Swiss uses bigger jets for Bangkok

Swiss International Air Lines has embarked on a major product upgrade on its Bangkok-Zurich route in a bid to appeal to passengers.

The airline, part of Germany’s Lufthansa Group, started to deploy the larger and more modern Boeing 777-300ER to replace the ageing Airbus 340-300 on the long-haul route since July 16.

Bangkok is one of three Asia-Pacific cities that Swiss International has chosen to serve with its brand new wide-body long-range twin-engine jets to link with its Zurich hub.

The deployment of B777-300ERs responds to stronger travel demand between the Thai and Swiss cities and to compete better with other airlines especially the Middle Eastern carriers, Peter Pullem, head of international sales and marketing, said yesterday in Bangkok.

The airline’s B777-300ER boasts 50% more seating capacity than the A340-300 it has replaced and offers modern features which modern travellers have come to expect.

He said the new flagship airliner offers more privacy, comfort, space, entertainment and even wireless internet connectivity to customers in all three classes. First class has also been transformed, making it the only airline to offer top-end cabin services on Bangkok-Zurich connections.

The new Boeing 777-300ER offers a total of 340 seats compared with 219 in the A340-300, with eight in first class (the same number as the older aircraft), 62 in business class (from 47) and 270 in economy class (from 164).

The only other airline which operates a non-stop daily service between Bangkok and Zurich is Thai Airways International, which also deploys B777-300ER aircraft but with two cabin sections — business and economy.

Swiss has nine B777-300ERs on order from Boeing, with four already in service. The airline last month started flying its B777-300ER to Hong Kong from Zurich and is due to start Singapore services on Sept 2.