Swiss has has begun the next stage of the rollout of its premium economy product, with the first retrofitted A340 entering service.

The flag carrier unveiled its premium economy seat in 2021, with the Zim fixed shell product debuting on the Zurich-Miami route last year.

A total of 12 B777-300ER aircraft has so far been fitted with the new cabin, with Swiss now turning to its fleet of four A340s.

The first retrofitted aircraft (registration HB-JMB) entered service on the airline’s Johannesburg route this week, with three further A340s set to be fitted with the cabin by April, from which point the seat will also become bookable on flights from Zurich to Hong Kong and Chicago.

Swiss is the first Lufthansa Group carrier to introduce the Zim Privacy seat – last year it was confirmed that the German manufacturer had been chosen to supply the seat for Lufthansa’s fleet of B747-8 aircraft, as well as new A350 and B787-9s as they are delivered.

The fixed shell seat features an integrated privacy shield, as well as adjustable armrests, a cocktail table, single piece meal table, personal reading light and “extra-large IFE screen”.

Lufthansa to fit Zim Privacy premium economy seats to B747-8s

Commenting on the news Swiss’ chief commercial officer Tamur Goudarzi Pour, said:

“Our new Premium Economy Class has rapidly established itself as a hugely popular way of travel. And the highly positive feedback that we’ve received from our customers – on the greater seating comfort, the enhanced service, the wider choice of meals and the quality of the food – has only strengthened our resolve to offer this top-quality product on more of our routes.”

For our round-up of premium economy products across airlines worldwide, see:

Which airlines have the best premium economy?

swiss.com