In October 2023, we had the opportunity to experience SWISS Premium Economy on a long-haul flight from Bangkok to Zurich in a Boeing 777-300ER. Premium Economy promises more comfort and service than regular Economy Class and is aimed at travelers who value a more pleasant travel experience on long-haul flights. In this Trip Report, we give an in-depth look at the cabin, seating comfort, catering and the in-flight entertainment system. In doing so, we explore the question of whether SWISS Premium Economy lives up to its premium claim.
How did we book our flight?
Wir haben unseren Flug in der SWISS Premium Economy als Prämienflug über das Lufthansa Miles & More Programm gebucht. Die notwendigen Meilen sammelten wir hauptsächlich durch den Einsatz der Miles & More Kreditkarte. Während unseres Hausbaus haben wir die Gelegenheit genutzt, größere Ausgaben mit der Kreditkarte zu tätigen und so wertvolle Meilen zu sammeln. Dabei setzten wir die Neobank Revolut ein, um die Zahlungen effizient abzuwickeln. Durch das Aufladen des Revolut-Kontos mit der Miles & More Kreditkarte konnten wir Überweisungen tätigen und gleichzeitig Meilen sammeln. Diese Möglichkeit wurde jedoch 2024 eingestellt.
What is the cabin and seat in SWISS Premium Economy like in the Boeing 777-300ER?
The SWISS Premium Economy cabin in the Boeing 777-300ER comprises only three rows in a 2-4-2 configuration and starts from row 20. There are only 24 seats in total, which makes the cabin comparatively small and clearly arranged. However, there is no clear separation from economy class, which somewhat reduces the premium claim. The first row is directly adjacent to door 3, with the seats at the emergency exit being characterized by additional legroom – but there are no windows here.
The seat itself is a highlight and marks the beginning of a new standard in the Lufthansa Group. The ZIM ZP600 makes it possible to adjust the backrest backwards without obstructing the passenger behind you. The wider seats, the continuous armrests and the significantly greater legroom provided a noticeable increase in comfort compared to Economy Class. We found the numerous storage options particularly practical: a generous magazine compartment, holders for headphones and water bottles, and a small compartment under the armrest for smartphones or e-readers. There was also a USB port, a socket and an individually adjustable reading light.
As soon as we boarded, we found a shrink-wrapped blanket, a pillow, an amenity kit and a water bottle on every seat. The folding table, which could be folded out of the front seat or the armrest in the front row, was stable and offered enough space for a laptop and food. The seat could be adjusted via two buttons for the backrest and legrest, and the inclination was pleasantly large. We found the leg rest less practical, which offered us less support than we would have expected from a footrest.
Overall, the SWISS Premium Economy impressed with comfort, well thought-out details and good equipment, even if the lack of separation from Economy Class and the shared toilets meant small compromises in exclusivity.
Was gibt es in der SWISS Premium Economy in der Boeing 777-300ER zu essen & trinken?
As soon as we boarded SWISS Premium Economy, we were greeted with a friendly welcome drink. The choice was a refreshing Appenzeller elderberry juice, which left a first positive impression. A bottle of still water (0.33 l) was already waiting at the seat and shortly afterwards the menus were distributed, which gave us a good overview of the upcoming culinary highlights.
As soon as the seatbelt signs went out, the first beverage service began. I opted for a Swiss white wine served with rosemary crackers. This combination was a pleasant start to the flight and underlined the quality of the food.
About 45 minutes after the start, the three-course menu was served – on a tray on which everything necessary was clearly summarized. The starter consisted of a fresh seasonal salad with balsamic vinaigrette. For the main course, we had the choice between three dishes:
- Braised beef brisket with red wine sauce, mashed potatoes, red cabbage and shallots
- Chicken breast slices with honey mustard sauce
- Spinach-Ricotta-Ravioli with Tomato-Olive-Caper Sauce
I chose the beef brisket, which was wonderfully tender and tasty – an excellent choice. For dessert, there was a selection of cheeses and a chocolate mousse with berry sauce, which successfully rounded off the menu.
After clearing the food, another round of drinks was offered. In addition to coffee and tea, an extensive drinks menu was available. I decided on a gin and tonic with the aromatic Gin 27 Appenzeller Dry Gin. The selection of alcoholic beverages was impressive: Millesimato Brut (Italian sparkling wine), French red wine, Campari, Smirnoff, Scotch, Baileys or the Appenzeller Quöllfrisch beer. Soft drinks, water and juices (no ginger ale) were also available.
About three hours after take-off, small snacks such as sandwiches, rosemary sticks, fruit and water were provided in the galley between the first and second economy cabins. Shortly afterwards, the crew distributed delicious chocolate ice cream as a sweet change.
About two hours before landing, the second service began. Here we had a light menu with Pad Thai, rice salad and a small fruit plate – just the right thing to arrive at our destination strengthened.
What is the in-flight entertainment like in SWISS Premium Economy in the Boeing 777-300ER?
The in-flight entertainment system in SWISS Premium Economy on board the Boeing 777-300ER impresses with a generous 15.6-inch screen, which is one of the largest in Premium Economy worldwide. The matte touchscreen impressed with fast response times and low reflections, which made operation very pleasant even on day flights. A remote control was not required, as the touch operation was intuitive and precise. The entertainment offer included a good selection of films and series, including some novelties and entire series seasons, ideal for long flights. The airshow offered the usual information such as route overview and flight details, but unfortunately no exterior cameras, which we always appreciate very much on such flights.
Wifi was free on the messaging plan, so we could easily send and receive WhatsApp messages. Tiered fares were offered for additional internet access, ranging up to CHF 35 for the entire flight.
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Evaluation of SWISS Premium Economy in the Boeing 777-300ER
- Service
- Cabin
- Entertainment
- Cleanliness
- Food
- Beverages
- Price/performance
Summary
SWISS Premium Economy offered us a comfortable and high-quality flight experience. The cab impressed with spacious seats with plenty of storage options, individually adjustable comfort and well thought-out details. The food and drinks were varied and of high quality, starting with the Swiss white wine and ending with the delicious dessert. The in-flight entertainment system also scored with a large, matte screen and a good selection of movies and series. Minor weaknesses such as the lack of a clear cabin partition and exterior cameras only slightly diminish the overall impression. Overall, a worthwhile choice for premium economy travelers.
