Swiss introduces inflight connectivity and new user interface design

As part of its ongoing investment into passenger experience, Swiss International Air Lines has introduced inflight connectivity and a new user interface design on-board its Boeing 777-300s.

Swiss International Air Lines, the national airline of Switzerland, has partnered with Panasonic Avionics to provide global inflight Wi-Fi and 3G phone services on-board the first of nine SWISS Boeing 777-300s. Serving 104 destinations in 48 countries worldwide, passengers in all three cabin classes will be able to email, surf the internet, use social networks via broadband connection and make calls as part of a one year trial.

Swiss inflight connectivity will provide Wi-Fi and 3G phone service

In addition, Swiss has also introduced Panasonic’s eXcite2 software to its inflight entertainment (IFE) systems, helping to increase functionality and modernise design. The technology provides enhanced touch-screen performance for passengers with faster navigation and response, 3D effects and animation, as well as more dynamic graphics and richer content. The software enables airlines to reduce the time required to redesign future user experience and will allow Swiss to brand its own content, creating uniformity across both in-seat monitors and synchronised passengers’ own personal devices.

Three data packages…

To meet travellers’ differing needs, SWISS will offer a choice of three data packages for its inflight internet option. The 20 MB SWISS Connect data package, costing CHF 9, is intended for those wishing to check their emails or visit a few websites; the 50 MB package at CHF 19 is more for travellers seeking to surf their social networks or use the internet to work; and the 120 MB package at CHF 39 provides even more flexibility and the opportunity to make almost full use (apart from streaming) of the internet’s scope and possibilities.

SWISS will also be providing its First Class customers with a 50 MB SWISS Connect data package free of charge.

Markus Binkert Chief Commercial Officer and Member of the Executive Board of SWISS, said: “The recently deployed inflight connectivity will allow our passengers to enjoy a new dimension of air travel experience.”

The new internet-connected SWISS Boeing 777-300ERs will be gradually deployed from the start of the 2016 summer schedules onwards, primarily on services to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Los Angeles, San Francisco, São Paulo and Tel Aviv.

In a statement regarding the introduction, Swiss International Air Lines said: ‘In its constant endeavours to meet its customers’ needs, the airline is further considering whether to extend this inflight internet connectivity to the rest of its long-haul fleet, i.e. its Airbus A330s and A340s.’