July 9, 2015 – We have a soft spot for SWISS International Air Lines interiors. Particularly in the business and first class cabins, where many have tried to achieve a residential ambience through trim and finish, this airline has come the closest to achieving it.
It was thus with some trepidation we looked at the new cabin designs for its forthcoming B777-300ER fleet, but happily our fears were unfounded. Following the positive reception of their previous A330-300 project, SWISS again worked with London-based design agency, PriestmanGoode to create updated seating across all three classes, as well as the monuments, galleys and entrances on the nine-strong B777 fleet, due for delivery from 2016-2018 – the airline’s first use of Boeing aircraft.
According to PriestmanGoode, the new designs are a “natural evolution” of the A330 cabins, offering an enhanced version of the previous seat designs, whilst maintaining key elements of the brand’s identity. Such key elements include an updated cabin color palette in “richer, more sophisticated tones”, which still aligns with the rest of the SWISS fleet.
Above: First class offers fine dining and a fine experience
In first class the B/E Aerospace Oasis suite has again been selected, with its doors giving passengers privacy options of fully open, semi open or fully enclosed. As part of the refinements for the B777s, the team claims an increase of more than 50% in personal storage compared with the previous seat, including dedicated storage for amenities. Other features of the eight suites include a 2m-long flat bed, a personal wardrobe and a 32in IFE monitor.
PriestmanGoode has created a warm color and materials palette of browns, grays and accents of European oak wood for the suites, including a single-piece wood veneer table. The perforated wood panel and bespoke reading lamp carry the design language from the SWISS airport lounge on to the aircraft.
That European oak has become something of a signature finish for the airline, which runs throughout its lounges and into its aircraft cabins on different interiors elements from tables, to bulkheads and lavatory cupboards.
Above: Thompson’s Vantage has again been customized for business class
In the 62-seat business cabin, a customized version of the Vantage model by Thompson Aero Seating has again been selected, which has also been given some updates over the A330 version, including a “considerable” increase in personal stowage, and the addition of features such as headphone hangers and straps for storing tablets or magazines. The colors and materials palette has also been updated to tie in with the first class cabin and offer a consistent design language throughout the aircraft.
Above: In the 270-seat economy cabins, it was mainly a trim and finish update, with the seats complementing the palette in the business and first cabins
Beyond seating, the entrance to the aircraft has been designed as a welcoming area, featuring an illuminated welcome panel, and an illuminated world map, as found in the reception area of the SWISS lounges at Zurich airport, again in an oak wood finish.
Above: Welcome, or even willkommen, on board!
The bulkheads have also received attention, with the front walls in both first and business class featuring a print of Switzerland’s Matterhorn mountainscape, and all rear bulkheads featuring a SWISS-branded world map.
Perhaps the most interesting news so far is that there will also be a customized self-service area in the economy cabin, where guests can help themselves to snacks and refreshments.
We’re sure you’re as keen to find out more about the SWISS B777s as we are, and we will be running further details in the September issue of Aircraft Interiors International.
To see more renderings of the SWISS B777 cabins, see our gallery HERE.
For a video tour of the cabins, click HERE.
Below: The self-service snack and beverage area in economy
