SWISS Takes Delivery of First A320neo

Swiss International Air Lines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo aircraft at a delivery ceremony in Hamburg, Germany.

Named 'Engelberg', the plane (HB-JDA) is the first of 25 aircraft SWISS will receive between now and the end of 2024, of which seventeen will be A320neos and the other eight, the larger A321neo version.

The new twinjets will replace older Airbus A320 family aircraft in SWISS’ fleet.

Thanks to the advanced technology of its Pratt & Whitney engines and its aerodynamic sharklet wingtip extensions, the Airbus A320neo consumes up to 20% less fuel than older comparable aircraft types.

The aircraft are also equipped as standard with noise-reducing vortex generators. As a result, a departing Airbus A320neo has a noise footprint on takeoff which is around half the size of the footprint produced by older aircraft of similar size.

“Our new Airbus A320neo family aircraft will substantially further reduce the average age of the SWISS aircraft fleet,” said SWISS CEO, Thomas Klühr. “Once they are all delivered, our aircraft’s average age will be one of the youngest in Europe at around nine years. These billion-franc investments will further enhance our environmental credentials too.”

The new SWISS Airbus A320neo also offers substantially more travel comfort to both Business and Economy Class passengers, thanks to its newly-developed seats from Italian manufacturer Geven.

With their ergonomic pressure distribution over the backrest and the seat cushion, the new seats deliver a tangibly pleasanter sitting experience. And the horizontal placement of the literature pocket above the seat table is also designed to provide more personal space.

The new seats can be reclined to 20 degrees (instead of the previous 12) during the taxi, takeoff and landing phases. And Business Class travellers can even recline their seat to a full 26 degrees during the cruise phase of flight.

SWISS will be deploying its Airbus A320neos on its short and medium-haul routes of up to 4,200 kilometres within Europe and to and from destinations in North Africa and the Middle East.

The Airbus A320neo accommodates 180 passengers in Business and Economy Class.

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