SWISS flower-power plane lands at SFO

SWISS International Air Lines’ new San Francisco-themed Airbus A340 touched down at SFO today nonstop from Zurich, Switzerland. And TravelSkills was there to see it and join in the festivities that included officials from the Swiss consulate, media and a lot of plane spotters taking photos of the colorful new bird.

For business travelers, this is very good news. First, business class is brand new with lie-flat seats and advanced in-flight entertainment options. Second, SWISS is a Star Alliance partner, which means United Mileage Plus members can earn and burn miles on these flights.

Speaking of business travelers, it’s because of them that SWISS is here in the first place. Remember last year when SF-based Genentech was acquired by Roche? Roche is based in Zurich, and the company played a big part the SWISS decision to come here, according to Marcel Biedermann, SWISS’ managing director of sales and marketing. (Everyone chuckled when I asked  if this should be called the “Roche Coach.”) He also told me that Google, which has a large facility in Zurich, lobbied heavily for the new nonstops.

A quick look at summer fares on SWISS between SFO and ZRH shows: $1600-$1800 coach, $6000 for business class, and $12,500 for first class.

The new six-times-weekly nonstops depart SFO at 7:25 p.m. and arrive in Zurich the following day at 3:40 p.m. From Zurich, the flight departs at 1:15 p.m. and arrives SFO at 4:30 p.m. on the same day.

Here’s a fascinating time-lapse video that shows of the application of the “flower-power” San Francisco themed scheme to the exterior of the A340.