New SWISS First Class Seats Overweight, Leads to Aircraft Imbalance

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is facing unexpected challenges with its new First Class seats, which have introduced balance issues on its aircraft.

The airline, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, has announced plans to address these issues by installing lead plates to adjust the center of gravity on affected aircraft starting in winter 2025. The upgraded First Class seats are notably heavier compared to their predecessors, creating an imbalance in the aircraft.

This weight discrepancy is causing the planes to become “nose-heavy,” particularly affecting models like the Airbus A333. To counteract this, SWISS will implement fixed installations of lead plates to correct the center of gravity and ensure safe and balanced flight.

This situation arises as SWISS’s First and Business Class seats, typically located at the front of the aircraft, contribute to this shift in weight distribution. Meanwhile, the airline is also making the seats in Economy Class lighter, further amplifying the balance issue.

Despite these adjustments, SWISS remains confident that the additional weight will not impact the airline’s ability to reach long-haul destinations. “The accessibility of the current destination portfolio is still guaranteed,” reassures the spokesperson.

The new First Class offering, named “SWISS Senses,” is set to debut on SWISS aircraft from 2025. This suite concept promises passengers an enhanced level of privacy and comfort on long-haul flights, with individual cabins designed to offer “absolute privacy.”

As SWISS prepares for this rollout, the airline is focused on ensuring that these modifications do not compromise operational efficiency or passenger experience.