Swiss International Air Lines officially flew the Swiss men's national football team to the championships in North America. The special aircraft, flight number LX40, took off from the national hub of Zurich-Kloten Airport and headed for the US West Coast metropolis of Los Angeles.
As the official airline of the Swiss Football Association (SFV), the Lufthansa subsidiary is responsible for the smooth transport of the entire delegation, which includes not only the players but also the coaching and support staff as well as extensive equipment.
For this intercontinental flight, the airline used a long-haul aircraft from its own fleet, specially prepared to meet the athletes' needs. On board, special arrangements were made regarding catering and cabin comfort to ensure optimal recovery for the team despite the long flight time and jet lag. Pre-departure logistics were coordinated in close cooperation between the Zurich airport authorities and the association's travel management to guarantee discreet and efficient handling away from the regular passenger flow in the terminal.
Los Angeles serves as the strategic starting point for the first phase of the team's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The team will establish its acclimatization headquarters in California. For Swiss, accompanying the national team to one of the world's biggest sporting events offers significant media exposure both domestically and internationally. The airline is leveraging this partnership to showcase its brand through marketing activities surrounding the team's sporting events in North America.
Following the national team's safe landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the wide-body aircraft was immediately reintegrated into Swiss's commercial scheduled service after undergoing regular maintenance and cleaning protocols. The contractual partnership between the airline and the Swiss Football Association (SFV) covers not only the outbound flight but also the logistical planning for flexible return flight options, the exact timing of which depends on the Swiss team's performance during the tournament.