Swiss

ICAO: SWR Active as of Dec 11, 2025

237

Active Routes

2957

Flight Observations

92

Unique Destinations

106

Origin Airports

1369

Avg Route Distance (mi)

7996

Longest Route (mi)

4

Domestic Routes

96

International Routes
About Swiss

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.

What Travelers Say

Traveler reviews for Swiss International Air Lines present a mixed, though often critical, picture.

What Travelers Love:

  • Modern Aircraft and Comfort: Many passengers appreciate the modern aircraft and the comfortable seating, particularly in newer cabin configurations or specific classes like Business Class, where some highlight "fabulous food and a old wine selection" and "nice light cabins". The introduction of new cabin concepts like "SWISS Senses" also aims to enhance comfort and privacy.
  • Direct Flights and Hub Connectivity: SWISS is often seen as a good option for direct or short flights within Europe from Zurich and for connections through its Zurich hub. Its comprehensive network connecting Switzerland to major international destinations is also valued.
  • Premium Class Amenities: The airline's premium offerings, especially the SWISS First Class Lounge at Zurich Airport Terminal E, have received high praise, winning awards for its luxurious amenities including hotel rooms, mini-suites, a champagne bar, a five-star à la carte restaurant, and a terrace with airport views.

Common Complaints:

  • Poor Customer Service: A recurring theme in complaints is negative experiences with customer service, both at the airport and through other channels. Travelers report staff being "unfriendly and unwilling to listen or help", "rude", and "incompetent". Issues include tickets being suspended or deleted without notification, difficulty resolving baggage issues, and lack of accommodation for flight changes.
  • Flight Delays and Missed Connections: Numerous reviews cite frequent flight delays and issues with missed connecting flights, with passengers reporting insufficient time between connections and a lack of assistance or compensation from the airline.
  • Baggage Issues and Fees: Passengers frequently complain about lost baggage, delayed baggage, high baggage fees, and restrictive carry-on policies, sometimes leading to unexpected charges or the refusal to allow bags onboard. Problems with sports baggage purchases and refunds have also been noted.

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.

Safety Information

Swiss International Air Lines maintains a strong safety record and is generally considered a safe airline to fly with.

