“The Airbus 350 is like a five-star hotel above the clouds, only faster and more sensual.” DISPLAY takes off on board the new Airbus A350, fitted with the new “SWISS Senses” cabin interior.
The Airbus A350 is considered one of the most modern wide-body aircraft in the world. Its fuel-efficient engines and optimised aerodynamics significantly reduce fuel consumption compared with older models. The jet is also much quieter. By 2031, ten Airbus A350s are set to join the SWISS fleet. On the fuselage: “SWISS Wanderlust” – a work of art as a declaration of love to Switzerland.
A new sense of space in SWISS Business
As the aircraft climbs through the blanket of fog over Zurich, you see it immediately: the windows in the Airbus A350 are different. So clear, so generous that the view of the city and the lake becomes almost an emotional moment. And above the clouds, the new SWISS Senses experience begins.
As soon as you board, you sense that SWISS is rethinking Business Class. Clean lines, warm tones, high-quality materials. Lots of anthracite, lots of natural elements, finely lit. The seats are staggered, a layout that provides more privacy. Every passenger has their own space, their own seat, their own little universe.
The technology has been upgraded too. There are two screens: a removable tablet for the controls and, in front, the entertainment display. New, too: wireless charging, USB-A and USB-C and an easily accessible power socket. For small items and valuables, there is a lockable compartment. The holder for your glasses is handy as well – a detail that shows how carefully thought-out the new cabin is.
The seat itself offers four clearly defined positions: upright, dining, relaxing and sleeping. The real highlight, however, is the seat heating and cooling. A feature that brings enormous comfort. If you want to work, you’ll find a quiet setting with clever storage. If you want to sleep, a few simple moves give you a completely flat bed. And if you’re travelling as a pair, you book the middle seats and still stay in an elegant cocoon.
The SWISS Business Suites: a small apartment above the clouds
The stars of the cabin are the Business Suites. Here you get even more privacy and even more space. And a feeling of control over your surroundings. Because here, the entrance can be closed with a sliding door. Some suites even have a wardrobe right next to the seat. The sliding dining table can be set perfectly to a working or dining position.
SWISS First: a private retreat
The new SWISS First already looks impressive in pictures – in reality, it feels quite different again. Much more spacious. Much more open. Much airier. There are only three First suites on the Airbus A350, and they’re more reminiscent of a stylish private jet than of an airliner.
If you travel as a couple, you experience something here that pictures can hardly convey: you really can lie side by side. A moment more reminiscent of a luxury hotel than of a flight at 10,000 metres. Cuddling above the clouds – that’s how holidays begin. The privacy is enormous. The partitions glide elegantly shut, the materials are warm and textured. Nothing feels showy; everything is deliberately stylish. The Couple Suite is so exclusive that it can only be booked by phone.
New features in the entertainment system
The new entertainment system is available in all classes and it’s quite something. Highlight: you can now connect your own headphones via Bluetooth. We tested it straight away, successfully. During the flight, you can follow the journey via five cameras, and if you don’t want to miss the live results of the ski race, there’s a dedicated sports ticker just for that.
Stylishly upgraded washrooms
The green wall colour feels fresh, the large wall mirror and the make-up mirror are perfectly placed, the Soeder soap smells subtle. Everything feels tidy and high-end.
On the test flight, “SWISS Senses” proves to be a holistic travel experience, from the cabin and its warm materials to the service. Crew member Emily Rossbach sums the concept up perfectly: attentive, personal, harmonious.
By Raphael Hadad · Photos: Swiss International Air Lines
