Swiss reverses ‘throne’ policy

Booking one of the popular Business Class solo seats known as “thrones” on Swiss long-haul A330 and B777-300ERs will cost money from the end of this month, reversing an airline policy of giving free access to premium passengers. 

The airline, part of the Lufthansa group, will be charging all but top-tier loyalty club members between SFr99 – SFr199 (about £79 – £59) according to the flight and route to reserve one of the seats.

The ‘thrones’ have been available to all Business Class passengers but could be reserved only close to departure, by which time because of the limited number available most had been allocated to loyalty club members with HON Circle and Senator status.

In a note to the loyalty club membership, Swiss CCO Markus Binkert said: “With the remodelling of Swiss Business Class on long-haul routes, we have introduced exclusive single seats that are marked by more space and discretion.

“Due to the overwhelming demand concerning these ‘Privacy seats’, we will be giving our guests the opportunity to reserve these seats for a fee starting at the end of March.”

He added that the airline would continue to offer the seats to passengers at no charge, but only “as long as they are available at the time of booking”.

www.swiss.com

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