Airline profile · Europe

SWISS

SwitzerlandFull-service carrierStar Alliance memberSince 2002

LXIATA code

SWRICAO code

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines, IATA LX, ICAO SWR) is Switzerland's flag carrier and part of the Lufthansa Group, flying from hubs in Zurich and Geneva to about 110 destinations in 50 countries. It began operating in 2002, joined Star Alliance in 2006, and with Edelweiss carried 21.5 million passengers in 2025.

Founded: 2002
First flight: 2002
Headquarters: Kloten, Zurich, Switzerland
Country: Switzerland
Main hubs: Zurich Airport (ZRH) · Geneva Airport (GVA)
Airline type: Full-service carrier
Alliance: Star Alliance
Loyalty: Miles & More
Parent: Lufthansa Group (Deutsche Lufthansa AG)
Ownership: A wholly owned network airline of the Lufthansa Group. Edelweiss, a Swiss leisure airline, is closely affiliated with SWISS.
Callsign: SWISS
Website: swiss.com

How travel agents book SWISS

GDS distribution

SWISS content is available through the GDSs, but EDIFACT GDS tickets carry the Lufthansa Group Distribution Cost Charge (DCC). For tickets issued from 1 January 2026 the charge was up to EUR 18 via Amadeus, EUR 22.50 via Sabre and EUR 23 via Travelport, and the Amadeus rate rose to EUR 19 (USD 22) from 5 May 2026.

NDC

SWISS sells NDC content through the Lufthansa Group NDC Partner Program, which carries a lower charge than legacy GDS booking. Travelport launched Lufthansa Group NDC content, including SWISS, on Travelport+ in December 2023.

Direct channels

Direct channels include swiss.com and the SWISS app, and agencies can book through the Lufthansa Group's own agent channels.

Notes for travel agents

The DCC applies to SWISS, Lufthansa, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti and Discover tickets issued through EDIFACT GDS connections. NDC and direct channels avoid it or carry a lower charge, so compare channels before ticketing.

On ReservationHub

ReservationHub gives agencies GDS content from Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport plus NDC and low-cost channels in one platform. See the full list on our integrations page.

History of SWISS

SWISS was created after the collapse of Swissair in late 2001. Swissair's regional subsidiary Crossair was chosen as the base for a new national airline, renamed and rebranded as SWISS, and it took over Swissair's network with the summer timetable at the end of March 2002. The idea was a fresh brand with lower costs than Swissair, built on Crossair's operation and management.

The new airline struggled with losses in its first years. In 2005 Lufthansa agreed to take it over, and the integration into the Lufthansa Group was completed in 2007. SWISS joined Star Alliance in April 2006, together with South African Airways, and uses the Lufthansa Group's Miles & More programme. The Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss is closely affiliated with SWISS.

Today SWISS is one of the Lufthansa Group's network airlines, alongside Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways. It is renewing its fleet with A320neo family aircraft and Airbus A350-900s; the first A350 was delivered in October 2025 and flew its first long-haul service in November 2025.

Milestones

2002Started operations at the end of March, succeeding Swissair.
2005Lufthansa agreed to take over SWISS.
2006Joined Star Alliance and Miles & More in April.
2007Lufthansa takeover completed.
2025First Airbus A350-900 delivered in October.

Fleet

Airbus A220-100/-300 Airbus A320/A320neo Airbus A321/A321neo Airbus A330-300 Airbus A340-300 Airbus A350-900 Boeing 777-300ER

Aircraft types in service as of 2025

The Lufthansa Group annual report counts 116 aircraft for SWISS at the end of 2025, a figure that includes Edelweiss: 30 A220s, 23 A320s, 11 A320neos, 6 A321s, 7 A321neos, 14 A330s, 8 A340s, 5 A350s and 12 Boeing 777s. SWISS plans 25 A320neo family aircraft by 2027 and ten A350s by 2029.

Network and hubs

Zurich is the main SWISS hub for long-haul and connecting traffic, and Geneva is the second base, mostly for European routes. Star Alliance lists about 110 destinations in 50 countries for SWISS.

The SWISS Air Rail network adds 24 rail destinations in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Together with Edelweiss, SWISS carried 21.5 million passengers in 2025, and its network links into the wider Lufthansa Group hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome.

SWISS: frequently asked questions

What are SWISS airline codes?

SWISS uses the IATA code LX and the ICAO code SWR, with the radio callsign SWISS. Its full company name is Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., and its flight numbers start with LX on tickets and in reservation systems.

Is SWISS part of Lufthansa?

Yes. Lufthansa agreed to take over SWISS in 2005 and completed the integration in 2007. SWISS is one of the Lufthansa Group's network airlines, shares the Miles & More loyalty programme and is affiliated with the Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss.

Does SWISS charge a GDS fee?

Yes. SWISS tickets issued through EDIFACT GDS channels carry the Lufthansa Group Distribution Cost Charge. From 1 January 2026 it was up to EUR 18 via Amadeus, EUR 22.50 via Sabre and EUR 23 via Travelport, with the Amadeus rate rising to EUR 19 on 5 May 2026.

When did SWISS join Star Alliance?

SWISS joined Star Alliance in April 2006, at the same time as South African Airways. It uses the Lufthansa Group's Miles & More programme, so members can earn and redeem miles across Star Alliance airlines as well as on SWISS.

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Sources

Profile updated 4 November 2026 by the ReservationHub team. Airline details change: confirm schedules, fares and policies with the airline before booking. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.