SWISS Air offers a range of upgrade options to make. Whether you’re looking for extra legroom, access to the exclusive SWISS Business Lounge, or a more luxurious seating arrangement, you will find an upgrade option to suit your requirements. SWISS Air upgrades allow you to upgrade to a higher class of service with better cuisine, more spacious seating, and better in-flight entertainment systems.
SWISS Air Upgrades at a Glance
The section below provides a snapshot of SWISS Air upgrades and how you can take advantage of them. It brings you up to speed with the various upgrade options available with SWISS Air, from Economy to Business Class and beyond, and the sections below will help you to make informed decisions to upgrade your flight.
- You can upgrade a SWISS Air flight by bidding for an upgrade or purchasing an upgrade with cash or miles.
- If you bid for an upgrade, you’ll know about the status of your bid up to 48 hours before departure.
- If you purchase an upgrade:
- At a fixed price, you can upgrade to any travel class regardless of the tariff purchased.
- During online check-in, you can do from 23 hours before departure.
- You can upgrade with miles online, at the airport check-in desk, or through the local Miles & More team for up to 4 passengers.
- The higher travel classes to which you can upgrade your seat are:
- Premium Economy Class
- Business Class
- First Class
- SWISS Air upgrades include both cabin class upgrades and seat upgrades. A cabin class upgrade allows you to enjoy the services and amenities of a higher travel class, whereas seat upgrades let you enjoy other benefits such as extra legroom, seat pitch, etc., in the same travel class.
How to Upgrade on SWISS Air?
You can upgrade your SWISS Air flight in any of the following ways:
- Bid for an upgrade
(most routes except from India and a few others) - Purchase an upgrade at a fixed price
- Before online check-in
- During online check-in
- Upgrade with miles
SWISS Air Bid Upgrade
SWISS Air Bid Upgrades allow you to bid for an upgrade to Business Class. All you need to do is place your bid at a price of your choosing and learn about the status of your upgrade bid up to 24 hours before departure.
Bid Upgrade Requirements. SWISS Air Bid Upgrades are available on all long-haul flights.
- To bid for an upgrade, your ticket should have been issued at least 48 hours prior to departure.
- You cannot make a bid from India due to local legislation.
- Flights to/from Tel Aviv cannot be upgraded to First Class.
How SWISS Air Bid Upgrades Work?
If your flight is eligible for a Bid Upgrade, you will receive an invitation to bid for an upgrade when you complete the booking process online on Swiss.com or by email. Alternatively, you can place your bid online directly via Manage booking, as follows:
- Access your flight booking via Manage booking
- Enter your bid amount per route.
- Follow the instructions provided on the website.
- Place your bid.
- You will receive a confirmation email as soon as you submit your bid.
- Change or cancel (i.e., withdraw) your bid up to 48 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
- You will be notified about your bid status (successful/unsuccessful) at least 24 hours before departure.
- If you make a winning bid:
- The amount bid by you will be debited to your credit card.
- You will be emailed your new e-ticket.
- Your boarding pass will be issued at the check-in desk.
- If your bid is unsuccessful:
- Your original ticket will still be valid as before.
- No additional charges will apply.
- You cannot bid with miles.
- If you make a winning bid:
Bid Upgraded Terms & Conditions
- Bid Upgrades are available for all flights operated by SWISS Air except:
- Tickets purchased from India
- Flights between Zurich🡨🡪Dublin, Zurich🡨🡪Warsaw, and Zurich🡨🡪Stockholm
- Flights to and from Tel Aviv (cannot be upgraded via bids to First Class)
- To be eligible to bid for an upgrade, you must hold a valid Economy Class ticket on a flight operated by SWISS Air.
- You can bid for an upgrade up to 48 hours before flight departure.
- All Economy and Business Class passengers can bid for an upgrade on eligible flights starting with 724—except if:
- You’re travelling with children below 2 years of age.
- You’re travelling in a group of more than 9 passengers.
- Your flight booking is not yet confirmed.
- You’re travelling with an animal (in-cabin and/or in-hold)
- You’ve booked an extra seat for added comfort, medical reasons, or cabin baggage (musical instrument)
- You’re booked on the following routes:
- DUB-ZRH
- ZRH-DUB
- STO-ZRH
- ZRH-STO
- WAW-ZRH
- ZRH-WAW
- If your flight is eligible for an upgrade bid, it will be displayed online.
- Placing an upgrade bid is free of charge. However, if your bid is successful, your credit card will be charged with the amount of your bid offer. No additional taxes or charges will apply.
