Sarah

Am looking to travel to Europe and have a reasonable fare on Swissair. Is this a reliable airline?

Anonyimouse

Swissair is safe through March 31st, 2002, at which time it will be a new airline, most likely, Swiss Airlines, so it won't lose its identity. Presently it has some excellent prices on its website. And, it is offering an additional 5000 FF miles on top of the ones that you would normally accrue through its Qualiflyer program.

John

Be careful. Despite what you may think, Swissair is in a GREAT deal of financial difficulty. Their safety record is also not that great.

Joyce

Swissair actually declared bankruptcy in October.<BR>Financials are bad, so service has probably deteriorated.<BR>It used to be a wonderful airline, but times change.

xxx

Ask the family members of the people who werer killed in their last plane crash last month....It is experiencing cash flow problems and that is being extended to personnel and their abilities to do their jobs. I would not get on a swiss air plane right now.

Alia

Just flew roundtrip ZRH - LAX on Swiss Air Lines. The worst transatlantic flight I've had, both ways. Planes completely packed, old MD-11's both ways, and only 4 bathrooms for a full economy class is ridiculous. Seats horribly cramped, pitch about 31" max. On the flight over a folding chair was actually brought out for a passenger on standby who they stuck in biz class for takeoff and landing, but once the seatbelts sign was off, the man was forced to sit on a folding chair backwards in economy. I think this is not a safe practice and shouldn't be allowed. And Swiss obviously doesn't care about huge lines and congregations in the aisles. Sometimes the line to the bathroom was 10 deep. An awful experience overall. Don't fly them overseas unless absolutely necessary. Their intra-Europe service is great, though, its like a different airline altogether.

karen

Somehow, I think if the price were right and Orbitz or Expedia had a wow fare, people would buy tickets anyway. Some people are more willing to brag about price paid than care about safety.

travelagent

Actually Swiss is being backed by<BR>the Swiss govt and are in great<BR>financial shape..better than the<BR>major US carriers..have you seen<BR>their stocks Yikes!

Rogerio

Have a look at my message under the header: Swiss - Warning !!! It tells you how cashflow and the merger of ex-Swissair and Crossair (another Swiss domestic airline) has produced SWISS, an airline that does not care for its passengers or when it flies them to their destination! I know US airlines are equally as bad, but I still recommend the old stars in the European airline industry, such as British Airways and Lufthansa - at least they still offer a sympathetic customer service and remedy when things go wrong - with Swiss, no chance. There is no consumer protection laws here in Swizerland and therefore there isn't a service culture - if they get it wrong they do not see the need to apologise let alone make up for it. Unfortunately, because I live in Switzerland I do have to use SWISS when they are no alternatives, but since my last experience, I am booking all my future flights with Lufthansa and British Airways, even if involves a transfer in those countries. I just cannot afford to be left stranded in another country and be ignored by the customer service. That my advice...

notsobad

I flew Swiss lax-zurich-barcelona-zurich-lax and found the flights to be quite acceptable. Their inflight service is about equal to any of the US carriers, and much better that KLM. I had a very short connection on the way back from Barcelona (45 mins) and they made sure that my luggage was labeled as such in order to make it on the flight with me. I say if the price is right, go for it. I think that you will be pleastantly surprised.