive international services.
As of November 2023, SWISS operates a fleet of around 90-112 aircraft, featuring a mix of Airbus and Boeing models. Its long-haul fleet includes Airbus A330-300s, Airbus A340-300s, and Boeing 777-300ERs. The short-haul and medium-haul fleet consists of Airbus A220-100s, Airbus A220-300s, Airbus A319s, Airbus A320s (ceo and neo variants), and Airbus A321s (ceo and neo variants). Starting in 2025, SWISS will gradually introduce ten brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft to its long-haul fleet. SWISS is also committed to providing a comfortable and safe travel experience, with aircraft equipped with modern amenities like in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi. The airline offers various cabin classes including SWISS First, SWISS Business, SWISS Premium Economy, and SWISS Economy. Notable services include the "SWISS Senses" cabin concept, which will debut on the new Airbus A350s starting January 2026, offering enhanced comfort and privacy with features like sliding doors in First and Business Class, advanced entertainment systems, and personalized temperature control.
Traveler reviews for Swiss International Air Lines present a mixed, though often critical, picture.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall Sentiment Summary:
The overall sentiment from recent traveler reviews is largely negative, particularly concerning customer service and operational inconsistencies like delays and baggage handling. While SWISS is praised for its modern fleet and premium lounges, these positive aspects are often overshadowed by frustrations with service quality and perceived lack of support during travel disruptions.
Swiss International Air Lines maintains a strong safety record and is generally considered a safe airline to fly with.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVA → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
138 | 143 mi | A321 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| LHR → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
94 | 490 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GVA → FRA |
Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
|
88 | 285 mi | BCS3 | Oct 23, 2025 |
| LJU → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
86 | 292 mi | BCS3 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| GVA → LHR |
London Heathrow
London
|
84 | 469 mi | BCS1 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GVA → MUC |
Munich Int'l
Munich
|
83 | 304 mi | BCS3 | Oct 24, 2025 |
| ARN → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
69 | 925 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BCN → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
65 | 533 mi | A320 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| BDS → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
60 | 662 mi | A320 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| VLC → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
52 | 713 mi | A21N | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ZRH → OPO |
Porto / Oporto
Francisco Sa Carneiro Int.
|
51 | 952 mi | A21N | Nov 29, 2025 |
| HAM → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
47 | 431 mi | BCS3 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| LIS → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
47 | 1072 mi | A20N | Nov 5, 2025 |
| ZRH → LHR |
London Heathrow
London
|
46 | 490 mi | BCS3 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ATH → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
46 | 1020 mi | A21N | Dec 1, 2025 |
| ZRH → GVA |
Geneva Cointrin Int'l
Geneva
|
39 | 143 mi | BCS1 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| OPO → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
37 | 952 mi | A21N | Dec 9, 2025 |
| GVA → OPO |
Porto / Oporto
Francisco Sa Carneiro Int.
|
37 | 814 mi | BCS3 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| GVA → BRU |
Brussels
Brussels
|
34 | 331 mi | BCS3 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| CPH → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
30 | 591 mi | BCS3 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BRU → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
30 | 300 mi | A20N | Oct 17, 2025 |
| CDG → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
30 | 296 mi | A20N | Nov 28, 2025 |
| ZRH → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
29 | 375 mi | A20N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| IAD → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
28 | 4151 mi | A333 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| FLR → ZRH |
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
|
28 | 284 mi | BCS1 | Dec 10, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.