- You must provide your credit card details when placing your bid.
- If you make changes to your flight and your bid has not yet been accepted by SWISS, your bid amount will not be transferred to your new flight.
- If SWISS Air makes changes to your flight and your bid has not yet been accepted, your bid will not be transferred to the new flight.
- If SWISS Air has already accepted your offer and then your flight is changed or cancelled by the airline, your bid may be transferred to the new flight if seats are available and you won’t need to change your offer.
- If you cannot be rebooked by SWISS Air, your bid offer will be fully refunded.
- Once accepted, bid offers cannot be refunded.
- If SWISS Air cancels your flight after your bid offer has been accepted, your upgrade will apply to the rebooked flight. However, if no seats are available, the bid amount will be fully refunded.
- You can cancel, modify, or re-offer your bid up to 48 hours before departure.
- If you’re travelling in a group and the other passengers are not interested in a Bid Upgrade, you can submit an individual offer as long as you’re not registered in the same booking.
- You cannot pay for a Bid Upgrade with miles but you can upgrade with miles as explained in the next section (SWISS Air Upgrade with Miles).
- The terms and conditions of your original ticket will continue to apply, such as with regard to flight cancellations, flight changes, and baggage allowance (all of which will remain the same as before).
SWISS Air Upgrade with Miles
You can redeem your Miles & More miles to upgrade up to 4 passengers to a higher class of service on short- and long-haul routes.
You can either upgrade online, at the airport check-in counter, or through your local Miles & More team. Aside from using award miles to upgrade your ticket, you can upgrade with an eVoucher.
How to upgrade with miles?
To upgrade your seat with miles online, follow the steps below.
- Log in to your Miles & More account
- Click on the Book upgrade now option
- Select the flight you want to upgrade from My Bookings
- Click on Upgrade
- Choose how you want to upgrade—with miles or an eVoucher
- Follow the prompts to upgrade
If the flight you want to upgrade doesn’t appear, you’ll need to add it from the search screen by entering your booking code.
SWISS Air Miles Upgrade to Business Class3
| SWISS Air Upgrade to Business Class with Miles | |||
| Region | From Economy Class (B, Y) | From Economy Class (others) | From Economy Class (K, L, T)2 |
| Within Europe*, North & South America, Central Asia, South-East Asia, the Middle East, Caucasia, the Far East, and North & Central Africa | 10K4 | 15K | 20K |
| * You can upgrade a domestic flight within Europe only on connecting flights combined with upgrades on intercontinental flights. They are already included in the miles required to upgrade an intercontinental flight. 2 Applies only to flights operated by Luxair, Austrian Airlines, SWISS Air, and Lufthansa. 3 Upgrades from Economy to Business Class on Singapore Airlines are only permitted on flights without any Premium Economy. 4 For flights within Europe, upgrades (incl. from Economy M to Business are possible on Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, SWISS Air, Croatia Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Luxair, and Brussels Airlines, and from Economy Class (Y, K, Q) on Luxair (but you cannot upgrade from booking class B on Luxair). | |||
Note
- The destinations are based on the regions determined by the timetables of Lufthansa and its airline partners available at the time of booking.
- In each case, an upgrade award applies only to the route covered by a ticket’s flight coupon.
- Award upgrade availability can vary by season, destination, and date.
- Individual awards may not be available at certain times.
- The number of miles shown above may not represent the most favorable connection for you.
SWISS Air Miles Upgrade to Premium Economy5—Flights from Europe
| SWISS Air Upgrade to Premium Economy with Miles (from Europe) | |||
| From Europe to: | From Economy Class (B, Y) | From Economy Class From Economy Class (others) | From Economy Class (K, L, T)2 |
| North America, India, and Southern Africa | 20K | 30K | 45K |
| Central & South America, and the Caribbean | 25K | 30K | 45K |
| Middle East, Caucasia, Central & North Africa7 | 20K | 20K | 30K |
| Central Asia, South-East Asia, the Far East | 30K | 35,000 | 50K |
| New Zealand | – | – | – |
SWISS Air Miles Upgrade to Business Class3—Flights from Europe
| SWISS Air Upgrade to Business Class3 withMiles—Flights from Europe | |||
| From Europe to: | From Economy Class (B, Y) | From Economy Class From Economy Class (others) | From Economy Class (K, L, T)2 |
| North America, India, and Southern Africa | 35K | 50K6 | 70K |
| Central & South America, and the Caribbean | 40K | 55K6 | 75K |
| Middle East, Caucasia, Central & North Africa7 | 30K | 35K6 | 45K |
| Central Asia, South-East Asia, the Far East | 50K | 65K6 | 85K |
| New Zealand | 60K | 75K | – |
| 2 Applies only to flights operated by Luxair, Austrian Airlines, SWISS Air, and Lufthansa. 3 Upgrades from Economy to Business Class on Singapore Airlines are only permitted on flights without any Premium Economy. 6 Applies only to flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS Air, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and United Airlines. 7 For Europe, the award amounts apply to Miles & More members residing in the following countries whose trip begins or ends in their country of residence: Syria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and Algeria. | |||
Note
- The destinations are based on the regions determined by the timetables of Lufthansa and its airline partners available at the time of booking.
