Sneak Peek at the New SWISS Senses Onboard Experience in First Class [Zurich to São Paulo Flight]

Updated: September 30, 2025, 8:44am CDT

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Table of Contents

SWISS Senses First Class Soft Product
The SWISS Senses First Class Experience
How To Book SWISS First Class
Final Thoughts

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SWISS International Airlines is weeks away from debuting its most significant cabin update in decades.

The carrier will launch its new SWISS Senses product in all cabins on its first Airbus A350 when it flies to Boston (BOS) on November 20.

Ahead of the full launch, SWISS is already rolling out some of the SWISS Senses products in business and first class. Thanks to a confirmed upgrade to first class on a paid business-class ticket and some lucky timing, I just tried it out for myself on a flight from Zurich (ZRH) to São Paulo (GRU). Here’s what it was like.

SWISS Senses First Class Soft Product

For those unfamiliar, “soft product” refers to consumable items received in flight, such as food and beverages, amenity kits, pajamas, and bedding. Service is also typically considered part of the soft product.

We first learned about the slow rollout of SWISS Senses at the beginning of September when SWISS announced it would introduce the service changes ahead of the Airbus A350’s arrival.

SWISS Senses in first class promises reimagined food and beverage service, black tableware, and fine porcelain combined with new Zimmerli pajamas and slippers, plus even more high-end amenities.

The SWISS Senses First Class Experience

I started my journey in Florence, Italy, where I attended a wedding.

The first leg was a quick and pleasant business-class flight to Zurich (ZRH) with Helvetic Airways, a small regional airline operating European routes on SWISS’s behalf.

On arrival at Zurich, SWISS’ hub airport, I headed straight to the First Class lounge in Terminal E. This is the non-Schengen terminal where all of SWISS’s long-haul flights depart and arrive.

Hot Tip:

If connecting at Zurich onto a first-class flight outside of the European Schengen zone, do not follow the signs to Terminal E on arrival at Zurich. Instead, head to the first-class lounge in the A gates where you arrive. From here, you get whisked via private van to the First Class lounge at Terminal E and enjoy fast-tracked passport checks en route. It doesn’t get much more first-class than that. Unfortunately, SWISS doesn’t drive first-class passengers to the planes.

Lounge Experience

From the quality of food to the service and the huge outside terrace, the SWISS first-class lounge experience is truly world-class.

SWISS Terminal E First Class Lounge at Zurich ZRH selfie — Smiling from ear to ear on the terrace of SWISS’ first class lounge.

Seeing these signs informing passengers of the new SWISS Senses first class made me even more excited to get on the flight.

SWISS Senses sign First Class Lounge Zurich — SWISS Senses sign in the First Class Terminal E Lounge.

The only element of SWISS Senses that’s made its way into the lounge is this signature Alpine Essence cocktail. It’s offered complimentary to first- and business-class passengers and available for purchase in economy.

SWISS Alpine Essence cocktail — SWISS Senses Alpine Essence cocktail.

Onboard Meals

Before I knew it, it was time for the main event. My adrenaline was pumping as I boarded SWISS’ 9-year-old Boeing 777-300 (registered HB-JNC) and my first-ever long-haul flight with the airline.

My SWISS Senses first class experience started with a welcome drink of choice. I went for a glass of Pommery Cuvée Louise Champagne and some sparkling water. This was accompanied by SWISS’ signature savory apéro flûtes by Confiserie Sprüngli.

SWISS Sense First Class Apero Flutes — SWISS first class welcome drink and “apéro flûtes”.

Meal service started promptly, less than 30 minutes into the flight, with a trio of amuses-bouche. The plateware and small black serving dishes are part of the new SWISS Senses range.

SWISS Senses First Class amouse bouche — Amuse-bouche trio.

Before the first starters arrived, my table was set up with cutlery and more new SWISS Senses black tableware.

SWISS Senses new plates — The black tableware is sleek.

According to SWISS, passengers should be offered a selection of cold delicatessen items at this point. Maybe this part of the service hadn’t yet been introduced, as this didn’t happen on my flight.

The first of the first courses, Balik salmon accompanied by blinis, was an excellent start. The quality and flavor of the salmon were sensational.

SWISS Senses first class balik salmon — Balik salmon starter.

The multi-dish first course continued with a trout tartare with trout caviar, cilantro purée, and yuzu gel. Once again, the flavors were exquisite.

SWISS Senses first class trout tartare — I think this was the first time I’d eaten trout tartar. It was a hit.

