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SWISS (LX) Guide

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In short

SWISS is the national airline of Switzerland, part of the Lufthansa Group and based at Zurich Airport, with a second base in Geneva. It flies to about 120 destinations in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. SWISS is a Star Alliance member using Miles & More. Long-haul jets carry First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

SWISS is Switzerland’s national airline, part of the Lufthansa Group, which began its takeover in 2005 and completed it in 2007.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with SWISS. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

Swiss International Air Lines, known as SWISS (IATA LX), is the national airline of Switzerland and part of the Lufthansa Group. It flies from its main hub at Zurich Airport and a second base in Geneva to around 120 destinations in Europe and on long-haul routes to North and South America, Africa and Asia. It is a Star Alliance member and suits travellers who want a full-service airline with a compact, punctual hub.

Born from Swissair

SWISS started flying on 31 March 2002, built on Crossair, the regional arm of Swissair. It kept Crossair's code LX and Swissair's ICAO code SWR.

Lufthansa announced its takeover on 22 March 2005. SWISS joined Star Alliance and the Miles & More programme on 1 April 2006, returned to profit that year and completed the move into the Lufthansa Group on 1 July 2007. In 2008 it bought the leisure airline Edelweiss Air. In August 2011 it brought in a logo that echoes the old Swissair design.

Zurich and Geneva

The head office is at Obstgartenstrasse 25 in Kloten, next to Zurich Airport. Zurich is the hub for almost every long-haul flight and for connections across Europe. Geneva is the second base and mainly serves European routes.

Long-haul flights from Zurich reach North and South America, Africa and Asia, and Boston was the first route for the new A350. In February 2025 SWISS resumed daily flights between Zurich and Tel Aviv with A320s.

2025 passenger numbers and revenue

SWISS carried 21.4 million passengers in 2025, close to its 2019 record of 21.5 million, and reported revenue of 6.48 billion euros with an operating result of 600 million euros. It employed 11,217 people in December 2025. Jens Fehlinger has been chief executive since October 2024. The group also includes Edelweiss Air, the cargo business Swiss WorldCargo and Swiss Aviation Training.

Tips for Zurich connections

Zurich is a small hub, and most connections take place under one roof. Between a Schengen flight and a non-Schengen flight you must pass passport control, so allow extra time on that type of transfer.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

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SWISS official website

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Good to know

  • Founded2002
  • Other gatewaysGVA
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

LX · SWR

IATA · ICAO · callsign “SWISS”

SWISS’s IATA code is LX, its ICAO code is SWR, and the radio callsign is SWISS. Type LX and your flight number into a status search to follow a SWISS flight.

Key facts

Network

About 120 destinations

Europe · North & South America · Asia · Africa · Middle East

SWISS flies from Zurich to most of Europe and to long-haul destinations such as New York, Boston, São Paulo, Singapore and Johannesburg, with a European network from Geneva.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Premium Economy, Business, First

First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy on long-haul (the 777-300ER has 8 First, 62 Business, 24 Premium Economy and 226 Economy seats; the A350 has 3 First); Business and Economy in Europe.

Compare cabins

Good to know

SWISS was created in 2002 after the collapse of Swissair. Its leisure sister airline Edelweiss flies holiday routes from Zurich. Official website: swiss.com.

Frequent flyer

Miles & More

Member of Star Alliance

SWISS belongs to Star Alliance, so miles from LX flights can usually go into a partner scheme in the alliance as well as Miles & More.

How it works

Start a new search

Before you book SWISS, run the same dates through bookingMentor: rival airlines on routes from ZRH appear in one set of results.

Have a good trip, whether you start in Zurich or somewhere else on the SWISS network.

Select dates

At a glance

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS; IATA: LX, ICAO: SWR) is the national airline of Switzerland, founded in 2002 and based at Zurich Airport, with a second base in Geneva. A Star Alliance member owned by the Lufthansa Group, it flies about 86 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to around 120 destinations worldwide.

