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type: "Article"
title: "SWISS Zurich – Singapore Inaugural Flight"
description: "For a new flight route to take off it takes years of planning! On the occasion of its inaugural flight Zurich to Singapore, SWISS provided a few glimpses"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/site-review/swiss-zurich-singapore-inaugural-flight"
language: en
translation: { lang: de, resource: "https://reisememo.ch/singapur/swiss-erstflug-zuerich-singapur-direktflug" }
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 10
tags: ["Airport", "Flight", "Review"]
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/singapore"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/zuerich"
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/museum"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/swiss-international-air-lines"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-27T19:47:53+00:00 }
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sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: swiss-zurich-singapore-inaugural-flight.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Walter Schaerer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
timestamp: 2026-07-27T19:47:53+00:00
---

# SWISS Zurich – Singapore Inaugural Flight

> A report on the inaugural SWISS Airlines direct flight from Zurich to Singapore, covering the launch ceremony, Business Class experience, and a gala dinner held in Singapore the following day.

## Destination
Singapore, with the route operating from Zurich Kloten Airport to Singapore Changi Airport.

## Getting there
SWISS Airlines operates a daily non-stop flight departing Zurich at 10:45 p.m. and arriving in Singapore at 5:10 p.m. local time (approximately 12–12.5 hours). The return departs Singapore at 11:10 p.m. and lands in Zurich at 6:00 a.m.

## Why visit
Singapore is a major destination connecting Switzerland and Asia, now served by a daily SWISS non-stop flight alongside the existing Singapore Airlines service. The convenient return schedule allows a full day in Singapore before the overnight flight home.

## What to see
- **Singapore Changi Airport** — Award-winning international airport where SWISS held an arrival ceremony for the inaugural flight.
- **Merlion near Marina Bay Sands** — Iconic Singapore landmark mentioned alongside the Marina Bay waterfront.
- **Marina Bay Sands** — Landmark complex combining a hotel, casino, art museum, and shopping mall.
- **Singapore Cruise Terminal** — Venue for the inaugural gala dinner hosted by SWISS and Singapore partners.

## What to do
- **Attend inaugural flight events** — SWISS organized gate ceremonies in Zurich and arrival ceremonies in Singapore, including a gala dinner for over one hundred guests the following day.

## Good to know
The route required CHF 300 million in investment covering studies, landing rights, aircraft, and staffing. The time difference between Zurich and Singapore is 6 to 7 hours depending on the time of year. Chef Martin Göschel, whose in-flight menus featured Graubünden specialties, can also be found at Hotel Paradies in Ftan, Switzerland.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Maitre-de-Cabine-SWISS-Erstflug-Zuerich-Singapur.jpg"
    caption: "Chief purser Claudine von Gunten"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Changi-Airport-Singapore.jpg"
    caption: "Changi Airport, Singapore"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Merlion-Marina-Bay-Sands-Singapore.jpg"
    caption: "Merlion near Marina Bay Sands Hotel"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Marina-Bay-Sands-Singapore-view-Fullerton-Bay.jpg"
    caption: "Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Casino, Art Museum, Mall"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Eingang-Gala-SWISS-Erstflug-Zuerich-Singapur.jpg"
    caption: "Entry to the gala dinner"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Gala-Tisch-SWISS-Erstflug-Zuerich-Singapur.jpg"
    caption: "Table at the gala dinner"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Moderator-Max-Loong-SWISS-Erstflug-Zuerich-Singapur.jpg"
    caption: "Moderator Max Loong in front of the Matterhorn"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Martin-Goeschel-Paradies-Ftan-Grosskueche.jpg"
    caption: "Chef Martin Goeschel from Hotel Paradies in Ftan"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/rosa-Filet-Engadiner-Bramata-Jura-Trueffel.jpg"
    caption: "Rare filet with Engadine grits and Jura truffles"
```