SWISS has decided not to proceed with the envisaged integration of its Swiss TravelClub frequent flyer programme into the Executive Club, its counterpart at British Airways, under the present conditions. The sizeable costs of such an integration and the drawbacks it would bring currently outweigh its projected mid- to long-term benefits. As the abandonment of the proposed integration also means that the bilateral agreement between SWISS and British Airways cannot be put into practice, SWISS is unable to join the oneworld alliance at the present time. SWISS and British Airways have reached an amicable agreement on how they now intend to proceed. SWISS’s bilateral commercial agreements with other oneworld members remain unaffected by these developments.

SWISS wishes to continue to offer its best customers an exclusive and attractive quality frequent flyer programme. Having carefully analysed all the circumstances and projected consequences, SWISS has concluded that the expected costs and drawbacks of integrating its frequent flyer programme into the British Airways Executive Club outweigh the potential mid- to long-term benefits offered by such an amalgamation. 

SWISS and British Airways have come to an amicable agreement on how they will now proceed. The decision does not affect Swiss's exchange of slots with British Airways.  Five of these slots also serve as collateral by British Airways on the CHF 50 million credit facility of which SWISS made use in February 2004. The remaining aspects of SWISS’s collaboration with British Airways will be terminated at the end of the 2004 summer schedules, with the exception of the codeshare arrangement on British Airways-operated services between Geneva and London (Heathrow), which will remain in force for a further three years.      

SWISS remains committed to the effective implementation of the turnaround plan.

The members of the Swiss TravelClub will continue to benefit from the bilateral agreements with many other airlines, including the oneworld-members among them American Airlines, Iberia and Finnair. Swiss TravelClub members can accrual and redeem miles on all codeshare-flights with these airlines.


SWISS Corporate Communications
P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel
Phone:  +41 848 773 773
Fax:  +41 61 582 3554
E-mail: communications@swiss.com