New Episode

Episode 18 - The big A350 delivery – A day full of emotions
SWISS’s first Airbus A350 is ready to depart from Toulouse, bound for Switzerland. Before takeoff, we meet the cockpit crew and gain exclusive insights into the procedures and preparations that ensure the new fleet member reaches Switzerland safely.

Meanwhile in Zurich, airport and SWISS staff, aviation enthusiasts, and families gather on the observation terrace to witness the plane’s arrival. Excitement fills the air, cameras click, and everyone watches the runway with anticipation.

Discover how this day becomes an unforgettable milestone in SWISS’s history in the this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings.

Past Episodes

Episode 17 - Sweet dreams in a shirt from trees

Especially on night flights, getting good rest is essential. That’s why SWISS Business guests are offered a special amenity: a soft, short-sleeved sleep shirt made from 100% wood fibers, developed in Switzerland by Muntagnard. The shirt will be placed on each Business Class seat and can, of course, be taken home after the flight.

Discover in this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings how wood is transformed into a shirt and which design ideas lie behind it.

Episode 16 - 30,000 pieces, 1.4 tonnes of air per second: the efficient A350 engine
The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 is the heart of our Airbus A350 and one of the most powerful engines in the world. With a diameter of more than three metres, it takes in 1.4 tonnes of air per second – enough to fill a squash court. Behind the casing is a highly complex system that manages enormous forces while ensuring maximum fuel efficiency and effective noise reduction.

This masterpiece is manufactured in Derby, England, where up to 30,000 individual pieces are assembled by hand. Matt Burns, VP Marketing at Rolls-Royce, guides us through the production halls and explains the special features of the Trent XWB-84.

What makes engines true masterpieces of engineering, crafted with such remarkable precision? Find out in this episode of SWISS Behind The Wings.

Episode 15 - Turning culinary ideas into inflight menus
For more than 15 years, a special partnership has ensured that our guests can embark on a culinary journey on board – even without meat. Together with Hiltl, the world’s oldest vegetarian restaurant with roots in Zurich, we create varied and creative menus for our long-haul flights departing from Switzerland.

To make sure these dishes reach the aircraft in the best possible quality, our catering partner gategourmet works hand in hand with SWISS and Hiltl. From the first idea to serving at 10,000 meters, every step in the process fits seamlessly together.

In this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings, we show you how this collaboration works, the ideas behind our meat-free creations, and why they’re so popular even with non-vegetarians.

Episode 14 - Coffee make, screws, spare wheels and 40,000 other components
At SWISS, we make sure our fleet is ready for operation at all times around the clock, 365 days a year. This is ensured by our colleagues in the spare parts warehouse, which holds more than 40,000 different components. From the smallest screw to the heaviest landing gear, from a toilet lid to an aircraft wheel – everything is available and ready for use at any time.

And when things need to move particularly fast, even a coffee machine can be replaced within a very short time. How this 24/7 operation works, how seamlessly all processes interact, and why every single part – whether large or small – is crucial, we show you in this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings.

Episode 13 - Gold, pharma und mango
At Swiss WorldCargo, we move freight every day among our broad international network transporting more than 300,000 tons per year. Almost everything gets shipped: from vehicles, precious metals, and banknotes to pharmaceuticals and even mangoes.

How these exotic fruits make their way to Montreal, how smoothly and efficiently the processes run, and why, despite many automated systems, a lot of manual work is still required – all this is featured in this episode of SWISS Behind The Wings.

Episode 12 - Service Training – More than just “Chicken or Beef”
Before our cabin crew welcomes guests on board, they undergo intensive training to familiarize themselves with every detail of the new SWISS Senses service concept. In a fully replicated cabin at our training centre, the entire service process is practiced as realistically as possible.

A pleasant side benefit: the “passengers” get to enjoy the menu and drinks on the spot as part of the training. And what’s behind the clever napkin-under-the-glass trick? You’ll find out in our latest episode of SWISS Behind the Wings.

Episode 11 - What makes our seats truly First Class
The new SWISS First Suite Plus for two is a true gem! But the other seats in our new SWISS First cabin are just as impressive offering comfort, privacy, and plenty of space. Then again, calling them “seats” hardly does them justice. They’re true marvels of engineering.

In fact, each First Class cabin features up to six kilometers of wiring – per aircraft! Why that is, the challenges we faced during installation, and what makes our seats truly world-class – you’ll find out in the this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings.

Episode 10 - Take a seat in our new Business Class
On the French Atlantic coast, seat manufacturer Stelia handcrafts a central element of our new A350: the Business Class seats. A total of 45 seats will be on board, available in five different versions and equipped with state-of-the-art technology and maximum comfort.

In the this episode of "Behind The Wings", we show you just how complex the construction of such a seat really is, how much technology goes into it, and why every detail matters. Come along, take a seat, and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look.