- In each case, an upgrade award applies only to the route covered by a ticket’s flight coupon.
- Award upgrade availability can vary by season, destination, and date.
- Individual awards may not be available at certain times.
- The number of miles shown above may not represent the most favorable connection for you.
SWISS Air Miles Upgrade to Business Class—Flights from Europe
| SWISS Air Upgrade to Business Class with Miles—Flights from Europe | |||
| From Europe to: | From Premium Economy (G)5 | From Premium Economy (E)5 | From Premium Economy (N)5 |
| North America, India, and Southern Africa | 20K | 30K | 45K |
| Central & South America, and the Caribbean | 25K | 30K | 45K |
| Middle East, Caucasia, Central & North Africa7 | 20K | 20K | 30K |
| Central Asia, South-East Asia, the Far East | 30K | 35,000 | 50K |
| New Zealand | – | – | – |
| 5 Only applies to Lufthansa, SWISS Air, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. Refer to www.miles-and-more.com/upgrade-reiseklasse for more info on Premium Economy Class of United Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Singapore Airlines. | |||
SWISS Air Miles Upgrade to First Class8
| SWISS Air Miles Upgrade to First Class8 with Miles | |
| From Europe to: | From Business Class |
| North America, India, and Southern Africa | 50K |
| Central & South America, and the Caribbean | 55K |
| Middle East, Caucasia, Central & North Africa7 | 35K |
| Central Asia, South-East Asia, the Far East | 65K |
| New Zealand | 75K |
| 7 For Europe, the award amounts apply to Miles & More members residing in the following countries whose trip begins or ends in their country of residence: Syria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and Algeria. 8 On SWISS Air and Lufthansa, you can upgrade from P and Z booking classes for 20K additional award miles. | |
Note
- The destinations are based on the regions determined by the timetables of Lufthansa and its airline partners available at the time of booking.
- In each case, an upgrade award applies only to the route covered by a ticket’s flight coupon.
- Award upgrade availability can vary by season, destination, and date.
- Individual awards may not be available at certain times.
- The number of miles shown above may not represent the most favorable connection for you.
SWISS Air Paid Upgrades—Upgrade for a Fixed Price
You can purchase a SWISS Air upgrade on all flights, regardless of your original tariff (except on certain dates on A321 flights from/to Tel Aviv). Such upgrades are available at a pre-determined fixed price and will guarantee you a seat on Premium Economy, Business, or First Class (subject to availability).
SWISS Air’s fixed price upgrades are available up to 24 hours before departure and can be booked post-reservation online via My bookings (Book & Manage > Manage my bookings).
- Fixed price upgrades can be purchased with all Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class fares on SWISS Air-operated flights with an LX flight number.
- Fixed price upgrades are available on both European and intercontinental routes.
- Fixed price upgrades are not available on:
- Flights originating in India
- Flights on the following routes:
- Zurich—Warsaw (Chopin)
- Warsaw (Chopin)—Zurich
- Zurich—Stockholm
- Stockholm—Zurich
- Zurich—Dublin
- Dublin—Zurich
- Barcelona (El Prat)—Geneva
- Geneva—Barcelona (El Prat)
- Group bookings with more than 9 passengers
- Bookings with in-cabin pets and extra seats (for medical reasons and/or comfort)
- If rebooking is permitted on your fare, you must rebook the original fare in the same/higher class and the fixed price upgrade amount for the new flight must be equal to or higher; if higher, the fare difference must be paid. The change fee for the original fare will apply based on the conditions of the original fare.
- Fixed price upgrades cannot be cancelled.
- The rebooking conditions will depend on the fare conditions of your original ticket relating to:
- Flight changes
- Flight cancellations
- Baggage allowance
- If SWISS Air cancels your flight or causes you to miss a connection due to a flight delay, you will be rebooked on the next available SWISS Air flight.
