SWISS has been spending heavily on the passenger experience, and some of that investment is now coming to its home airport.
The airline announced plans to open new Business and Senator Lounges at Zurich Airport (ZRH) in the first quarter of 2027. Combined, the new lounges will span around 28,000 square feet (2,600 square meters), giving SWISS a lounge footprint that’s about 20% larger than the three lounges it currently operates in Dock A.
SWISS said last year that it invests around CHF 1 billion annually in improving the travel experience. So far, that investment has been most visible in the air. Last year, the airline debuted its new SWISS Senses cabins on the Airbus A350. And more recently, it kicked off a lengthy retrofit process to bring the new onboard product to its Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s as well.
But while that’s happening, SWISS is continuing to focus on the ground in Zurich.
New SWISS Lounges Are Coming to Dock B
The new Business and Senator Lounges will take shape in Dock B, where they’ll occupy separate floors of a building on the southern side of the dock.
There’s a reason they’re moving. Zurich Airport is preparing to replace Dock A, and the new building at Dock B will temporarily house some of the infrastructure displaced during construction.
The five-story modular building will initially include lounges and bus gates, along with some Airside Centre logistics. Construction began in May 2025, and the opening is expected in early 2027.
Inside, both lounges will feature more seating and dedicated areas for working and relaxing. Across the two spaces, SWISS plans to offer around 20 fully soundproofed workstations.
Large windows should bring plenty of natural light into both lounges.
The Senator Lounge will get a few extras of its own. A bar along the windows will offer a 180-degree view of Runway 34, the apron, and the Alps. SWISS also plans to add a wine humidor and a dedicated maturation room for selected cheeses and cured meats.
It doesn’t get much more Swiss than that.
The Existing Dock A Lounges Will Close
Once the new spaces open in the first quarter of 2027, the current Business and Senator Lounges will close, along with the SWISS Alpine Lounge.
The Alpine Lounge offers a more casual take on the SWISS lounge experience, with chalet-inspired design and an open kitchen.
But the concept isn’t disappearing entirely.
SWISS confirmed to Points Insider that while the Alpine Lounge won’t continue as a standalone lounge, selected elements will carry over to the new lounges. The airline says the Alpine Lounge will also serve as inspiration for the new spaces.
The First and HON Circle Lounge will stick around a little longer. SWISS plans to keep it open in Dock A until 2028, when it will also move to Dock B. The airline hasn’t shared details about what that lounge will look like.
Meanwhile, Zurich Airport expects construction on the new Dock A to begin in 2027. It will be built just north of the existing dock, allowing the current facility to remain open until the new one is ready.
For passengers, the end result is what matters most. Starting next year, there will be more room to work, eat, or watch airplanes before a SWISS or partner flight from Zurich.
And apparently, somewhere for the cheese to mature, too.