We are thrilled to launch this flight, linking these two great cities, and offering new travel opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic. Our new route is not only an important addition to the SWISS intercontinental network, but another significant milestone in the bourgeoning Swiss – US relationship,” said Dieter Vranckx, SWISS CEO, on his US visit celebrating the launch of the new service. “Washington DC is more than just another city in our growing North American network, it is the capital of our most significant market with catchment area of customers from government, business, academia and leisure,” noted Vranckx.
The daily flight is one of three new intercontinental routes SWISS is launching this summer season, with Toronto, Canada and Seoul, South Korea slated in the coming months.
SWISS, the leading airline of Switzerland, operates one of the youngest fleets in Europe with 87 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. It has transformed Zurich Airport into one of the continent’s leading hubs. Currently serving 114 destinations from Switzerland, the airline carried some 16.5 million passengers in 2023 and is focused on continuing to offer customers in Switzerland and beyond a premium experience in all classes. As part of its investments for the future, SWISS has earmarked five billion Swiss Francs by 2027 encompassing new environmentally friendly aircraft, like the A350-900, entering service next year, as well as its Swiss Senses onboard long-haul product upgrade. The investments will also boost sustainability endeavors and new staff recruitment.
As a key component of the Lufthansa Group in North America, SWISS’s new DC routes make Dulles Airport one of the airline group’s leading North American gateways.
"This new SWISS route is a significant step for the Lufthansa Group in that finally all four of our network passenger airlines, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS, now serve the capital of the United States, making Washington Dulles only the second US gateway to offer customers flights to all five Lufthansa Group hubs,” said Dirk Janzen, Vice President Passenger Sales, The Americas, Lufthansa Group Airlines. “Outside of our home markets, North America is our most important region, and expanding our footprint in DC solidifies our presence across the US and Canada,” he added.
Lufthansa Group in DC and North America
The Lufthansa Group carriers fly from 31 North American gateways, offering 484 weekly frequencies. At Dulles Airport, the group operates 39 weekly frequencies. Further bolstering its presence locally, on May 31, Lufthansa will place its Airbus A380 aircraft on its Washington DC – Munich route, for the duration of the summer season.
Following the inaugural flight, Chryssa Westerlund, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said: "We extend a warm welcome to our 41st airline partner at Washington Dulles, Swiss International Air Lines. With the introduction of their new service to Zurich, Switzerland, travelers now have more options than ever to visit Europe and beyond. Washington Dulles offers nonstop service to 140 cities across the United States and around the world."
While SWISS is popular for its global network, as the airline of Switzerland it is eager to offer US travelers a new service straight to the country’s leading tourist destinations.
"In 2023, Switzerland saw a record increase of 23.4% (compared to the previous record, 2019) in overnights generated from the USA,” said Claudio Zemp, Switzerland Tourism Director, The Americas. “We see ever-increasing demand for Switzerland’s wonderful boutique towns, rustic alpine resorts, and scenic train journeys and we are extremely happy that SWISS provides additional airlift out of DC to our guests."
SWISS onboard experience
The SWISS A330-300 aircraft has a three-class configuration consisting of eight First Class armchair seats, 45 Business Class seats and 183 Economy Class seats.
In First Class, the seats can be turned into a lounge armchair, a table for two, or a bed with a mattress and privacy walls. Guests can adjust the integrated air cushions to suit their individual needs. Business Class seats offer a spacious workplace that converts into a roomy two-meter flat bed. Also, the seat’s integrated massage function will pamper guests while enroute and ensure that you arrive relaxed at your destination.
Culinary offerings while onboard
Since December 2002, SWISS has been taking First and Business Class travelers on its long-haul services from Switzerland on a journey of culinary discovery through its home country’s various regions. Every three months a new Michelin-starred and GaultMillau-point top chef is invited to create a varied selection of quality dishes from their ‘home’ canton, with a particular focus on regional and seasonal specialties.
Sustainability goals
SWISS has set the goal to redefine air travel for its customers, all while staying true to its ambitious sustainability goals for the future. The company plans to halve its 2019 net CO2 emissions by 2030 and make its business and operations entirely carbon-neutral by 2050, particularly by promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels. The coming A350 aircraft will cut CO2 emissions by some 25% compared to its predecessor A340. While SWISS has one of Europe’s most modern aircraft fleets already, the A350s will assist in continuing to offer a high level of customer satisfaction while further reducing the carbon footprint.
The New Service in Brief
Route Flight number Flight days Departure – Arrival (local times) Washington DC – Zurich LX 73 Daily 8:45pm-10:50am Zurich – Washington DC LX 72 Daily 12:55pm-4:15pm
Flights are now available at http://www.swiss.com.
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