777 gins and an idea above the clouds

There are quiet moments in the cockpit of the Boeing 777 when the world outside fades into a calm, distant horizon. The systems are running smoothly and somewhere between Los Angeles and Zurich, there is space to talk. That is where the story of a gin began, one that says as much about two pilots as it does about the aircraft that brought them together.

 

During the calmer phases of a long-haul flight, conversation comes naturally. Family. Hobbies. Life beyond the uniform. That is how the 777-gin entered the picture.

Captain Hans Fischer, who has worked for SWISS for 35 years, and First Officer Lorenz Kamm bonded over two flights to California. Lorenz spoke about his wife’s distillery, a traditional family-run business in the canton of Bern. Hans, a dedicated gin enthusiast, leaned in with genuine curiosity and asked detailed questions, as pilots do when they want to understand how something works.

By the second twelve hour flight from Los Angeles to Zurich, curiosity had turned into a concrete idea: to create a gin to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Boeing 777 at SWISS.

Gin 777 Bottles
777 bottles crafted with depth, character and a nod to the Boeing 777’s spirit. The concept for the Triple Seven Gin was born on a rotation from Los Angeles to Zurich.

A gin as bold as the Boeing 777

For Hans, the Triple Seven is a true «pilot’s airplane». «If you want to, you can override it», he explains. That capability, however, comes with responsibility. More control does not mean more freedom. It means a greater obligation to make precise and disciplined decisions.

Lorenz, who has flown long haul since 2015 and transitioned to the Boeing 777 in 2024, feels the same way. He appreciates that you can «really feel the airplane beneath you». For him, there is also a practical side. Long haul flying is not automatically family friendly, but certain 777 routes mean longer flights paired with more recovery days. With a young family and his involvement in his wife’s business, that balance works well.

«777 bottles, 47.77 percent, and a touch of forest»

The two pilots wanted to capture that sense of «real flying» in a bottle. A gin with character. «Something full bodied and powerful, just like our Boeing 777», Hans says.

The concept came together quickly. If they were going to do this, they would do it right. Hans had a clear vision, inspired by a favorite Japanese gin «that tastes like forest». Together with Lorenz’s wife, they selected botanicals and discussed aroma, balance, and alcohol content in detail.

Pine needles became the key ingredient. And because everything had to match the Triple Seven, the language of numbers also became part of the concept. The desired strength was decided early on: 47.77 percent — “a little stronger than usual,” says Hans smiling.

Handcrafted, one bottle at a time

The development process unfolded almost like a small flight plan: tastings in a small circle, rounds of feedback — as precise as cockpit procedures. Only once everyone was convinced did they move on to distilling and bottling. That step, they massively underestimated. Every bottle passed through their hands several times: labels applied, corks inserted, gin packed.

The sales approach was equally thoughtful. For every bottle sold, 7.77 Swiss francs are donated to SOS Children’s Villages. The two pilots round the total up to 7,770 Swiss francs, once again bringing the focus back to the number that shaped the entire project.

The original plan was to release the gin in November 2025. It ultimately launched in December. Just in time for the holidays. Just in time to celebrate the anniversary properly.

Hans lends a hand at the copper still — fully involved in the distillation process from start to finish.
Hans lends a hand at the copper still — fully involved in the distillation process from start to finish.
From bottle to glass — clarity, balance, and 47.77 percent character captured in every pour. And of course, tasting is part of the process.
From bottle to glass — clarity, balance, and 47.77 percent character captured in every pour. And of course, tasting is part of the process.
At the family distillery owned by Lorenz’s wife’s family, tradition and precision come together to shape the Triple Seven Gin.
At the family distillery owned by Lorenz’s wife’s family, tradition and precision come together to shape the Triple Seven Gin.
Measured, filled, and checked. Every step handled manually to ensure consistency across all 777 bottles.
Measured, filled, and checked. Every step is handled manually to ensure consistency across all 777 bottles.
Handcrafted with care — every bottle handled and labeled individually in a meticulous process.
Handcrafted with care — every bottle handled and labeled individually in a meticulous process.

A crew that works in sync

The project worked because the two functioned like a crew in the air. Their roles emerged naturally. Hans as the connector, with decades of company relationships. Lorenz as the organizer and hands‑on doer, close to the product and the family business. “Good crews work like that,” Lorenz says. “Everyone does what they’re best at.”

Maybe that team spirit even influences the taste. Because the Boeing 777 plays a role in their lives that goes far beyond technology. It takes them to Northern Lights above the Arctic Circle, to weather windows over Iceland, to moments you can’t plan, yet never forget.

“Many people save their whole lives to see the Northern Lights. We sometimes experience them on a normal workday,” Hans says.

Between jet lag and passion

They do not romanticize long haul flying. Rotations—especially to the western hemisphere—can be demanding, and jet lag can hit hard. Asia often offers a better rhythm; Singapore and Hong Kong rank among Lorenz’s favourites. And between flights, there’s always the family business to keep in mind.

The Northern Lights dancing above the cloud cover. Moments like these are also part of Hana’s and Lorenz’s everyday working life.
The Northern Lights dancing above the cloud cover. Moments like these are also part of Hana’s and Lorenz’s everyday working life.
Flying into the sunset on the flight deck of the 777.
Flying into the sunset on the flight deck of the 777.

In the end, two different life stories meet in the cockpit. Hans grew up in Kloten and knew early on that he wanted to become a pilot. Lorenz’s story is more international, with roots in South Africa. Flying always held something magical for him. “As a kid, I was always more excited about the flight than the actual trip,” he recalls..

It becomes clear that this is about more than technology, more than systems and checklists. It is about genuinely wanting to step into the cockpit every single day. Even when fog and gray skies cover the ground below, the sun is always shining above the clouds.

Hans calls his career a stroke of luck. To do this job, he says, you need to embrace responsibility, work seamlessly in a team, and bring strong technical instincts. Maybe you can taste that in the «Triple Seven Gin». Maybe it is this blend of discipline, passion, and quiet wonder that makes each of the 777 bottles special.

And what comes next?

The story is not over. There are plenty of ideas, and plenty of motivation. What is often missing is time.

One thing is certain: this anniversary edition will not be repeated. But something new may take shape, in a different form, with the same ambition. Hans smiles and says, «Developing a gin for SWISS First, that would be something.» And who knows, one day that gin might truly be served above the clouds.