New on Swiss planes: electronic devices during flights, allergy-friendly steps
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – Swiss, the airline owned by Lufthansa, is proving to be the parent’s golden child, turning in a profit in a turbulent industry, for the first quarter of 2014.
The airline showed a profit of CHF3 million, compared to a CHF24m loss a year earlier. The upswing is in line with its performance in recent months, with the fourth quarter doubling its profit compared to a year earlier and 2013 ending with CHF264m in profits, a 24 percent improvement. The company attributes the improved financial results mainly to cost-cutting.
Good news for many travelers: electronics allowed
Swiss 1 May began to allow the use of electronic devices on board its planes, as long as they are set on airplane mode. Important note: wireless and bluetooth functions must be deactivated and the new rules do not apply to laptops and some notebooks. Phone calls can’t be made and the internet cannot be used.
The change does mean you can use your devices from takeoff to landing; until now they have been allowed only while at cruising altitude. Expect to see more smart phones being used to take photos near airports and calmer passengers reading books on their Kindles and iPads, during takeoff.
Swiss is following EU directives issued in December, but it first changed its manuals for flight attendants and all its recorded messages, as well as other instructions, to match the new rules. Details from the airline:
“The PEDs concerned range from tablets to e-readers and mobile phones, including headphones. The sole exceptions to the new regulations are that such devices cannot be used during departures or arrivals in conditions of low visibility, and that the new provisions do not apply to larger folding electronic devices such as laptops or notebooks. These must continue to be switched off completely and carefully stowed away for the taxi, takeoff and landing phases of the flight.“
Easier breathing for allergy sufferers
The airline also put into effect 1 May a number of measures to help allergy sufferers, adapting its services to the growing number of people with allergies. Its partner for the project, Ecart (European Centre for Allergy Research and Treatment), says that more than 30 percent of Europeans now suffer from at least one allergy and in 10 percent of cases they are not receiving adequate medical treatment.
The new Swiss offer includes food and beverage changes as well as more allergy-friendly pillows, soaps and toiletries in the cabins, starting with:
“lactose- and gluten- free food and beverage alternatives (such as lactose-free coffee cream and a lactose-free version of the popular SWISS chocolate bar) offered as standard on all SWISS flights.
Depending on the length of the flight, SWISS guests with allergies or other intolerances may further request special snacks (candy bars, yoghurt or cakes) that pay due and full regard to their condition. Alternative dairy and bread products will also be available in all SWISS Lounges in Switzerland. And, as at present, allergy sufferers will be able to order special meals tailored to their needs in all seating classes on long-haul services and in Business Class within Europe up to 24 hours before their scheduled departure.
SWISS is making allergy-friendly modifications to its cabins, too. First and Business Class passengers will now be offered pillows stuffed with synthetic materials as an alternative to the down-filled version. SWISS is also ceasing its use in the cabin of decorative flowers and air fresheners that might cause nose and throat irritations; and the on-board toilets will now feature soaps that
are particularly gentle on the skin.”