Swiss International to name 20 A220 aircraft after tourist destinations

Switzerland has a long tradition as a tourist destination. Some even consider it the birthplace of modern tourism in the 19th Century.

So, it should come as no surprise that Swiss International Airlines has joined forces with Switzerland Tourism, the country’s tourism promotion agency, to name part of its fleet after Swiss tourist destinations.

This initiative, which is one of the ways in which the carrier will mark its 20th anniversary, will see 20 Airbus A220, both in its –100 and –300 versions, renamed in this fashion.

To choose the names, SWISS and Switzerland Tourism invited towns and resorts from across the Helvetic Confederation to submit their proposals. A panel designated by the two entities was then tasked with selecting 20 names from the more than 50 entries submitted. Creativity, originality, authenticity and connection to the SWISS airline brand were reportedly the criteria used during the selection process.

The result is a cross-section of the geographic and cultural diversity of the country. Here is the list of winners, arranged by canton (as is the norm in Switzerland):

Canton Aargau: Bad Zurzach, Rheinfelden
Canton Bern: Haslital
Canton Fribourg: La Gruyère
Canton Glarus: Braunwald
Canton Grisons: Lenzerheide, Val Surses, Viamala
Canton Lucerne: Sempach, Willisau
Canton Schwyz: Brunnen, Morschach
Canton Solothurn: Solothurn
Canton St. Gallen: Rapperswil-Jona
Canton Ticino: Mendrisio, Verzasca
Canton Uri: Andermatt, Rütli
Canton Valais: Nendaz, Saas-Fee

Three of these places – Bad Zurzach, Nendaz and Viamala – have been selected to enjoy the additional distinction of getting a physical naming ceremony. Two of these will take place at Zurich airport (ZRH) and the other at Geneva (GVA).