Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s flag carrier and a member of the Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance. From its main hub at Zurich Airport and a secondary hub in Geneva, SWISS flies to destinations across Europe and to North and South America, Africa and Asia. The airline operates about 94 aircraft to around 120 destinations and employed about 8,000 people in 2022. Its headquarters are in Kloten, near Zurich.
SWISS was created in 2002 after the bankruptcy of Swissair, building on the assets of Crossair. It kept Swissair’s IATA code LX and adopted the old SWR ICAO code to preserve traffic rights. In the following years, Lufthansa Group gradually took control, and the takeover was completed in 2007. SWISS joined Star Alliance in 2006 and began using Miles & More for its frequent travelers. The group later expanded with subsidiaries, including Edelweiss Air, and restructured its long-haul and regional fleets to align with Lufthansa.
In recent years SWISS has modernized its fleet, ordered new aircraft such as Airbus A350-900s, and adjusted operations to stay efficient. The airline faced the COVID-19 pandemic but has continued to grow and invest in its network and services. In 2024, Jens Fehlinger was named CEO to take over in October 2024, with Dieter Vranckx moving to the Lufthansa Group’s executive team. In early 2025 SWISS resumed its Zurich–Tel Aviv service, using an Airbus A320, and delivered the first Airbus A350-900 in October 2025 as part of its long-haul upgrade plan.
SWISS offers a range of onboard services on European flights and longer routes, including drinks, snacks, and chocolate. It operates a buy-on-board program on some shorter routes (Swiss Saveurs) and provides the Swiss Air Rail service, allowing passengers to travel by train from Zurich or Basel to nearby cities at no extra charge. The airline continues to develop its long-term strategy with a focus on a modern fleet, strong hubs, and a high level of customer service.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 15:50 (CET).