Episode 9 - The demanding path to becoming an aircraft engineer
At SWISS, around 90 young people are currently completing a demanding four-year apprenticeship as polymechanics or automation engineers. Professions that require precision, a strong sense of responsibility, and a passion for technology. But what exactly do these diverse apprenticeships involve? What does a typical day look like for the apprentices, and how do they handle the responsibility they are given from an early stage?

In this episode of "Behind The Wings", we follow Luan, Madeleine, Livio and Engjell for a day and offer exclusive insights into their world – between milling machines, engines, and aircraft on the tarmac.

Here you can find more information about the Polymechanic and Automation Engineer apprenticeships.

Episode 8 – The applied special livery
How do you design an aircraft with such intricate motifs as seen on our special livery “SWISS Wanderlust”? It’s applied, not painted. Antoine Lisboa, Head of Brand Identity and Design at SWISS, and Aurélien Garrigues from the Customer Dossier Manager team at Airbus explain how this special project came about and what challenges it involved.

What looks hand-painted is in fact the result of a highly precise technical process. Instead of paint, certified special film was used. A world premiere for Airbus. Never before has an aircraft of this size been fully wrapped like this. With "Behind The Wings", we were closer to the aircraft than ever before – a rare privilege and an unforgettable experience.

Episode 7 – Take-off in the A350 Simulator
How do you prepare for an aircraft that hasn’t even joined the fleet yet? In this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings, we take you to a very special place: the brand-new A350 simulator at the Lufthansa Aviation Center in Opfikon – just minutes from Zurich Airport.

Here, our pilots are getting ready for the arrival of SWISS’s first Airbus A350. The state-of-the-art simulator recreates the cockpit environment down to the smallest detail – including sounds, motion, and a virtual view from the flight deck. The training goes far beyond standard procedures and includes exceptional situations such as bird strikes and complex approach scenarios. Each session lasts around four hours and is accompanied by a comprehensive briefing and debriefing – with precision, routine, and safety always top of mind.

Discover what goes on behind the scenes of simulator training – and how our pilots are already getting to know this next-generation aircraft – in this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings.

Episode 6 – At the heart of daily flight operations: Inside the SWISS Hub Control Center
We all know the tower at Zurich Airport – it's hard to miss. But who actually works there, aside from the air traffic controllers? In this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings, we take you behind the scenes of our Hub Control Center (HCC) – the operations hub where all the threads of our daily flight operations come together.

Here, planning, coordination, and decision-making happen almost around the clock. Whether during quieter off-peak hours or the busy midday rush – the HCC keeps everything running smoothly. And that’s only possible thanks to close collaboration with our many partners, such as Zurich Airport, Swissport, ISS, Gategourmet, the cantonal police, and our various SWISS teams. Together, we ensure that our passengers enjoy a smooth and pleasant travel experience – even when irregularities occur.

Discover in this this episode of "Behind The Wings" how teamwork and flexibility behind the scenes keep operations running seamlessly – ensuring that our flights are handled efficiently, even when things get a little turbulent.

Episode 5 – Exclusive insights into the Airbus production facilities
How is a next-generation aircraft brought to life? In the state-of-the-art hangars of Airbus in Toulouse, France, our new Airbus A350 is taking shape step by step. We were on site to follow the production process up close – from the first fuselage sections to the custom cabin outfitting across all four travel classes.

Join us behind the scenes and discover how precision, innovation, and passion come together to create a long-haul aircraft that will soon become part of the SWISS fleet.

Episode 4 – High-flying fabric – a visit to the textile supplier Lantal 
Anyone taking a seat on a SWISS aircraft is not only sitting comfortably but also on a piece of true Swiss tradition. The fabrics for the seat covers come from the family-owned company Lantal, located in the tranquil Oberaargau region. From there, Lantal supplies over 300 airlines worldwide – including, of course, SWISS.

In this episode of SWISS Behind the Wings, Sales Manager Lou Rickenbacher and his team take us behind the scenes of production. They reveal what Emmental cheese has to do with Lantal’s success – and why a flamethrower plays an important role.

Episode 3 – Swiss innovation in the new A350 seat 
Cooling without drafts, heating at the touch of a button, and perfect side support – even while sleeping. What’s behind the new SWISS Senses seat in SWISS Business and SWISS First?

In the third episode of "Behind The Wings", our host visits Caynova AG in Langenthal (BE), where these high-tech seats are developed. CEO Thomas Steiner and his team guide him through the production process and provide exciting insights into the interior of the seats. And how does the prototype feel? Find out in the video.

Episode 2 – Artist Frederic Siegel designs the special livery “Wanderlust”
Swiss animation artist Frederic Siegel designed the special livery for SWISS’s first Airbus A350. Find out why typical Swiss motifs like chocolate and cheese are missing and why he was more nervous after finishing the project than at the beginning. Watch the second episode of “Behind The Wings”.

Episode 1 – The A350 flight simulator
Follow the delivery and installation of a state-of-the-art A350 flight simulator. And why does our host get sweaty hands when sitting in the cockpit for the first time? Find out in the video!