SWISS to offer highly unusual 'taster' tickets

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is to launch some rather unusual fares for aviation fans and other interested customers from December 6. The “taster” tickets offer seats on “out-and-straight-back” flights from Zurich to selected European destinations. The special tickets will be bookable on certain Friday afternoons.

The flights will not be specially operated: the seats will be remaining capacity on scheduled European services which is made available for these purposes. Tickets will be bookable quickly and easily by phone, and the fare will include round-trip transportation on the same aircraft with a short stay in the destination airport’s airside zone.

The airline said that the new “taster tickets” are aimed primarily at providing a flying experience, be it for a family treat, a first flight, a birthday surprise or an anniversary celebration.

Under the new concept, SWISS will be offering interested parties a limited number of seats for weekend out-and-straight-back travel from Zurich to selected European destinations. The round-trip flight will cost CHF 88 for adults and CHF 77 for children, excluding airport taxes.

Customers will be able to book these flights for Saturday or Sunday travel by calling the airline between 14:00 and 17:00 on Friday afternoons. Passengers will not learn of their precise destination until they check in. The outward and return flight will be made on the same aircraft, and the passenger will remain in the destination airport’s airside zone before reboarding for their return.