Adding to its U.S. West Coast offerings, Swiss International Air Lines does not disappoint. About a year ago, SWISS launched its brand new, cutting edge premium cabins. And now, SWISS is bringing its innovation and quality service to a new North American gateway.

Extending its reach to the U.S. West Coast, SWISS will begin non-stop service from San Francisco to Zurich this month. Served by an Airbus A340, the flight will be offered six times weekly. The new service, connecting one of North America’s most important business and leisure destinations with a key business destination in the heart of Europe, will depart San Francisco International Airport at 7:25 p.m. and arrive in Zurich at 3:40 p.m. the next day. The reverse service departs Zurich at 1:15 p.m. and arrives in San Francisco at 4:30 p.m.

“By adding San Francisco to our network, we are meeting a strong demand that we have heard and felt from many major companies and a large number of leisure-travel customers,” said Harry Hohmeister, SWISS CEO. “ Actions like this show just how much drive and dynamism a healthy and competitive SWISS can provide for Switzerland, as a place to do business and as a tourist destination.”

San Francisco is the eighth North American gateway for the airline, joining Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark and Montreal. Connections from Switzerland are available to 73 destinations in 39 countries.

Leading the way for the rest of the airline world, traditional Swiss innovation, coupled with the airline’s impeccable attention to detail and hospitality, brings air travel passengers an unrivaled flight experience.

The new SWISS First is more than just a spacious seat — it’s a fully lie-flat suite-style seat, with gourmet cuisine, an extensive entertainment program and individually adjustable privacy panels. At work, at play or at rest, SWISS First is sure to please. Ample work and storage space offers travelers the chance to get work done or relax and be prepared to hit the ground running. The true standout, however, is the innovative seat design. Each seat uses first-of-its-kind adjustable air cushion technology, which allows passengers to custom-set the firmness of the seat or bed.

SWISS First passengers are pampered from beginning to end. The SWISS lounge, in Zurich Airport, offers a soothing pre-flight environment, with cozy couches and chairs, beverages and snacks and private areas for sleeping or working. Other amenities include shower facilities and convenient limousine transfers to the aircraft.

With the new SWISS Business, passengers may think they accidentally sat down in first class. Also featuring the air-cushion technology, the new business class seats include integrated massage functions, USB and iPod sockets and a larger entertainment screen. The seats are true lie-flat beds and the cabin configuration was developed to give most seats aisle access.

Outfitting the aircraft with the business-class cabins began with the new Airbus A330-300 aircraft; the A340s will be adapted with the new business-class seats this year. The new business-class seats will be onboard every intercontinental flight by 2011. SWISS has offered the new services on its long-haul New York JFK-Zurich flights since April 2009.

Not only does Swiss International Air Lines aim to please its premium passengers, the airline has also set out to become more environmentally friendly and responsible. Its new air-cushion seats are one of the lightest seats available in the industry today, weighing approximately eight pounds less than standard seats. The weight reduction will minimize consumption and will eliminate CO2 emissions by 2,000 tons.

The April 2009 launch of its new cabins coincided with the debut of SWISS’ A330-300 aircraft. Thanks to advanced fuel-efficient engines, the new aircraft uses approximately 13 percent less fuel than the A330-200 it replaced. Four A330-300 airplanes are currently in service. The fleet will contain nine by the end of 2011.

The true Swiss hospitality exuded by every member of the SWISS crew ensures that each and every passenger feels at home — even at 30,000 feet up in the air.

For more information, visit www.swiss.com.