Swissair - SWR > Reviews > Can the White Cross Fly Proudly Again

Author's product rating:   

Food Quality	Good
Customer Service	Friendly and attentive
Punctuality	Always on time
Space	Comfortable
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Punctuality, Efficiency, Pioneers in many areas
Disadvantages:	A bit of complacency, currently facing extreme financial problems

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Swissair, the official airline of Switzerland, was the dominating airline of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Everyone wanted to travel with Swissair for its utmost punctuality and excellent service.

I can never forget my first experience with Swissair when I flew with them on a flight from Dakar to Geneva in 1972. I was only 8 years old and if I remember correctly the plane was a propeller engine one. I can never forget the excellent service I received, even at that time, being an un-accompanied minor. One other thing that always struck me was the huge white cross on the tail of the plane and all the toys and gifts that we always seemed to get.

I continued to use Swissair on many flights mainly to Asia and traveled several times in Economy, Business Class and once had the pleasure of experiencing, their then superlative, First Class whilst on honeymoon and on the sector London-Geneva-Bombay.

Swissair’s service throughout all my journeys was efficient and courteous be it on the ground or in the air. Everyone seemed ready to help and go out of their way to serve you and to help in any way.

Swissair’s were the pioneers in introducing free alcoholic drinks (except champagne) on all classes including Economy Class. Other airlines followed suit shortly afterwards.

They maintain strict standards with seat structure, cuisine and in-flight entertainment and often set the trend for other airlines to follow.

The downturn in the fortunes of Swissair started in the early 1990’s and was visibly apparent by the year 2000.

The main cause was the introduction of Asian airlines into the system. Most notable, earlier on, was Singapore Airlines and later on Cathy Pacific and Thai.
These airlines exemplified service and took it to a different dimension. At the same time Swissair had become complacent and before they realized it there passenger traffic had been severely affected.

During the last few years Swissair has been findings ways to reduce cost. They have been reducing their flights, reducing employees, cutting down on expenditure and going into joint ventures with other airlines.

One thing that Swissair did maintain, throughout all the turmoil, was there punctuality and efficiency and this is one thing that I must congratulate them on.

After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, I was under the impression that being the flag carrier of Switzerland, which is a Neutral Country, this would enhance Swissair’s potential as being one of the safest airlines to fly.
Instead Swissair was one of the airlines that felt the crunch the most and unlike with the American airlines, the government did not come to there rescue. Instead Swissair had to rely on securing loans from commercial banks and it was during the process of negotiating these loans that Swissair, for the first time in their history, literally came to a halt with all flights and operations at a stand still.

They did resume operations a couple of days later with only 50% of their flights operational. However whether they will be able to recover from this huge blow is anyone’s guess. Personally I think they will but it will take some time.

I hope they come through it leaner, fitter and with lessons learnt, as it would be a severe blow to many travelers, including myself, to lose this icon from the face of aviation history.