Review: SWISS Airbus A330-300 Economy Class (YUL-ZRH)
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SWISS Economy on the Airbus A330-300 between Montreal and Zurich is worth it for the food, the friendly crew and the Aeroplan points you earn, but the 17-inch seat and tight legroom make the overnight flight long. If you can, book a Classic fare for the checked bag, pick a two-seat window row if you travel as a pair, and watch for the new SWISS Senses cabin arriving in 2026.
The direct flight takes 7 h 25 overnight to Zurich and about 8 h 30 during the day on the way back to Montreal. By choosing to fly with SWISS for my trip to Tanzania, I hoped to significantly boost my Aeroplan points balance for a future Business Class trip to Asia. I was able to accumulate 3,722 points for the round trip on these two economy flights.
| At a glance | SWISS A330-300 Economy, Montreal–Zurich |
|---|---|
| Flight time | 7 h 25 overnight (YUL–ZRH), about 8 h 30 by day (ZRH–YUL) |
| Layout | 2-4-2, 183 Economy seats on the current cabin |
| Seat | 17 inches wide, 32 inches of pitch, personal screen and USB port |
| Meals | Two meals, snacks, real cutlery, Swiss chocolate before landing |
| Baggage | None in Economy Light; 1 x 23 kg in Classic and Flex; 8 kg cabin bag |
| Aeroplan | SWISS is a Star Alliance member: you earn Aeroplan points on eligible fares |
Read my review of my flight from Zurich to Tanzania with Edelweiss and my guide to what to do during a stopover in Zurich.
Registration with SWISS
I checked in for my flights directly on the SWISS app. However, I had trouble changing my seat on the way back, perhaps because my first flight was with another airline.
Fortunately, my seat was pretty much the same as on the outward flight, so no worries there. In the SWISS app, you can also confirm your baggage drop and get a notification once your bag is loaded on the aircraft. It's a reassuring touch when you have a connection to make.
How to Earn Aeroplan Points
The easiest way to earn Aeroplan points is to sign up for one of these Aeroplan credit cards. Not only will you earn Aeroplan points as a welcome bonus, but you’ll also earn points on all purchases charged to your Aeroplan credit card.
The most popular Aeroplan credit card is the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card which currently offers the following welcome offer:
Featured
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $139
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,139
- Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months
- Up to 50,000 points
Apply Now
on TD's website
Note that you can also earn Aeroplan Points through the American Express Membership Rewards program. You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points into Aeroplan points at a rate of 1:1. 10,000 Membership Rewards points = 10,000 Aeroplan points. Many American Express Membership Rewards credit cards are available in Canada.
In my opinion, one of the best American Express Membership Rewards credit cards is the American Express Cobalt® Card. With this credit card, you’ll earn 5 Points per dollar on groceries, convenience stores, restaurants and bars. And don’t forget the gift card trick, which also earns you 5 Points per dollar at many stores, including Amazon, SAQ, Ikea and Netflix.
Here is the welcome offer currently available for this card:
- Annual fee
- $191.88
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $255
- Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months
- Up to 15,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Baggage on SWISS
In Economy, your checked baggage depends on your fare: Economy Light includes none, while Classic and Flex include one 23 kg bag. You also get one 8 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 23 cm) and a personal item. In Business, you can check two 32 kg bags. I was able to go to the kiosk at the airport to drop off my backpack for check-in and ensure that it would reach my destination (Kilimanjaro) despite my long layover in Zurich.
Once on board, I noticed that, at least from Montreal, the size and weight of cabin baggage were not checked by the staff. Is this a regular practice? It’s hard to say. My baggage arrived at the destination both on the way there and back without any issues.
Cabin and Seat – Economy Class Airbus A330-300
On the SWISS A330-300 I flew, you sit in a 2-4-2 Economy cabin: 183 Economy seats, 45 in Business and 8 in First, for 236 passengers in total. If you travel as a pair, choose one of the two-seat window rows: you won't have to climb over a neighbour to stretch your legs.
On the outbound flight, my seat was 38J, and on the return, it was 34J, both located on the aisle. Each fabric-covered seat is equipped with a tray table, a storage pocket, a USB port, and a screen.
The headrest is not adjustable, but its slightly rounded shape makes it comfortable to sit on. On the armrest, you’ll find the headphone socket (with two connectors) and some controls for the screen.
