The first of five Airbus A340s being fitted out with completely refurbished interiors in all three seating cabins by SWISS International Airlines (SWISS) has entered service, flying from Zurich to Tokyo.
The aircraft being given the nose-to-tail treatment are being put into service one after the other, with all five A340s due to be overhauled by this summer. Future routes include Boston, Johannesburg, Shanghai and Tel Aviv.
The refurbishment programme entails the development and installation of new First Class, Business Class and Economy Class seats and a new in-flight entertainment system that offers internet connectivity.
There are also new galleys and a full modernisation of the complete interiors – including what SWISS calls a new lighting concept – in all three seating cabins. In Business Class (below), SWISS has an alternating 1+2+1 and 2+2+1 configuration while Economy Class keeps its 2+4+2 pattern.
SWISS has five A340s in its long-haul fleet, 14 Airbus A330s and ten Boeing 777-300ERs. The airline currently offers 24 long-haul destinations.
The revamped A340 cabins follow the opening last year of a new SWISS First Class lounge at Zurich Airport and the introduction of a new range of Business Class amenity kits.
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