SWISS is the one main airline on the earth to supply first-class on all of its extensive physique plane, which incorporates Airbus A330s, Airbus A340s, and Boeing 777s (and as of 2025, Airbus A350s). The airline gives a stable first-class, which I rank among the many 10 finest first-class experiences on the earth. The airline additionally has glorious first-class lounges in Zurich, together with each the Schengen and non-Schengen areas.
One query that usually comes up is whether or not it’s potential to redeem miles for SWISS first-class. I wished to handle that on this publish, as the reply is (form of) nuanced.
You may’t redeem accomplice miles for SWISS first-class
Sadly SWISS doesn’t enable redemptions in first-class when redeeming by way of accomplice airline frequent flyer applications. So you probably have miles with a program like Air Canada Aeroplan, avianca lifemiles, United MileagePlus, and many others., SWISS first-class is off limits.
This is applicable each upfront and near departure, so it’s not like Lufthansa first-class redemptions, the place they divulge heart’s contents to accomplice applications as much as 15 days earlier than departure.
Simply to take a short journey down reminiscence lane, again within the day SWISS first-class was extensive open utilizing accomplice airline miles, and it was one of many best first-class awards to snag. Ah, the great previous days of roundtrip first-class awards from the USA to Asia through Europe with Aeroplan, together with two stopovers, for simply 120,000 miles. Sadly that coverage modified in 2014.
Choose Miles & Extra members can redeem for SWISS first-class
Whereas most of us can’t redeem miles for SWISS first-class, that’s not the case throughout the board. SWISS is a part of Lufthansa Group, and Miles & Extra HON Circle and Senator members (the highest and mid-tier standing ranges in this system) are allowed to redeem miles for SWISS first-class.
Admittedly these are fairly unique elite tiers, and on high of that, Miles & Extra miles might be powerful to rack up. Nonetheless, if you happen to do have that standing and a large steadiness of miles, you possibly can redeem for SWISS first-class.
How one can rating a SWISS first-class deal
Given the dimensions of SWISS’ first-class community, the airline does typically have engaging first-class pricing. You’ll typically get the most effective deal when originating in Europe exterior of a Lufthansa Group hub or focus metropolis.
Completely randomly, I pulled up Budapest to Dubai through Zurich in SWISS first-class, and that got here out to ~$2,750 roundtrip. That’s not unhealthy for a global first-class itinerary, and I’m certain there are higher offers on the market with some effort.
One other strategy to probably rating a SWISS first-class seat is by upgrading a enterprise class ticket. SWISS does launch a number of enterprise class award availability, so you possibly can redeem accomplice miles for SWISS enterprise class. Then at check-in (both on-line or on the airport), the airline will typically promote upgrades to first-class on an area out there foundation.
You may count on these upgrades to sometimes price within the vary of $1,000-2,000 one-way, give or take. In the USA, pricing is mostly decrease from the Northeast (Boston, New York, Washington, and many others.), and costlier from California Florida (Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco). Particularly, I’ve heard that the New York to Geneva route typically has essentially the most engaging pricing.
I’m not suggesting that’s some superb worth, but it surely’s essentially the most economical strategy to fly SWISS first-class, other than discovering a fantastic fare sale.
Backside line
These days it’s not potential to redeem accomplice airline miles for SWISS first-class. The one constant choice to redeem for SWISS first-class is that Miles & Extra HON Circle and Senator members can redeem this manner.
Your finest guess for scoring an honest deal on SWISS first-class is to discover a fare sale, or to improve at check-in, when discounted upgrades can be found.
Should you’ve flown SWISS first-class, how did you go about reserving it?