I skipped the salad and soup course because I wanted to get a decent night’s sleep. What’s the point of flying first class if you won’t make the most of the bed, right?

The next SWISS Senses new feature I enjoyed was the enhanced bread service. I was given 4 types of bread and a selection of butter, oil, and a new SWISS Senses truffle spread. I recommend smothering the pretzel bread with the truffle butter and enjoying every bite.

SWISS Senses new breads — The pretzel bread is the rounded dark piece with the light stripe.

The airline mentions a seasonal sorbet as an intermezzo in its press release, but I wasn’t offered this. It may come at this point or after the main course.

Speaking of which, I preordered the seafood fettuccine pasta from the pre-select menu I was emailed before the flight. The dish was packed full of flavor, and the scallops were plump and juicy.

SWISS Senses first class seafood tagliatelle — I highly recommend pre-ordering this if you can.

A cheese course came next, which should come with 5 types of cheese. I was already full and didn’t mind that there were only 4.

SWISS Senses first class cheese plate — First-class cheese course.

It was getting late, so I asked for the dessert to come with the cheese, letting me get to sleep sooner.

This Felchin Maracaibo chocolate slice with toasted hazelnuts and Tahiti vanilla ice cream was the perfect end to a feast fit for royalty.

SWISS Senses first class chocolate dessert — Chocolate desserts are my favorite.

After some half-decent sleep for nearly 6 hours (according to my Oura Ring), it was time to eat again.

To start breakfast proceedings, crew came arrived with a display of cold starter options, including cereals, several yogurts, and cold cuts. I wondered whether the delicatessen plate of meats was what should have been served on a trolley during the dinner service…

SWISS Sense first class breakfast — Breakfast cold options.

Not feeling overly hungry, I only selected for the omelette from the hot menu.

SWISS first class omelette — Breakfast omelette.

Onboard Amenities

I was happy to find a host of new SWISS Senses amenities at my seat. I loved the design of the cream Zimmerli amenity kit. It’s the perfect size to fit an iPad or similar-sized gadget but not quite big enough for a laptop. The thick and bouncy first-class slippers and really comfy pajamas, also by Zimmerli, are some of the best-quality inflight amenities I’ve ever received.

SWISS Sense first class amenities — SWISS Senses first-class amenities.

I liked the style and fit of the pajamas so much that I even wore them off the plane when I landed in São Paulo.

The designer amenity sleeve contained eye shades, Sisley creams, earplugs, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. I find it interesting that SWISS opted for a French — not a Swiss — brand, especially when Air France also offers Sisley products to its first class passengers.

As part of SWISS Senses, the crew now offer first-class passengers additional items from a basket before takeoff. These include Rohner socks, Ricola herbal candies (both Swiss brands), and mouthwash.

SWISS Senses additional amenities — Extra amenities to take as you wish.

Bottom Line:

Before the full SWISS Senses rolls out with the launch of the airline’s Airbus A350 in November, SWISS is showcasing elements of the product in first class.

How To Book SWISS First Class

It was a happy coincidence that I got a sneak peek at SWISS Senses first class. I’d originally booked a round-trip from Italy to Brazil in business class for $2,173.

I searched routes for the best price and found Florence (FLR) to São Paulo via Zurich on SWISS, returning to Rome (FCO) via Frankfurt (FRA) on Lufthansa.

So, how did I end up in first class? A friend with HON Circle status — the top Miles & More program tier — gifted me Senator status. That status comes with 2 eVouchers for upgrades from business to first on international flights. After a couple of months on the waitlist, my upgrade cleared.

Booking SWISS first class with miles is nearly impossible. You can’t use partner airline points, and only HON Circle members can redeem Miles & More points for these seats.

The best strategy is to book SWISS business with points or a paid ticket (as I did), then upgrade. I didn’t check cash upgrade prices, but since the ticket would cost $16,000 outright, they can’t be cheap.

Final Thoughts

My first-ever long-haul flight with SWISS is one I’ll remember forever.

From the ground experience to the cabin crew and the superb inflight food and beverages, it’s a remarkable trip. Having only tried the SWISS Senses soft products for myself, I can’t speak for what the new SWISS Senses hard product and seats will be like. I imagine they’ll be incredible.

Considering a one-way ticket in SWISS first class could cost $10k+, the Miles & More eVouchers that afforded me this seat are an incredibly valuable status benefit worth pursuing.

Now, to find a way onto SWISS’ new Airbus A350…