Key facts about SWISS
HeadquartersKloten, near Zurich Airport, Switzerland
Fleet typesBoeing 777-300ER, Airbus A350-900, A330-300, A340-300, A320neo family, A220
Frequent flyerMiles & More
Official websiteswiss.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
The SWISS network at a glance. The airline changes routes from time to time, and a search shows which LX flights run on your dates. Search flights

Europe

Zurich (ZRH) departures9 destinations

Check all

Fleet and aircraft

86 aircraft in July 2026 with 14 on order: A220s and A320-family jets in Europe; 12 Boeing 777-300ERs, 14 A330-300s, 4 A340-300s and new A350-900s (first delivered 9 October 2025) long-haul. The A350 replaces the A340 by 2028. Helvetic Airways flies E190s for SWISS.

  • Boeing 777-300ER Wide-body · 12 Flagship long-haul routes
  • Airbus A350-900 Wide-body · 2 New long-haul aircraft, e.g. Boston
  • Airbus A330-300 Wide-body · 14 Long-haul routes
  • Airbus A340-300 Wide-body · 4 Long-haul (to be retired by 2028)
  • Airbus A220-300 Narrow-body European routes from Zurich and Geneva
  • Airbus A220-100 Narrow-body European routes from Zurich and Geneva
  • Airbus A320 Narrow-body European routes
  • Airbus A320neo Narrow-body European routes
  • Airbus A321 Narrow-body European routes
  • Airbus A321neo Narrow-body European routes

Cabin classes

Four cabins on long-haul; Business and Economy in Europe.

Economy All flights

Light, Classic and Flex fares

Swiss chocolateSnack in EuropeMeals on long-haul

Premium Economy Long-haul

More room for long flights

Extra legroomWider seatExtra baggage

Business All flights

Flat beds on long-haul

Lounge accessPriority servicesExtra baggage

First Selected long-haul

SWISS’s top cabin

Private suiteFine diningFirst lounge in Zurich

Miles & More

The Lufthansa Group programme, used by SWISS.

SWISS flights earn Miles & More miles and status, which can be used across the Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance.

Baggage allowance

SWISS does not give every passenger the same allowance: the route, the cabin and the fare you buy each change it. Your LX e-ticket shows what you have.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Economy Light fares include only hand baggage; Classic and Flex include a checked bag. Long-haul fares include baggage; premium cabins include more.

Pro tip: ski equipment is popular on Swiss routes; register it in advance.
Travel day

Online Check-in

SWISS check-in comes down to four steps, from checking in online to dropping your bags at Zurich Airport.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Where your flight allows it, check in on swiss.com or app with your surname and booking reference or e-ticket number.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    International SWISS passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires. Domestic LX passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Get to the airport with time for SWISS check-in, bag drop and security. The airline sets a deadline for each airport, shown in your booking, and late arrivals can lose their seat.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    SWISS desks and bag-drop points take your hold luggage. Keep the bag-tag receipt with your boarding pass until the bags come off at the end of your LX trip.

    SWISS counter
Departing from Zurich? Terminals, lounges, food and transport at Zurich Airport, all in one guide.
Zurich Airport guide Check in with SWISS
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Cheap tickets

How to find a cheaper SWISS fare without giving up the bag or seat you need.

  1. 01

    Look across the week

    Compare a full week of SWISS departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Christmas, the February ski holidays and summer are the busiest periods.

    Ski season & summer
  3. 03

    Check what each SWISS fare includes

    A SWISS fare that includes a checked bag, seat choice or cheaper changes can cost less overall than adding those extras later.

    Baggage & changes
  4. 04

    Compare Zurich and Geneva

    Fares can differ between Zurich and Geneva; trains connect them in under three hours.

    ZRH vs GVA

  5. Ready to compare fares?

    Search SWISS alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search SWISS flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying SWISS.
Checked against swiss.com and public aviation references, with a review each season.

General

SWISS is a member of Star Alliance, which it joined in 2006. Passengers can connect to other members such as Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, United and Air Canada and earn miles on partner flights.