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SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines)

Switzerland's airline, flying from Zurich and Geneva

  • SwitzerlandCountry
  • LXIATA Code
  • SWRICAO Code
  • Star AllianceAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines)

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) is Switzerland’s national airline and part of the Lufthansa Group, flying from Zurich and Geneva across Europe and to North America, Asia, Africa and South America. In Europe, Economy Basic includes only a personal item, Light adds an 8 kg cabin bag and Classic adds a 23 kg checked bag. This guide covers each fare’s baggage, the 2026 power bank rules, Zurich tips, Miles & More and how SWISS compares with Lufthansa and Austrian.

SWISS was founded in 2002 after the collapse of Swissair and has been part of the Lufthansa Group since 2005. It is headquartered in Kloten, next to Zurich Airport, and is known for punctuality, Swiss chocolate on board and a strong premium product.

Swiss International Air Lines flights to Zurich
Photo: Henrique Ferreira / Unsplash

SWISS Power Bank Rules (2026)

Since 15 January 2026, SWISS and Edelweiss apply the Lufthansa Group power bank rules:

  • A maximum of two power banks per passenger.
  • You may not use a power bank to charge a phone or other device during the flight.
  • Charging a power bank from the aircraft’s power sockets is not allowed.
  • Keep power banks on you, in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front, never in the overhead bins.
  • Power banks remain banned from checked baggage.

Check-In at Zurich and Geneva

Online check-in is available on the website and app. Zurich Airport is compact and efficient, with a railway station directly below the terminal and automated bag drops.

Allow time for passport control when connecting between Schengen and non-Schengen flights.

Families and Special Assistance

Families can request bassinets on long-haul flights, and infants under two travel on an adult’s lap. Request wheelchairs and other special assistance at least 48 hours before departure.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Switzerland

SWISS flights to Geneva
Photo: Meizhi Lang / Unsplash
  • Compare Zurich, Geneva and Basel: Basel is served by many low-cost airlines.
  • Avoid ski weeks: February school holidays push up fares.
  • Pick Light, not Basic, if you need a cabin bag.
  • Look at group connections: Lufthansa, Austrian and Brussels Airlines often sell through fares via their hubs.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see SWISS next to Lufthansa and others.

SWISS vs Lufthansa vs Austrian Airlines

All three belong to the Lufthansa Group and share fare rules, Miles & More and power bank rules.

SWISSLufthansaAustrian Airlines
HubZurich and GenevaFrankfurt and MunichVienna
AllianceStar AllianceStar AllianceStar Alliance
Economy cabin bag8 kg (from Light)8 kg (from Light)8 kg (from Light)
Power banks2, no use on board2, no use on board2, no use on board
Best forSwitzerland and premium travelWidest networkCentral and Eastern Europe

See our Lufthansa guide and Austrian Airlines guide to compare.

Arriving in Zurich

Zurich Airport has its own railway station, with trains to Zurich main station in about 10 minutes and direct trains across Switzerland.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is SWISS a Good Airline?

Yes. SWISS offers reliable service, excellent premium cabins and easy connections through Zurich. Watch the fare rules: Economy Basic includes only a personal item, and power banks cannot be used on board.

For more options, see our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against the SWISS baggage FAQ and IamExpat’s report on the 2026 power bank rules. Rules change, so check the official SWISS website before you travel.

Star Alliance & Airline Partnerships

SWISS has been a Star Alliance member since 2006. You can connect in Zurich onto Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance partners such as United, Air Canada and Singapore Airlines on one ticket.

Learn more about Star Alliance

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

As part of the Lufthansa Group, SWISS shares fares, lounges and Miles & More with Lufthansa, Austrian, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways, and is part of the group's joint ventures with United and Air Canada.

Hubs & Focus Cities

Zurich is SWISS's hub for European and long-haul flights. Geneva is its second base, with flights across Europe and to selected long-haul destinations.

Popular SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) Routes

SWISS's busiest routes link Zurich and Geneva with London, Paris, Barcelona and Athens, plus long-haul flights to New York. Its sister airline Edelweiss flies leisure routes from Zurich. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

SWISS uses the Lufthansa Group fares. Within Europe, Economy comes as Basic, Light, Classic (Comfort) and Flex, and Business as Comfort and Flex. Basic and Light are the cheapest but the least flexible. Classic adds a checked bag and allows rebooking for a fee, and Flex lets you rebook for free and get a refund for a fee.

From 27 October 2026, Economy Basic is available on all flights within Europe. It includes only a small personal item and can't be changed or refunded. Long-haul flights have their own fares, with checked bags included on most.

