Swiss International Air Lines, the national carrier of Switzerland, has chosen the Middle East to be the second market to receive the all-new A330-300 aircraft fitted with the latest innovations in seats and inflight entertainment.

SWISS, named the 'Best Airline: Europe" for its short- and long-haul flights by the prestigious Skytrax 2009, is showcasing the A330-300's new SWISS Business Seat at the Arabian Travel Market, which is running up to May 8 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

"SWISS has a total investments of well over CHF1 billion ($878 million) for the nine new Airbus A330-300's and we expect to raise the airline's earning capacity by replacing nine smaller aircraft of the present Airbus A330-200 fleet,” Marcel Biedermann, managing director, head of intercontinental markets of Swiss International Air Lines.

The first of the new A330-300 took off from Zurich to New York last April and the second aircraft is due to arrive in Dubai come June.  We expect complete delivery by 2011.

Also, the new aircrafts will reduce SWISS's CO2 emissions by around 13 per cent," said Biedermann.

"SWISS is on a quality drive to strengthen its position in the premium segment.  Investments made since 2004 helped SWISS to build new lounges, improve inflight products and services in premium classes; eventually provide new three-class product on entire intercontinental fleet – the only airline in the world to offer a First Class cabin on all its long-haul aircraft," added Biedermann.

Martin Massüger, director, head of sales Middle East, Africa, Pakistan and Iran for SWISS, said: "We are proud to be the recipient of the second A330-300 as it underlines the importance of the Middle East market for Swiss International Air Lines.

“Passengers are assured of unique Swiss hospitality and comfort with the new features of the A330-300 as it offers top-calibre product in first, business and economy class."

SWISS is the first airline to offer the revolutionary air comfort system to passengers enabling individual settings of whether to have a firmness of a futon or softness of a waterbed.

The air cushion is placed in all body-contact areas such as back-rest, seat-cushion and leg-rest.

The air cushion enables seat weight reduction, leading to lower fuel consumption for the A330-300.

The air cushion technology is a joint innovation project by SWISS and Swiss industry market leader Lantal, in cooperation with select frequent flyer customers.

SWISS's suite above the clouds is the new First Class seat which can be reclined into a two-metre-long totally lie-flat bed with the touch of a button.  It is equipped with a down-filled duvet and incorporates the innovative pneumatic air cushion.

First Class customers get to dine or work with fellow First Class traveler with the Ottoman, a large guest seat with its own backrest and armrests.

The new SWISS Business Seat offers optimum travel comfort with a state-of-the-art air cushion for adjustable comfort in all positions.  Passengers will have more personal space and enjoy sleeping with the 2-metre (79") fully horizontal lie-flat seat which is also equipped with a massage function.

Inflight entertainment has been improved to carry larger screens in 16:9 format and plugs for USB and iPod.

Swiss Economy Class is not far behind as it also features a totally new and top-quality seats with easy-to-use inflight entertainment system.

SWISS operates non-stop daily flights from Dubai to Zurich, daily flights from Muscat, Oman, five weekly flights from Cairo and four weekly flights from Riyadh and Jeddah.

Overall, SWISS offers a comprehensive network of 90 destinations in 42 countries. – TradeArabia News Service