by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 16, 2015 | Featured, Fleet Update, Swiss |
To kick off the Paris Airshow, Bombardier and SWISS have announced a minor modification to SWISS’ existing CS100 order.
Originally, SWISS had ordered 30 CS100 aircraft that should begin entering service during 2016. However, the order has been amended to now include Bombardier’s CS300 as well.
SWISS’ CS100….photo courtesy of Bombardier
Specifically, the ‘middle 10’ of the existing 30 plane order will be converted from CS100 to CS300 aircraft. The expectation is that the CS300 will debut in the LX fleet sometime in 2017. This move allows SWISS more flexibility with route planning and capacity for their European routes since the CS100 is designed for approximately 100 passengers while the CS300 can be configured for up to 150 passengers.
Adding the CS300 has little impact on maintenance and training since the CS100 and CS300 share about 95% of the same pieces and parts. They also carry the same type rating so pilots do not need additional training to fly the -300.
SWISS also indicated that the aircraft will carry a 2-3 cabin configuration (2 seats on the left, 3 on the right) as well as the typical ‘European’ business class ‘cabin’. For those of you unfamiliar with ‘European Business Class’, its simply the economy cabin seat but without a passenger sitting next to you. For the 2-3 config, passengers sitting on the ‘2 seat side’ will not have someone sitting next to them, while the ‘3 seat side’ will have an empty middle seat.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 11, 2015 | Featured, Fleet Update, Swiss |
Earlier today on Twitter, Bombardier released what I believe is one of their first ‘candid’ shots of the CS100 dressed in LX livery. The photo is part of the media run up to the Paris Air Show that is set to kick off on June 15.
SWISS’ First CS100……photo courtesy of Bombardier.
In addition to the CS100, Bombardier will be displaying the CS300 as well and plans to announce new performance metrics for both models in an attempt to fuel additional interest from airline customers.
The SWISS Cs100 will be on static display at Paris and will fly to Zurich afterwards to spend a few days visiting its new owner.
SWISS will be the first operator of the CS100 and plans call for the aircraft to enter service during the first half of 2016.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 3, 2015 | Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings, Featured, germanwings, Lufthansa, Swiss |
Beginning September 1, 2015, passengers who book their Lufthansa Group airline tickets via ‘GDS’ outlets will be assessed a €16/$18 surcharge.
‘GDS’ or Global Distribution System tickets are the tickets that are booked through travel agents or online portals such as Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline, etc.
The surcharge is being added due to increases in expenses associated with GDS tickets. Lufthansa Group’s expense incurred with GDS tickets runs into the hundreds of millions of Euro each year due to the expense of the distribution network (fees and commissions paid to the vendors).
Tickets purchased through a Lufthansa Group Airline’s website, service center or ticket counter at the airport will not be subject to this surcharge. This applies to Lufthansa, Brussels, Austrian, SWISS, and Germanwings/Eurowings websites.
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 22, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Swiss, Uncategorized |
Beginning on October 1 Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian passengers will have a simplified three-tiered Economy fare choice for intra-European travel. The structure is loosely based on the current Germanwings concept that affords different ‘extras’ based on which of the 3 classes is booked.
The 3 Economy fare options will be ‘Light’, ‘Classic’, and ‘Flex’ and here is a breakdown of what the characteristics are for each of the 3:
LIGHT:
1 piece of carry-on luggage up t0 8 kilograms / 17 pounds.
Fares will be non-refundable and non-changeable.
For additional fees you can select your seat prior to check-in, check a bag (up to 50 kilograms / 23 pounds) or book seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead and exit row seating.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
CLASSIC:
1 piece of luggage up to 23 kilograms / 50 pounds.
1 carry-on up to 8 kilograms / 17 pounds.
Free seat selection at the time of booking.
For additional fees you will be able to check additional baggage or select seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead or exit row seating.
Fares can be rebooked for a fee, but are non-refundable.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
FLEX:
1 piece of luggage up to 23 kilograms / 50 pounds.
1 carry on up to 8 kilograms 17 / pounds.
Free seat selection at the time of booking.
For additional fees you will be able to check additional luggage or select seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead or exit row seating.
Fares can be rebooked for free and refundable for a fee.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
50% Award Mile Bonus.
Regardless of which fare class is booked, Miles and More members will retain their status benefits so access to lounges, priority boarding, priority security etc. will not be affected. Star Alliance Gold members also will be able to use their benefits as well, including access to Senator lounges, priority check-in, etc. However, regardless of status level, passengers will be required to pay for a seat if they wish to choose a seat at booking under a ‘Light Fare’ and will need to pay if checking a bag.
Additionally, onboard catering will not be impacted by which fare class you select. All passengers in Economy will receive the same level of beverage and meal service.
Booking for these new fare classes will be open beginning June 23 for SWISS flights while Austrian and Lufthansa will open their booking systems for these new fares starting on July 28. Remember, these fares take effect for travel beginning on October 1, 2015.
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 9, 2015 | Boeing, Featured, Fleet Update, Frankfurt, Lufthansa, Munich |
Over the past week Lufthansa Group made 3 separate announcements concerning the fleet, including new orders and an update for existing orders.
The first announcement dealt with SWISS and their decision to order 3 additional 777 aircraft. These 777-300ERs will join the 6 777s already on order from Boeing and will begin to show up in the fleet during 2016. The 777 aircraft will allow SWISS to start retiring a portion of the 15 A340-300 aircraft currently in service.
SWISS now has 9 777-300ER aircraft on order.
Next, Lufthansa provided an update on their A350 order. Beginning at the end of 2016, the first of 25 A350s will start showing up in the fleet with the first handful of the type operating out of Munich and will allow for the gradual phase out of A330 and A340 aircraft. Ultimately Lufthansa will have 25 A350s in the fleet based in Frankfurt and Munich. One outstanding feature of the A350 is the fact that it will only take 3/4 of a gallon of fuel to carry one passenger 62 miles (2.9 liters per 100km). That equates to a 25% increase in fuel efficiency over most new aircraft today AND it’s 30% quieter.
LH’s new A350 will bring a distinct new look to the fleet in Frankfurt and Munich.
To round out the busy week of announcements, SWISS announced that it will be the first operator of the new Bombardier CS series beginning in the first half of 2016. In 2009, SWISS was announced as the launch customer for the type.
SWISS’ new Bombardier CS100
For those of you attending the Paris Air Show, Bombardier will have a CS100 on display in SWISS colors. Bombardier also plans to bring the SWISS CS100 to Zurich after the air show as part of its tour. Hopefully, all of the delays are behind the program and we can finally start seeing these new planes replace the aging Jumbolinos!
