The recordings will be used solely to train the AI application in the boarding process. It must be able, for instance, to distinguish whether a passenger is carrying an infant in their arms, and must also function faultlessly even in challenging lighting conditions.
SWISS is to trial the use of artificial intelligence to conduct its passenger count during boarding on selected flights between April and June. The new approach should both enhance security and ease the workload of its cabin personnel. SWISS will be putting a top emphasis on data security and data protection in the new procedure, and will ensure its full compliance with Europe’s and Switzerland’s strict data protection laws throughout the trial process.
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) plans to conduct a three-month trial together with an external partner of using artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct its passenger count during the flight boarding process. The digitalization of the passenger count procedure is intended to enhance security and simultaneously ease the workload of the airline’s cabin personnel. To these ends, on selected SWISS flights from Zurich between April and June, a camera will be temporarily installed in the cabin for the boarding process, to record passengers as they embark and determine their total numbers.
The recordings will be used solely to train the AI application in the boarding process. It must be able, for instance, to distinguish whether a passenger is carrying an infant in their arms, and must also function faultlessly even in challenging lighting conditions. Results will be constantly analyzed throughout the trial phase to steadily improve the AI’s reliability. In view of the new approach’s trial nature, the cabin crew will also conduct a parallel passenger count using the established manual procedure on the flights concerned.
Data security and data protection assured
SWISS attaches the highest importance to data security and data protection. All the recordings made will be processed in full compliance with the strict European (GDPR) and Swiss (FADP) data protection provisions, and will then be deleted. The data recorded will be used solely for passenger count purposes. No persons will be identified from them. In addition, only visual images will be recorded, and only in the aircraft door area. No further recordings (such as audio) will be performed.
Passengers on the flights concerned will be informed of the trial before they embark. After the trial is concluded, SWISS will analyze the results and then decide on the further course of action as well as on a possible introduction.
SWISS opens new-look Non-Schengen Lounge at Zurich Airport
SWISS is also reopening its Non-Schengen Lounge in Zurich Airport’s Terminal D. Extending over 650 square metres, the fully refurbished lounge offers travellers a comfortable retreat with appealing views of the airport’s apron activity and the Alps beyond. The lounge is available to all Business Class and First Class travellers along with Senators and HON Circle members of SWISS and the Lufthansa Group, and Business Class travellers on further Star Alliance airlines.
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is further expanding its range of lounge facilities at Zurich Airport with the opening of the newly-refurbished SWISS Non-Schengen Lounge in the D Gates area. The lounge is located within the airport’s transfer zone, and offers its visitors a wide range of attractions over its 650 square metres. With spectacular views of the airport apron and the distant Alps, travellers can enjoy a broad selection of food and drinks in superior yet comfortable surrounds as they wait for their departing flight.
“I am delighted that we can again offer our travellers in Zurich Airport’s non-Schengen zone a lounge experience with outstanding service quality that fully meets all our premium aspirations and caters to the diverse needs of our customers,” says SWISS Head of Brand Experience Julia Hillenbrand. “With its colours and its materials, our restyled lounge gives our guests a new and enhanced sense of comfort and well-being.”
The new lounge’s concept blends design facets of the existing SWISS lounges with new accents and top-quality materials. Bright wood features combine with discreet Swiss slate elements and soft claret tones to welcome the visitor and provide a warm ambience that invites the traveller to stay, rest and enjoy. The combination of natural elements and muted colours is also in harmony with the ‘SWISS Senses’ design.
The new lounge features various zones to meet its visitors’ varying wishes and needs. The bistro offers a wide range of food and beverages, with meals freshly prepared on-site with a particular focus on fresh, healthy and varied cuisine. A further lounge zone offers the opportunity to work without disturbance or distraction, with three closed workstations and three open workplaces for maximum productivity. And for visitors seeking simply to relax and recuperate, the rest zone provides an optimum ambience to do so with its comfortable wing chairs. Showers are also available for anyone wishing to freshen up before their flight.
The SWISS Non-Schengen Lounge at Zurich Airport is open daily from 05:30 to 22:00, and can accommodate up to 160 guests. The lounge is available to all Business Class and First Class travellers along with Senators and HON Circle members of SWISS and the Lufthansa Group, and Business Class travellers on further Star Alliance airlines.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
