SWISS' new Airbus A350‑900. Photo: SWISS Switzerland's flag carrier, SWISS, announced that it will discontinue duty-free sales on its flights starting September 30, 2026.
The decision was made after an extensive examination of passenger consumption patterns, which indicates a continued decline in the volume of in-flight purchases.
According to the company, more and more travelers now prefer to do their research, compare prices online, and purchase products before arriving at the airport. As a result, spontaneous purchases during the flight have become rare, and the existing model has lost its relevance.
The product offering sold so far on flights included, among other things, watches, jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics and various accessories. The current sales catalog will remain in effect until the date of cessation of operations, and in June the company will begin offering selected items at discounts starting at 25% until stocks last.
After flight sales conclude, the activity will be transferred to the Miles & More frequent-flyer club's "Worldshop" platform. This will offer a variety of products, including branded collectibles, luggage, aircraft models, and unique design items made from parts of decommissioned SWISS aircraft, as part of the SWISS Recraft collection.
In addition, other retail services on the company's flights, including the "SWISS Saveurs" food and beverage concept in economy class, will continue to operate as usual.
For aviation enthusiasts and collectors, the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 46 SWISS Limited Edition pilot's watch, developed in collaboration with Breitling, will continue to be available for purchase on select long-haul flights until the end of September. It will also be available for pre-order via the Worldshop platform.