Switzerland

 

CWT Partner: Emirates

History

Established in October 1985, Dubai-based Emirates Airline today directly serves more than 100 cities in 61 countries across its six continents network. Emirates is one of the world's most exciting and fastest growing airlines and the world's largest customer for the Airbus A380. The carrier has an enviable reputation for firsts, winning over 400 international awards for its products and services.

Emirates is a familiar view in Zurich skies: the airline enjoys a 17-year success story in Switzerland, which has developed into an important market within Emirates’ worldwide network, during this period. In August of 1992, the first Emirates jet landed in Zurich-Kloten, providing the first-ever connection between Switzerland and Dubai. At that time Zurich was Emirates' 28th destination. In the beginning Zurich was approached via Rome three times a week. Prompted by increased demand on the route, in 1994 the flights were re-scheduled to operate Dubai-Zurich-Manchester-Dubai resulting in three direct flights per week to the Swiss capital.

The Dubai-service gained increasing popularity and the Swiss metropolis got a daily direct connection in January 2001, which was propelled further to a double-daily connection in October 2006.

 

The Zurich-Dubai route

At present Emirates operates 14 non-stop flights from Zurich to Dubai per week, giving Swiss passengers excellent connections to Middle East, Africa, Asia, India, Australia and New Zealand, via Dubai. The daily flights from Zurich to the hub of the airline depart at 3.35 p.m. in the afternoon and at 10.15 p.m. in the evening respectively.

Since February 2009, the afternoon flights from Zurich to Dubai are operated with a state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER. On the evening flights, Emirates uses an Airbus A340-500 (four times per week) and an Airbus A330-200 (three times per week).

The Boeing 777-300ER brings the highest in comfort to Switzerland: With extra recline and more space under every seat, Emirates Economy Class in the B777 means more comfort for every passenger. The new generation seats also feature over 900 channels of movies, audio and TV on a 10.6" screen. An in-seat power supply and a USB connection allow passengers to view videos and pictures from their laptops or portable devices.

In Business Class, passengers benefit from lie-flat seats. With ample room for all passengers at 78" long when reclined, the new minipod seats include personal storage, massage features and a privacy divider. An in-seat power supply, dual port USB and extra-large table provide a comfortable workspace, while hundreds of channels of entertainment are available on a 17" widescreen TV.

The private suites in the First Class are fully equipped with individual storage, a coat closet, vanity desk and personal mini bar. The extra-large seats recline to become a fully flat bed, and the 23" wide-screen LCD screen features over 600 channels of Emirates ground-breaking inflight entertainment system ice. Emirates’ award winning, multilingual cabin crew provide an unprecedented level of personal service, including a la carte gourmet cuisine and an extensive wine list.

 

Chauffeur Drive Service

Travel doesn’t begin and end at the airport. That’s why Emirates offers First and Business Class passengers a complimentary personal airport transfer in a chauffeur-driven car - from home or hotel to the airport, and then again on arrival, to the passengers’ ultimate destination. In Zurich, the chauffeur drive service is available for First Class passengers within 90 driven km of the airport and for Business Class passengers within 80 driven km. In addition, Emirates offers its chauffeur drive service in the canton of Ticino as well. Business Class and First Class passengers get picked up from their home or hotel in Lugano and near surroundings and driven to Milano Malpensa Airport.

 

Emirates Lounge at Zurich Airport

In October 2008, Emirates launched the 21st executive lounge on its global network at Zurich Airport. The superbly-equipped travel sanctuary, boasting dramatic views of the Swiss Alps, offers passengers the latest in comfort, convenience and luxury whilst on the move. Away from the hustle and bustle of Zurich Airport, passengers can catch up on work at the Business Centre, surf the internet using complimentary broadband access and lose themselves in the gourmet cuisine, exquisitely prepared by on-site chefs. Passengers can also take a shower – with Timeless Spa accessories on hand, watch widescreen TV or a DVD, or have a therapeutic session in a scientifically-designed massage chair whilst sipping a drink from the complimentary bar. The Emirates Lounge in Zurich is located next to Gate E53, from where Emirates flights normally arrive and depart. In addition to the picture-postcard views of the Swiss Alps on a clear day, the lounge offers an excellent vantage point for airport activity. Emirates Lounge facilities are available to its First and Business Class passengers and Gold members of Skywards, the airline's frequent flyer programme.

 

Increased free baggage allowance

In May, Emirates increased its free baggage allowances provided to passengers. The new, generous allowance was implemented across the airline's extensive network - 30kg for Economy Class passengers, 40kg for Business and 50kg for First. This new allowance will give Emirates' passengers the flexibility to carry significantly more baggage.

Gold and Silver Members of Skywards, Emirates frequent flyer programme are entitled to an additional baggage allowance of 16 kg over their ticketed allowance for Gold members and additional 12 kg for Silver. Codeshare passengers travelling on Emirates operated flights are also eligible for the revised free baggage allowances.

Emirates' regular rates are applied to baggage in excess of these new allowances. The new baggage allowance does not apply to those travelling to or from countries which apply a piece concept for check-in luggage.

 

Stopovers in Dubai: unique shopping opportunities, idyllic beaches, exclusive hotels and wellness offerings

Dubai is attracting people’s curiosity. The reasons for this soon become obvious: the dynamic city state today offers a range of holiday options which is almost unique worldwide.

Spectacular man-made islands in the form of a palm tree, some of the world’s best hotels, more top quality spas than anywhere else in the world, idyllic golf courses, plenty of sun, wonderful beaches and added to that a range of shopping facilities to equal Fifth Avenue in New York – Dubai has also become a city of superlatives for tourists.

Dubai is ideal for a short trip or stopover. Today, the city state is a trendsetter amongst the major centres in the world and has long been able to hold its own with the most popular city trip destinations for sightseeing and shopping.

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