Global Traveler: SWISS announced last spring it will be introducing an innovative business-class product. Can you elaborate?

Christoph Franz: By 2011, our entire fleet will be outfitted with a truly revolutionary product — no other airline will have a seat quite like it. We teamed up with Lantal, a Swiss company, to create a seat cushion using air technology instead of foam. Our seats will be adjustable for the passenger and will also cut down on weight, helping us save fuel. Also, they are not flammable — a great safety feature.

The new business class will also include lie-flat beds, extra room between rows, more storage space, increased privacy, a built-in massage function and an audio-visual system offering 96 channels and the capability to upload personal content.

GT: What other changes have been implemented recently?

CF: On May 9, we launched the inaugural flight to Shanghai. In June, we opened a new, expansive lounge at Zurich Airport. Our amenity kits have been upgraded, and we started an onboard menu program, Taste of Switzerland. The menu changes regularly and highlights different regions of the country.

We are moving toward making our aircraft mostly premium, introducing new products — including in-seat iPod connections — in every class. And we are always looking to add more routes, particularly in the United States and Asia.

GT: In this time of economic downturns, many airlines are cutting back. Why is it important to SWISS to improve products and services and invest in new aircraft?

CF: The record price of jet fuel and the international financial crisis pose a particular challenge to the entire air transport sector. But SWISS is not unprepared for the turbulence ahead. Our company is solid to the core. We will continue to make the strategic investments we have planned in our fleet and our product to ensure that we can further maintain our market position.

GT: Can you elaborate on SWISS’ relationship with Lufthansa?

CF: We maintain a largely autonomous identity within the Lufthansa group. As the smaller partner, SWISS is in a good position for deciding where the partnership goes. The internal competition will only help each airline continually improve. We serve a small, high-quality market and benefit from our reputation and excellent geographic location.