Swiss set to fly C Series jets

Image Courtesy of Flight Story

Swiss International Airlines will be the first to fly the Bombardier CS 100 series aircraft. With Lufthansa, the parent company of Swiss International Airlines being the first to sign a letter of interest (LOI) for the Bombardier C series aircraft program which includes 30 orders for the C Series jet and another 30 options, the $1.53 billion deal will provide Swiss International Airlines a brand new fleet of aircraft to replace their aging Avro RJ100 “Jumbolino” fleet that is due to be phased out by 2015.

The new Bombardier CS 100 jets will be in service with the Swiss fleet by 2014 giving the principal airline of Switzerland greater operational effectiveness and simplicity to its fleet. The C Series fleet will be tailored to permit utilization for short-haul and transcontinental routes as well as adding simplicity, with the CS family of aircraft sharing commonality allowing the same crew type rating, operating and maintenance procedures.

The C Series aircraft family will be comprised of the 110 seat CS 100 and 130 seat CS 300 series aircraft bringing the latest in technology, unrivaled passenger comfort and performance as well as increased efficiency giving Swiss a great base to strengthen their business opportunities, route expansion and future viability and growth. The C Series will also give Swiss International Airlines an environmentally sustainable product with the aircraft setting benchmarks with reduced emissions, noise and fuel burn. It is touted to be the greenest single aisle aircraft in its class.

How will Swiss look to implement the fleet? Will it pursue increasing flight frequencies to destinations already served or pursue route expansion policies with this all new very efficient, high performance jet?