SWISS Unveils Schaffhausen Inflight Dining Experience

SWISS International Air Lines has partnered with the Michelin-starred restaurant Villa Sommerlust to launch a Schaffhausen-inspired inflight dining menu starting September 2, 2026, for long-haul routes departing Zurich and Geneva.

SWISS Taste of Switzerland: Schaffhausen Edition

SWISS continues to highlight Switzerland's diverse regional gastronomy through its "SWISS Taste of Switzerland" program. Starting September 2, 2026, and running for three months, long-haul First, Business, and Premium Economy Class passengers departing Zurich and Geneva will sample dishes inspired by the northern canton of Schaffhausen.

The exclusive menu was developed by the culinary trio from Villa Sommerlust—Chefs Alejandro Perez Polo, Dan Rodriguez Zaugg, and Katiuska Villalba Paredes. Housed in a restored 17th-century villa located beside the Rhine River and near Schaffhausen's historic Old Town, Villa Sommerlust is the canton's only Michelin-starred restaurant. SWISS Chief Customer Officer Heike Birlenbach stated that the menu combines classic craftsmanship with fresh ideas, reinterpreting regional ingredients for international audiences.

Multi-Cabin Gourmet Menu Offerings

The canton-themed menu features customized dining selections tailored to different travel cabins:

First Class: Travelers can start with a prawn salad and spicy corn soup. Main options include Catalan fish soup with clams, red snapper, and mojo rojo; beef short rib bourguignon with mustard jus, bacon crumble, and truffled parsnip purée; or lobster and scallops served with goat cheese beurre blanc. The meal ends with caramel flan accompanied by espresso ice cream.
Business Class: Selection starts with smoked salmon tartare served with Andalusian gazpacho, kimchi mayonnaise, and quail egg. Main dishes include tender beef short rib with mustard jus, mojo verde, Anna potatoes, and baby zucchini; or hake served with green sauce, fried rice, and furikake. Dessert is a pistachio tartlet featuring fresh berries and pistachio crumble.
Premium Economy Class: Focuses on traditional specialties, offering "Fleischvogel" (beef roulade filled with vegetables, served with polenta bramata and glazed chestnuts). The cheese course showcases local "Holzhofer" and "Tannhütte Chäsli" cheeses paired with Swiss pear bread. The meal concludes with a chestnut cake and vanilla whipped cream.

SWISS Taste of Switzerland Inflight Menu: Schaffhausen Canton (Fall 2026)

Cabin Class / Category	Signature Dish & Ingredients	Strategic Local Gastronomy Focus
First Class Appetizer	Prawn salad with spicy corn soup	Blends fresh seafood with regional spices
First Class Main Course	Lobster and scallops, goat cheese beurre blanc	Premium marine assets with artisan cheese
Business Class Appetizer	Smoked salmon tartare, gazpacho, quail egg	Reinterprets traditional cold starters
Business Class Main	Beef short rib, mustard jus, mojo verde, Anna potatoes	Slow-cooked meat paired with fresh green sauces
Premium Economy Main	"Fleischvogel" beef roulade, polenta bramata	Traditional Swiss comfort food heritage
Premium Economy Cheese	Holzhofer and Tannhütte Chäsli, pear bread	Showcases cantonal dairy products
Villa Sommerlust Chefs	Alejandro Perez Polo, Dan Rodriguez Zaugg, Katiuska Villalba	Michelin-starred culinary trio

Destination Specialist Local Insider Tips

To help travelers explore Swiss culinary heritage, local specialists recommend the following insider tips:

Visit Villa Sommerlust in Schaffhausen: If your travel plans include Switzerland, dine at the physical restaurant beside the Rhine River to experience the full menu in its historic 17th-century setting.
Pre-Select Special Meal Requirements: Premium class travelers can request specialized dietary menus through the SWISS website up to 24 hours before long-haul departures.
Explore Schaffhausen’s Old Town and Rhine Falls: Combine a dining trip with a visit to Europe's largest waterfall, the Rhine Falls, located just minutes from the historic town center.
Sample Local Pinot Noir Wines: Schaffhausen is known for its excellent vineyards; pair your inflight dining with a local Pinot Noir if available on the beverage cart.
Buy Holzhofer Cheese in Swiss Specialty Markets: If you enjoy the Premium Economy cheese course, visit local cheese shops in Zurich or Geneva to buy Holzhofer cheese to take home.

Future Outlook

Incorporating regional culinary specialties into premium inflight services helps promote Switzerland's lesser-known cantons. By linking global air networks with Michelin-starred establishments like Villa Sommerlust, SWISS supports destination marketing boards, introducing international travelers to the history, landscape, and food traditions of Schaffhausen.