- If no seats are available in the upgraded class, you will be booked on Economy Class and refunded the additional price you paid for the upgrade.
- If you’re rebooked on a flight operated by a different airline, you will be transported in the originally booked travel class and refunded the additional amount paid by you for the upgrade.
- Fixed price upgrades are subject to seat availability and are not guaranteed unless you receive a confirmation.
- Fixed price upgrades are not available on codeshare flights.
SWISS Paid Upgrades During Online Check-in
You can purchase a fixed-price upgrade (non-refundable) during online check-in (less than 24 hours before departure) under the following conditions:
- When your flight’s online check-in opens
- Your flight is operated by SWISS Air or Lufthansa
- Seats in your desired travel class are available
- All passengers in a single booking must be upgraded together
Exceptions
Fixed-price upgrades during online check-in cannot be made:
- For trips involving flight extras that have been booked but not yet paid for.
- For trips where you have booked additional services (chargeable or non-chargeable) that prevent upgrades—such as if you have booked an extra seat for additional comfort, medical reasons, or for extra baggage (CBBG).
- For trips where one or more flight segments are yet to be confirmed (i.e., you’re waitlisted on one or more flight segments).
- For group bookings with more than 9 passengers.
Benefits of Fixed Price Upgrades During Online Check-in. The major benefits of upgrading to a higher travel class with a fixed price upgrade during online check-in are as follows:
- Fixed Price Upgrade to Premium Economy During Online Check-in
- Paid lounge access (if available)
- Additional legroom and space
- More comfort
- Fixed Price Upgrade to Business Class (short-/medium-haul flights) During Online Check-in
- Priority check-in (if available)
- Priority boarding (if available)
- Free lounge access (if available)
- Vacant middle seat
- Fine dining
- Fixed Price Upgrade to Business Class (long-haul flights) During Online Check-in
- Priority check-in (if available)
- Priority boarding (if available)
- Free lounge access (if available)
- Fully-flat-seat
- A-la-carte dining
- Fixed Price Upgrade to First Class During Online Check-in
- Priority check-in (if available)
- Priority boarding (if available)
- Free lounge access (if available)
- Limousine transfer (if available)
- Fully-flat-bed suite
- A la carte dining
Important. The conditions of your original flight ticket will remain the same with regard to:
- Flight change/rebooking
- Flight cancellation/refund
- Free baggage allowance
(will remain the same as before) - Accrual of miles
- Special meals
- A la carte dining
Cost to Upgrade on SWISS Air
The cost to upgrade on SWISS Air will depend on your route, cabin class, availability, and how you’re upgrading. SWISS Air offers different options for upgrading a flight, such as bidding for an upgrade or purchasing an upgrade with miles or cash.
- If you’re bidding for an upgrade, the upgrade cost will be the winning bid, i.e., whoever places the winning bid. If your bid is successful, you will be notified before your flight.
- If you’re using your miles to upgrade, the upgrade cost will depend on your route and travel class. For example, an upgrade from Economy to Business Class will cost you 10,000 miles (Economy B, Y), 15,000 miles (other Economy fares), and 20,000 miles from Economy (K, L, T) fares on flights within Europe, North/South America, Asia (Central/South-East), the Middle East, Caucasia, the Far-East, and Africa (North/Central). For details, refer to the section titled SWISS Air Upgrade with Miles.
- If you’re purchasing a fixed-price upgrade, the upgrade cost will be the pre-determined price set by SWISS Air based on seat availability and demand, among other factors.
SWISS Air Upgrade to Business Class
If you’ve booked an Economy Class or Premium Economy Class ticket, you can upgrade to Business Class by bidding for an upgrade or purchasing an upgrade with cash or miles as explained earlier. If you’re bidding for an upgrade to Business Class, you’ll know the outcome of your bid at least 48 hours before your flight’s departure.
Benefits of Upgrading to Business Class
| Upgrading to Business Class within Europe | Upgrading to Business Class on Intercontinental Flights |
| Priority check-in | Priority check-in |
| Priority boarding | Priority boarding (no waiting) |
| Complimentary lounge access | Complimentary lounge access |
| Free vacant adjacent seat (guaranteed) | 2-meter fully lie-flat seat (long-haul flights) |
| Fast baggage retrieval upon arrival | Award-winning cuisine |
| Extra award miles | Business Class mileage accrual |
| Victorinox travel kit |
SWISS Air Business Class upgrade cost
The cost to upgrade to Business Class on SWISS will depend on your flight route, cabin class, seat availability, and how you’re upgrading. If you’re upgrading with miles, the Business Class upgrade cost from Europe to North America will be:
- 35,000 miles if you’re upgrading from Economy Class (B, Y) fares.
