News

News from SWISS Air: December

SWISS provides new lounge and Business
Class bus service at Zurich Airport
SWISS is taking the opportunity offered by the opening of the new Dock B at Zurich Airport to unveil its own innovations for travellers to and from its home-base hub. SWISS premium customers using the new dock's non-Schengen zone can enjoy the modern new Lounge D, with 650 square metres of space to work or relax in. And for all inbound Business Class customers whose flights are not assigned a dock stand, SWISS is introducing a new and exclusive bus service from the aircraft.
More efficient security checks In parallel to the opening of the new Dock B, Zurich Airport has also created a new security check building which, with its centralized concept and its user-friendly, state-of-the-art technologies, will bring substantially more efficiency to the security check process. SWISS customers, too, will benefit from the faster and smoother security procedures; and SWISS First and SWISS Business travellers, along with Miles & More Senator and HON Circle status customers, will enjoy the additional advantage of special priority lanes.

The new Lounge D
Miles & More status members who remain in the non-Schengen zone of the new Dock B once they have negotiated the centralized security check can take advantage of the new SWISS Lounge D, which opened its doors on 1 December. The advanced new lounge is just beyond the passport check for non-Schengen departing travellers, and is thus conveniently close to the Dock B gates.

Extending over 650 square metres, the light-flooded lounge offers visitors ample opportunity to work or rest. Its Vitra designer armchairs, Jurassic limestone walls and generouslysized windows looking out over the apron area all help to create a pleasant and relaxing ambience. The lounge is divided into two sections - one for SWISS First guests, Miles & More Senator and Star Gold Card holders, and the other for SWISS Business customers and Miles & More Frequent Travellers. Each section is provided with a separate working zone featuring free wireless LAN, a spacious bistro area (with buffet) and an extensive range of newspapers and magazines.

For travellers using the new Lounge D, it's just a quick and direct walk to their Dock B departure gate. The dock's refurbishment has also allowed additional aircraft stands to be provided. As a result, SWISS can now handle even more of its flights with all the comfort and convenience that are offered by a dock stand.

An exclusive Business Class bus service
SWISS Business passengers arriving in Zurich during peak hours whose flight still has to be handled at a "remote" stand away from the airport docks will also enjoy an exclusive additional service. Immediately after arrival, they'll find a special bus waiting to carry them quickly and promptly to the terminal building. As well as using the airport's regular airside passenger buses, the new service is being provided with two new 12-seat Mercedes Sprinters that have been specially fitted out in the
SWISS design.

Automated check-in for even more seamless travel
SWISS customers can now skip the standard check-in procedure completely, thanks to the new automated check-in service available in connection with most flights booked through swiss.com. The boarding pass will be activated automatically by e-mail or text message 20 hours prior to departure, thereby eliminating the need for passengers to actively check in. The result is a more seamless and efficient travel experience. At the time of booking, customers will be informed whether their flight is eligible for automated check-in. If so, this procedure will take place automatically unless they actively deselect the relevant check box.

In introducing this innovative service SWISS is keeping abreast of industry trends. The number of flights eligible for automated check-in will gradually increase as the service is expanded. At present, the automated check-in service is not available in the following cases: bookings on codeshare flights and SWISS operated flights from Germany, Belgrade, Tokyo and Vienna. Automated check-in reflects SWISS's firm commitment to making air travel as seamless as possible.

New Quick Check-in machines at Geneva for
SWISS Economy travellers All SWISS customers flying in Economy Class from Geneva Airport will be able to check themselves in using dedicated CUSS (customer user self-service) machines from Thursday 15 December onwards. The new "Quick Check-in" facilities mark a further step towards seamless travel, in the air and on the ground.

The Geneva Airport authority has teamed up with SWISS to offer the new Quick Check-in machines for SWISS Economy travellers. From 15 December, sixteen of the new devices will be available on the check-in concourse to enable them to check in themselves and any registered baggage and obtain their boarding pass and any baggage labels they require. The new machines will bring to 20 the total number of Quick Check-in devices assigned to SWISS and its fellow Star Alliance members Lufthansa, LOT, Austrian Airlines, Egyptair and TAP. The new facilities should smooth and simplify the entire check-in process, enabling travellers to proceed as swiftly as possible into the departure concourse and to their departure gate, where they will be welcomed by their airline's personnel.
Geneva's new Quick Check-in machines will be arranged in blocks of four to ensure optimum access and ergonomics. Their provision forms part of a broader endeavour to give travellers greater scope and freedom in their airport processes by adopting virtual and/or electronic solutions, all to offer the
customer an overall travel experience that is as smooth and seamless as possible.

The Quick Check-in facilities (which have already been in use in Zurich for almost a year now) are also a response to a general trend towards using new media and channels for this step in the travel process - a trend further reflected in SWISS's alternative Automated Check-in, Web Check-in and  Mobile Check-in options. Staff will also be on hand at the new Quick Check-in machines to give any assistance required. SWISS First travellers and HON Circle, Senator and Star Gold members may continue to check in as before at the SWISS First desks, while SWISS Business customers and Miles & More Frequent Travellers may use the SWISS Business staffed checkin facilities.

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