Swiss has confirmed it will offer in-flight internet and roaming mobile phone access on its forthcoming B777-300ERs.
Passengers in all classes will be offered three pre-paid data packages for wifi internet, as follows:
- CHF 9 (£6) for 20MB of data, intended for those wishing to check emails or “visit a few websites”
- CHF 19 (£13) for 50MB, for “travellers seeking to surf their social networks or use the internet to work”
- CHF 39 (£29) for 120MB, providing “the opportunity to make almost full use (apart from streaming) of the internet’s scope and possibilities”
First class customers will also receive 50MB of data free of charge.
Swiss says it is considering whether to extend in-flight connectivity to the rest of its A330 and A340 long-haul fleet.
In addition the carrier is trialling the ability for passengers to make phone calls and send SMS text messages in-flight on the new Boeing B777 aircraft.
Swiss said it will conduct the trial for a one-year period, during which it will be “carefully assessing any and all feedback from its customers”.
The airline added that on night flights, the service will only be available during service times, and not while cabin lighting is switched off.
Swiss unveiled details of its B777-300ER last summer (see news July 9, 2015), and will operate the aircraft with ten-across in economy, 62 seats in business class in a 1-2-1 layout, and eight first class suites.
The aircraft will enter service next month, and according to Swiss will be deployed “primarily on services to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Los Angeles, San Francisco, São Paulo and Tel Aviv”.
Mark Caswell