- 50,000 miles if you’re upgrading from Economy Class (other) fares.
- 70,000 miles if you’re upgrading from Economy Class (K, L, T) fares.
For other routes, refer to the tables listed under SWISS Air Upgrade with Miles.
If you’re upgrading via bids, the Business Class upgrade cost will depend on the winning bid placed in the auction in which you participate. And if you’re making a fixed-price upgrade before or during check-in, the upgrade cost will depend on your route and the price difference set out by SWISS Air, depending on seat availability and demand.
SWISS Air Upgrade to First Class
The major benefits of upgrading to SWISS Air First Class are as follows:
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding (without waiting)
- Free lounge access (SWISS Air and Star Alliance)
- First Class armchairs that convert to fully lie-flat beds
- First-Class dining with award-winning cuisines
- First Class mileage accrual
You can upgrade to First Class by bidding for an upgrade or purchasing an upgrade with cash or miles.
- If you’re bidding for an upgrade from Business to First Class, the cost of the upgrade will be the winning bid (i.e., whoever makes the winning bid).
- If you’re purchasing a fixed price upgrade from Business to First Class on the day of travel, it can cost you anywhere between USD 1,000 – 1,800, depending on your route.
- If you’re purchasing a miles upgrade from Business to First Class, the upgrade cost will be:
- 35,000 miles for flights from Europe to the Middle East, Caucasia, Central & North Africa.
- 50,000 miles for flights from Europe to India/North America/Southern Africa.
- 55,000 miles for flights from Europe to Central/South America/the Caribbean.
- 65,000 miles for flights from Europe to Central Asia/SE Asia/Far East.
- 75,000 miles for flights from Europe to New Zealand.
SWISS Air Upgrade to Premium Economy
If you’ve already booked an Economy Class ticket, you can upgrade to SWISS Air’s Premium Economy by bidding for an upgrade or purchasing an upgrade with cash or miles.
The major benefits of upgrading to Premium Economy are as follows:
- The latest-gen seats with additional recline
- Additional comfort and privacy
- Additional legroom
- 15.6in screens
- Extra culinary selection
- Welcome drinks
- Premium Economy miles accrual
Frequently Asked Questions About SWISS Air Upgrades
If you’re planning a trip with SWISS Air and wondering about the upgrade options, look no further. This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about SWISS Air upgrades. From the different types of upgrades to eligibility requirements and how to request an upgrade, we’ve got you covered.
An upgrade to Business Class on SWISS Air with miles will depend on your flight’s route, original travel class, availability of seats, and how you upgrade—via bidding or with cash or miles. If you bid for an upgrade, the upgrade amount will depend on the winning bid (i.e., whoever bids the highest will get the upgrade). If you’re purchasing an upgrade with cash/card, the upgrade fee will depend on your route, when you book (season), and the price set by the airline.
If you’re upgrading with miles, an upgrade from Economy to Business Class from Europe to North America will cost you 35,000 miles on B/Y fares, 50,000 miles on other fares, and 70,000 miles on K/L/T fares.
You can upgrade your SWISS Air ticket through various channels, including SWISS Air’s website, mobile app, or by contacting customer service.
Yes, SWISS Air offers upgrade options using their frequent flyer program, Miles & More. Members can use their earned miles for upgrades.
Depending on seat availability, you may have the option to request an upgrade at the airport check-in counter or gate.
SWISS Air offers both cabin class upgrades and seat upgrades within the same class. Cabin class upgrades allow you to enjoy the amenities and services of a higher class whereas seat upgrades within the same class allow you to enjoy other benefits such as more legroom, etc.
The cost to upgrade on SWISS Air will depend on your flight route, seat availability, fare type, and how you upgrade (via bidding or outright purchase). It is best to check with SWISS Air for specific pricing details.
If you upgrade your flight with miles, you will still earn the miles based on the original fare class purchased by you.
Some fare classes and/or routes may not be eligible for upgrades.
Upgraded tickets are subject to the same change and cancellation policies as the original tickets. However, the upgraded fee is non-refundable.
You can upgrade a companion’s ticket if the companion is traveling on the same reservation.
Whether or not it is worth it to upgrade your SWISS Air ticket will depend on your personal preferences and travel needs.
You will receive a confirmation email if your upgrade request has been approved by SWISS Air.