In 2025, SWISS unveiled new cabins for its long-haul planes, featuring a completely revamped first class and business class, under a project titled SWISS Senses. SWISS, a member of the Lufthansa Group, offers cabins that are largely similar to the new Lufthansa Allegris concept but branded differently. The initial rollout of these new SWISS Senses cabins occurred on freshly delivered Airbus A350-900s, and SWISS intends to retrofit its existing fleet with these updated seats. The first Airbus A330-300 is in the process of being converted to SWISS Senses cabins.
SWISS has announced that it has initiated the redesign of Airbus A330-300s with new cabins. This task is being carried out in Hong Kong (HKG) — the first aircraft bearing the registration code HB-JHC reached Asia on July 20 and is anticipated to remain there for a while. Thus far, the original cabins have reportedly been taken out of the airplane, which is also undergoing extensive maintenance (a C-check), indicating that considerable work is required.
The reconfiguration of the first airplane typically takes longer due to the need for new seats to be certified for the aircraft. The Lufthansa Group has faced difficulties with certifying the new cabins, so it will be intriguing to observe how this develops. If everything proceeds relatively without issues, the intention is to move forward with the retrofit project in full force once the prototype achieves certification and returns to operation, ideally before year-end. At that stage, it is anticipated that one aircraft will be converted every six weeks.
SWISS’ fleet comprises 14 A330s, so the entire endeavor is projected to take approximately 84 weeks, which is a bit more than 19 months. Realistically, the A330 overhaul might conclude around spring 2028, or potentially in the summer or autumn. Following this, the plan is to update the 12 Boeing 777-300ERs. This aspect of the project could begin once the A330 retrofitting is finished or potentially even earlier.
As SWISS updates its Airbus A330-300s, the current configuration of 236 seats—comprising eight first class seats, 45 business class seats, and 183 economy class seats—will be modified. After reconfiguration, SWISS’ A330s will feature 225 seats, which will include three first class suites (one double suite), 43 business class seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 151 economy class seats.
The implementation of SWISS Senses will lead to a reduction of five seats in first class, a two-seat decrease in business class, the introduction of a new premium economy section with 28 seats, and a 32-seat cut in economy class. A distinctive element of the SWISS Senses cabin on the A330 is that the first class is too heavy for the aircraft, which may lead to a weight and balance challenge. Consequently, the airline plans to install a 1.5-ton weight at the rear of the aircraft to mitigate this concern.
The A330s are expected to significantly improve in appearance after reconfiguration, as the current cabins are considered outdated, particularly in business class. The A330’s 2-4-2 arrangement in economy is advantageous, yet the overall cabin is 17 inches narrower than the A350, which may impact the business class experience. The ambiance of the first class cabin is especially noteworthy, particularly with the double suite positioned in the center, which already feels cramped on the A350.
SWISS has commenced the plan to retrofit its Airbus A330 fleet with new cabins. The aircraft will feature the updated SWISS Senses concept with four classes of service. While SWISS Senses was first introduced on the A350, it is encouraging to witness the renewal of the airline’s aging A330s as well. The first aircraft is currently in the “shop,” and it is likely to take several months to prepare, as it serves as the prototype. Once this aircraft is operational again, anticipate that subsequent planes will be converted one after another, each taking approximately six weeks. Here’s to hoping the certification procedure proceeds smoothly, considering Lufthansa Group’s history.