As the seats are rather narrow (17 inches), it’s more difficult to access them; it’s better to press directly on the screen to change the volume.
Both the seat width and the legroom (32 inches) are minimal, which is quite disappointing for a transatlantic flight with this airline. The entertainment system takes up space under the seat, further limiting the area available for personal belongings or even stretching your legs comfortably.
Economy Meals
One thing that doesn’t disappoint on these flights is the snacks and meals. On both of my flights, I received a snack before the meal (chips, cookies, or chocolate), two meals with one being a hot meal and the other a sandwich/pastry depending on the time of day, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Although the food served on board cannot be described as gourmet, the meals were, on the whole, quite good. There is usually a choice between a pasta dish and a meat dish, accompanied by a warm roll, a salad, and a dessert.
All served with real utensils, a rarity in economy class! If you have dietary restrictions, be sure to order your meal in advance to ensure you get what you want. Before the end of the flight, passengers are offered a chocolate, which is a nice touch.
On-Board Service
On both my outbound and return flights, the flight attendants were not only courteous and smiling, but above all, there to meet passengers’ needs.
Upon arrival at your seat, a blanket and pillow are provided for your comfort. I didn’t have any specific needs during my flights, but I regularly saw the crew moving through the cabin, offering water and collecting waste after the snack and meal services.
In-Flight Entertainment on SWISS
On board the Airbus A330-300, each economy class passenger has their own screen in the seatback in front of them. The Audio Visual on Demand (AVOD) system, provided on a somewhat older Panasonic device, allows passengers to watch a variety of movies and TV series.
The selections are quite varied, including new releases and classic favorites. However, the audio quality leaves something to be desired, likely due to the dual-connector headphones provided by the airline after takeoff.
On the screen, you'll also find all flight information, as well as controls for volume, light and flight attendant service. SWISS also offers an in-flight Wi-Fi service, which I haven’t had a chance to try out.
My verdict: would I fly SWISS again?
I had flown with SWISS in the past and, from memory, my flight was much more comfortable than these last two. The seats in economy class are very small and not very comfortable for such long flights. So I was rather disappointed, given this perhaps unfounded expectation.
Despite that, the entertainment and the snacks and meals were quite decent, so my flights went smoothly. I had the option to bid for an upgrade before departure. However, the minimum price was very high: equivalent to the cost of my round-trip ticket to Tanzania, considering the exchange rate with the Swiss franc.
If you ever have the chance to opt for a higher seat category for this route, you’ll likely enjoy the journey much more, that’s for sure. Would I fly with SWISS again? Certainly, especially because of the opportunity to accumulate Aeroplan points. However, my expectations would probably be lower regarding the cabin and overall comfort.
Read our other reviews with SWISS:
Featured
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $139
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,139
- Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months
- Up to 50,000 points
Apply Now
on TD's website
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the SWISS flight from Montreal to Zurich?
The nonstop flight takes about 7 h 25 min overnight to Zurich, and around 8 h 30 min during the day on the way back to Montreal, because of prevailing winds.
What is the SWISS baggage allowance in economy class?
In economy, you get one 23 kg checked bag, except with the Economy Light fare, which includes none. Every fare includes an 8 kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 23 cm) and a personal item. In business class, the allowance rises to two 32 kg bags.
How many Aeroplan points does a SWISS flight earn?
SWISS is a Star Alliance member, so you can credit your flights to Aeroplan. My Montreal-Zurich round trip in economy earned me 3,722 Aeroplan points. The exact number depends on your ticket's fare class.
Are meals included in economy class?
Yes. On each of my flights, I received a snack, two meals including one hot meal, plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at no extra cost. If you have dietary restrictions, order your special meal in advance.
Is there a power outlet and Wi-Fi on board?
Each economy seat has a USB port to charge your phone, but no power outlet. SWISS also offers an on-board Wi-Fi service, SWISS Connect, which I did not try.
Is the Airbus A330-300 cabin changing?
Yes. SWISS is gradually installing its new SWISS Senses cabin on its Airbus A330-300s from 2026, with new seats in every class and a new Premium Economy cabin. Depending on the aircraft assigned to your flight, you could fly in either the old or the new cabin.
How can I pay for a SWISS flight with points?
You can book a SWISS award ticket with Aeroplan points, since SWISS is part of Star Alliance. To build up those points, you can use an Aeroplan credit card or transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.