Swiss International Airlines, the flag carrier of Switzerland, has announced it will introduce the new wide-body Airbus 330-300 on its Mumbai-Zurich route, starting 2 September and on the Delhi-Zurich route from13 October 2009.

The airline said the new long-haul A330-300 sets new standards of in-flight comfort in all three seating classes.

According to Swiss, while the Economy Class offers substantially more legroom, the Business Class offers an air-cushioned seat that can be turned into a two-metre lie-flat bed. The First Class offers a ''suite above the clouds.''

The new long-haul aircraft also features a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system that offers a vast range of movies in all the three classes, along with over 40 TV channels and more than 300 music CDs.

Indian cities are amongst the first to receive the brand new A330-300 service from Swiss, apart from New York and Dubai.

According to Dr Holger Hätty, chief commercial officer, Swiss International Air Lines, ''We are committed to the Indian market and continuously strive to transform the in-flight experience for our customers by bringing world class comfort for them. The induction of the new aircraft on the Indian routes is an appreciation to our loyal Indian patrons.''

Swiss is investing over $1 billion to add eleven new A330-300 aircraft to its fleet in the period 2009 – 2011. By 2011, SWISS aims to be the only airline in the world offering a First Class on all its long-haul routes.

Swiss joined hands with Swiss market leader Lantal, a Swiss-based company that is a global market leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of textiles for transport applications, with a particular focus on the international airline community, to induct a revolutionary air cushion technology in aircraft seats. The innovative air cushions allow the passenger to customise their seats to have the firmness of a futon or softness of a waterbed.

Moreover, the reduced weight of the seats due to the air cushions brings down the fuel consumption of the aircraft.

The First Class and Business Class offers the two-meter long fully horizontal lie-flat beds for maximum comfort and more personal space.

First Class customers also enjoy the facility of an on board Ottoman – a large guest seat with backrest and armrest that allows them to hold meetings, work or dine with a companion. The improved in-flight entertainment facilities in Business Class offer large screens of 16:9 format and plugs for USB and iPod.

Business Class seats are equipped with massage function.

The Economy Class will offer new comfortable seats with improved in-flight entertainment system for a relaxed flying experience.

Swiss currently offers 10 non-stop flights from India which are part of its network of 90 destinations in 42 countries.

Its current services include five non-stop flights every week, which connect Mumbai to Zurich and another five non-stop flights connecting Delhi to Zurich.