  • Recent Safety Record and Incidents: SWISS has not suffered any fatal accidents within the last 10 years. Its safety record has been consistently high, with notable incidents being relatively rare. While its predecessor, Swissair, was involved in several fatal accidents prior to its bankruptcy in 22, SWISS itself has maintained an excellent safety profile since its formation. Minor incidents reported by AeroInside include uncontained engine failures, smoke on board, attitude sensor problems, rejected takeoffs, and lightning strikes, but none resulted in fatalities.
  • Regulatory Certifications: SWISS is IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, which is a globally recognized benchmark for safety management in airlines. The airline undergoes evaluation every two years. Additionally, SWISS is regulated by The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which has exceptionally good ICAO Safety Audit results. SWISS is also not blacklisted in the European Union or the United States.
  • Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: SWISS operates a modern aircraft fleet. As of 2022-2023, the average age of its fleet components ranges, with some Airbus A320ceos nearing 22 years old and newer Airbus A320/A321neos and Boeing 777-300ERs being much younger (average age around 2.2 to 6 years). The average fleet age is around 10 years, which is typical for a major international airline. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group, known for its rigorous maintenance standards.
  • Overall Safety Assessment: Based on available data, SWISS receives a high safety assessment, earning a 7/7 safety rating on AirlineRatings.com. Its adherence to international safety protocols, IOSA certification, robust regulation by FOCA, and absence of fatal accidents in its operational history contribute to its reputation as a very safe airline.
  • Safety Awards or Recognitions: While not directly safety awards, SWISS's membership in the Star Alliance is a significant stamp of approval for its operational and safety approach. The airline's consistent recognition for its premium offerings, such as "Europe's Best Airline for First and Business Class" at the World Travel Awards and "World's Best First Class Airline Lounge" by Skytrax, indirectly reflects a commitment to high standards across its operations, which often correlate with safety.
Content generated by AI based on web research • Updated 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Route Network Map
Most Popular Routes
138 flights
A321
LHR → ZRH
London Heathrow Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
490 miles
94 flights
A20N
88 flights
BCS3
86 flights
BCS3
84 flights
BCS1
83 flights
BCS3
ARN → ZRH
Stockholm-Arlanda Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
925 miles
69 flights
A20N
65 flights
A320
BDS → ZRH
Brindisi Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
662 miles
60 flights
A320
VLC → ZRH
Valencia Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
713 miles
52 flights
A21N
Top Destinations
ZRH (LSZH)
Zurich (Kloten)
Zurich
1568 flights
96 routes
GVA (LSGG)
Geneva Cointrin Int'l
Geneva
230 flights
28 routes
LHR (EGLL)
London Heathrow
London
130 flights
2 routes
FRA (EDDF)
Frankfurt Int'l
Frankfurt am Main
101 flights
2 routes
MUC (EDDM)
Munich Int'l
Munich
90 flights
2 routes
OPO (LPPR)
Porto / Oporto
Francisco Sa Carneiro Int.
88 flights
2 routes
BRU (EBBR)
Brussels
Brussels
41 flights
2 routes
ATH (LGAV)
Athens Int'l, Eleftherios Venizelos
Athens
38 flights
3 routes
AGP (LEMG)
Malaga
Malaga
36 flights
2 routes
VLC (LEVC)
Valencia
Manises
33 flights
2 routes
Top Origin Airports
ZRH (LSZH)
Zürich Airport
Zurich
671 flights
82 routes
GVA (LSGG)
Geneva Cointrin International Airport
Geneva
655 flights
30 routes
LHR (EGLL)
London Heathrow Airport
London
113 flights
2 routes
LJU (LJLJ)
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport
Zgornji Brnik
86 flights
1 route
ARN (ESSA)
Stockholm-Arlanda Airport
Stockholm
71 flights
2 routes
BCN (LEBL)
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport
Barcelona
65 flights
1 route
ATH (LGAV)
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
Spata-Artemida
63 flights
2 routes
VLC (LEVC)
Valencia Airport
Valencia
61 flights
2 routes
BDS (LIBR)
Brindisi Airport
Brindisi
60 flights
1 route
OPO (LPPR)
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
Porto
57 flights
2 routes
Top Border Crossing Flights
ZRH (LSZH)
Zürich Airport
Zurich, CH
1568 flights
96 routes
GVA (LSGG)
Geneva Cointrin International Airport
Geneva, CH
230 flights
28 routes
LHR (EGLL)
London Heathrow Airport
London, GB
130 flights
2 routes
FRA (EDDF)
Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt am Main, DE
101 flights
2 routes
MUC (EDDM)
Munich Airport
Munich, DE
90 flights
2 routes
OPO (LPPR)
Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport
Francisco Sa Carneiro Int., PT
88 flights
2 routes
BRU (EBBR)
Brussels Airport
Brussels, BE
41 flights
2 routes
ATH (LGAV)
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
Athens, GR
38 flights
3 routes
Longest Routes
NRT → ZRH
Narita International Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
7996 mi
ZRH → SIN
Zürich Airport → Singapore Changi
6410 mi
SIN → ZRH
Singapore Changi Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
6410 mi
SFO → ZRH
San Francisco International Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
6233 mi
ZRH → GRU
Zürich Airport → São Paulo-Guarulhos Int'l
5977 mi
Shortest Routes
ZRH → STR
Zürich Airport → Stuttgart Echterdingen
90 mi
STR → ZRH
Stuttgart Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
90 mi
MXP → ZRH
Milan Malpensa International Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
127 mi
ZRH → MXP
Zürich Airport → Malpensa Int'l
127 mi
GVA → ZRH
Geneva Cointrin International Airport → Zurich (Kloten)
143 mi
All Routes
237 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
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
Data Information:

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.

Data Freshness: Real-time
Last Update: Dec 11, 2025 08:04
Coverage: Observed routes only