SWISS has recently rolled out its new “Senses” cabin concept, a significant hardware refresh designed to modernize its long-haul fleet. Following a recent journey from Zurich (ZRH) to Boston (BOS), I had the opportunity to test the new Airbus A350-900 product.
While the new cabins represent a major investment, the experience reveals a product that is highly competitive but still navigating its “early adopter” growing pains.
The Booking Strategy: Maximizing Value
For this trip, I utilized a high-value redemption strategy via Air Canada Aeroplan. By booking a multi-leg journey from Bangkok to Boston through Europe, I redeemed 87,500 points plus $138.02 in taxes.
Pro Tip: Using Aeroplan for Asia-to-US routes via Europe offers exceptional value. For just an additional 5,000 points, you can often add a stopover in Europe, effectively turning one long journey into two separate trips.
The Cabin: A Study in Customization (and Complexity)
The SWISS Senses cabin on the A350 is divided into two sections, totaling 45 business class seats. The most notable feature is the high level of seat variety, which is designed to cater to different traveler needs—though it comes with a price tag.
Seat Configurations and Pricing
The cabin offers five distinct seat types, some of which require additional fees:
– Business Class Suites: The “gold standard” of the cabin. Located at the bulkheads, these feature privacy doors and massive personal space. They are ideal for solo travelers or couples looking for center pairs.
– Extra Space “Throne” Seats: These center seats offer significant counter space but can feel somewhat claustrophobic due to the surrounding partitions.
– Extra Long Bed Seats: Located behind the throne seats, these offer more legroom during sleep but do not offer extra width.
– Classic & Private Seats: These alternate along the window line. The “private” seats (closer to the window) are generally the “sweet spot” for comfort and privacy without extra fees.
The “Hidden Gem”: Row 7
During my flight, I occupied 7A, a seat in the final row of the forward cabin. Because of its position, it offers an unusual amount of lateral space and a highly functional layout. It features an enclosed storage compartment, extensive power options (including wireless charging ), and a massive ottoman that makes the bed mode exceptionally comfortable.
In-Flight Technology and Connectivity
The hardware upgrade extends to the digital experience, though some software kinks remain.
- Entertainment: The cabin features 4K OLED monitors. While sizes vary (24″ for suites vs. 17.3″ for standard seats), the interface is a significant improvement over previous versions. The inclusion of Bluetooth audio pairing is a welcome modern touch.
- Control Tablet: Each seat features a large tablet to control lighting, seat position, and entertainment. However, the responsiveness was inconsistent, suggesting the software is still being refined.
- Wi-Fi: Currently, SWISS offers a paid service. While the speeds were excellent for working, the pricing is steep (up to $45 for a full flight). Note: SWISS plans to introduce free Starlink Wi-Fi in the near future, which will be a game-changer for the passenger experience.
Service and Amenities: Where SWISS Skimps
While the “hard product” (the seats and tech) is impressive, the “soft product” (service and amenities) feels somewhat underwhelming for a premium carrier.
The Amenity Gap
The amenity kits provided were surprisingly basic, containing only socks, earplugs, and a toothbrush. Notably, slippers were missing, which is a standard expectation in many modern long-haul business class products.
Dining Experience
SWISS has recently overhauled its catering concept, moving toward a more direct service style.
– Service Style: Meals are now served directly onto the large tray tables rather than on individual trays.
– The Menu: The meal service included a new soup course (Cream of Celeriac with Truffles), which was a highlight. However, the main courses—such as the cod with olive oil emulsion—were decent but lacked the “wow factor” one expects at this level.
– Pacing: The service was somewhat slow; for instance, the soup arrived nearly two hours after takeoff, which can be a long wait for hungry passengers.
Final Verdict
The SWISS Senses A350 is a highly capable product that offers excellent seat options, particularly if you can snag a suite or a spacious window seat. However, the experience is currently a mixed bag: the hardware is cutting-edge, but the amenities and service pacing feel like they are still catching up to the new cabin’s potential.
Summary: A premium, highly customizable cabin that excels in seat comfort and technology, but is currently held back by basic amenities and inconsistent service flow.