  • Economy Basic (Europe) No rebooking and no refund.
  • Economy Light (Europe) Rebooking for a fee; no refund.
  • Economy Classic (Europe) Rebooking for a fee; no refund.
  • Economy Flex (Europe) Free rebooking; refund for a fee.
  • Business Flex (Europe) Free rebooking and free refund.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • Swiss and EU passenger rights SWISS applies EU Regulation 261/2004 rules for long delays, cancellations and denied boarding.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage booking on swiss.com or the SWISS app.

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) Seat Selection & Additional Services

On European flights, Basic and Light fares get a seat assigned at check-in or can pay to choose one earlier. Comfort includes a free standard seat at check-in, while Flex and Business include seat selection from booking.

On long-haul flights SWISS offers Economy, Premium Economy on selected aircraft, Business with fully flat seats and First Class on the Boeing 777. Every passenger can look forward to a piece of Swiss chocolate.

  • Basic and Light Seat assigned at check-in; advance selection for a fee.
  • Comfort Free standard seat at check-in.
  • Flex and Business Seat selection included.
  • Extra legroom Front and exit-row seats available to buy.
  • Long-haul Business Fully flat seats, some with extra privacy ('throne' seats).
  • First Class On Boeing 777 long-haul flights.
  • Lounges SWISS lounges in Zurich and Geneva.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) Baggage Allowance

Within Europe, every SWISS fare includes a small personal item. Economy Light, Classic and Flex add one cabin bag of up to 8 kg; Economy Basic does not, though you can add one for a fee. Checked bags are included from Economy Classic upwards (called Comfort on some Lufthansa Group pages).

On long-haul flights, Economy fares above Light include one 23 kg checked bag, and premium cabins include more. Your exact allowance is shown in your booking.

  • Personal item (all fares) 1 small item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm.
  • Cabin bag (Economy, except Basic) 1 bag up to 8 kg and 55 × 40 × 23 cm.
  • Economy Basic (Europe) Personal item only; cabin and checked bags for a fee.
  • Economy Light (Europe) Cabin bag included; no checked bag.
  • Economy Classic and Flex (Europe) 1 checked bag up to 23 kg.
  • Business (Europe) 2 cabin bags up to 8 kg each and 1–2 checked bags up to 32 kg.
  • Long-haul Economy Light has no checked bag; other Economy fares 1 × 23 kg.
  • Long-haul Premium Economy 1 × 23 kg on Light, 2 × 23 kg otherwise.
  • Long-haul Business and First Business Light 1 × 32 kg, Business 2 × 32 kg, First 3 × 32 kg.
  • Partner flights The operating airline's baggage rules apply.

Miles & More: SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) Loyalty Programme

SWISS has used Miles & More, the Lufthansa Group's free loyalty programme, since 2006. You earn miles on SWISS, Lufthansa, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Star Alliance and many partners, and redeem them for flights and upgrades. Award miles are valid for 36 months.

Status is earned with points from flying in a calendar year, in three tiers: Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle.

  • Frequent Traveller Priority check-in, business lounge access and Star Alliance Silver status.
  • Senator Senator lounge access, extra baggage and Star Alliance Gold status.
  • HON Circle The top tier, with First Class lounges and the highest priority.
  • Miles validity Award miles are valid for 36 months.
  • Star Alliance Earn and redeem miles on all Star Alliance airlines.
Join or log in on the SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) website

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines): Frequently Asked Questions

01What are SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines)’s IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is LX. It appears in flight numbers (for example LX 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is SWR, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) part of?

It is a member of Star Alliance. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Kloten (Zurich), Switzerland.

04When was SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) founded?

The airline was founded in 2002.

05What are SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines)’s main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: Zurich (ZRH) – Main Hub; Geneva (GVA) – Hub.

06What is SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines)’s frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called Miles & More. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07Does SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) offer online check-in?

Yes. Online check-in is available through the airline's official website. Check-in opening and closing times depend on the route and airport, so confirm them for your flight before you travel.

08What is the SWISS cabin bag allowance?

Economy Light, Classic and Flex include one cabin bag of up to 8 kg and 55 × 40 × 23 cm plus a small personal item. Economy Basic within Europe includes only the personal item.

09Does SWISS include a checked bag?

Within Europe, Economy Classic and Flex include one 23 kg bag; Basic and Light don't. On long-haul flights, Economy fares above Light include one 23 kg bag.

10Is SWISS part of Lufthansa?

Yes. The Lufthansa Group took over SWISS in 2005 (completed in 2007), and SWISS uses Miles & More as its loyalty programme.

11What is the difference between SWISS and Edelweiss?

Both are Swiss airlines in the Lufthansa Group. SWISS is the national network airline, while Edelweiss focuses on leisure and holiday destinations from Zurich.

12Can I use a power bank on SWISS flights?

No. Since 15 January 2026 you may carry up to two power banks in your cabin baggage, but you can't use or charge them on board, and they must not go in the overhead bins or checked bags.

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines), its logo and trademarks are the property of Swiss International Air Lines AG and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines) unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.