UPDATE: Since late December 2022, SWISS first class awards have been bookable once again, though only as married segments and only with United MileagePlus or Lufthansa Miles & More, not any other Star Alliance currencies.
For example, I have not seen Los Angeles – Zurich alone available, but I have seen Los Angeles – Zurich – Frankfurt with the LAX-ZRH segment booking into SWISS First (“O” class).
I’ve ticketed several reservations, so this is not phantom space. Space generally opens 2-3 days before travel.
Only time will tell if this is a permanent policy change, but it certainly would be great if SWISS First Class was again available at the last-minute on a regular basis using United miles.
My original story, from August 22, 2022, appears below. At that time, the space only appeared for one day. This time, it has appeared for nearly a week. I do not believe this is a mistake or a glitch.
For the first time in many years, I am seeing longhaul SWISS flights available in first class using United Airlines MileagePlus miles.
United Airlines MileagePlus Swiss First Class Award Availablity
Just moments ago I verified space was available from Newark to Zurich tonight–
and from Boston to Zurich–
and even from Newark or Boston all the way to Singapore with both segments in first class–
(I’d love 11 hours in the SWISS First Class E Gates Lounge)
For years, SWISS First Class award space has been restricted to Senator or HON Circle members of the Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More program. Might we finally be seeing a thaw?
The “O” class space does show up on ExpertFlyer, but that space is traditionally scraped from Miles & More sources and not an accurate indicator of Star Alliance alliance wide partner (so-called “StarNet”) availability.
This first class award space is not showing up on Aeroplan: 
or Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer website:
or on Avianca LifeMiles:
CONCLUSION
We saw recently that SWISS has begun making its Fifth Freedom flight between Sao Paulo (GRU) and Buenos Aires (EZE) available with miles…this is the first time we’ve seen a longhaul SWISS First Class flight available with United miles in many years.
In my searches, I see nothing beyond tonight…perhaps this will be for same-day bookings only? Even if it were just that, it would be a huge value-add to MileagePlus.
You can read my first class SWISS reviews here:
It would make sense to release same day booking. What do they have to lose at that point?
The exclusivity of the product when value-maximizing “av-geeks” enter the cabin and try drinking all the champagne.
Vs. others in the cabin drinking it all??? I guess people using miles are not worthy?
Well it’s not about the champagne being consumed, it’s about the way people using miles often behave. They often have this joy of “flying for free” and feel like they have to exhaust every offering and service to the max. Drink as much as you can, order as much food as you can, possibly even film the flight or make a VLOG “I FLEW $8,000 SWISS FIRST CLASS FOR ONLY $5.60”.
Of course there’s nothing wrong with taking full advantage of the first class experience, I am just saying that having these things going on on board can deter those who actually pay for the seats from booking.
Why do you think SWISS and AF only release awards in First to top-tier elites? I think it’s a form of gatekeeping.
Indeed it is and the space has all dried up…was nice while it lasted (for a few hours).
Agree. Very few people can do a same day booking for vacation.
Honest question: why would you fly United at all? I would rather stab myself in the eye with a pen. It is really that bad….
Despite the bad food, I still think UA offers a better overall product than LH or LX in business class.
Time for another lawsuit?
😉
Yes, did you ever disclose the outcome of that, or are you sworn to secrecy?
See above.
Sworn to secrecy or he lost.
Great information. Thanks Matthew.
As usual, West Coast gateways receive a pile of coal.
They also look to be full. This will be very interesting to monitor. I would be ecstatic if this was a new feature in which space opened on a same-day basis.
This would be fantastic. Did you actually try to book it though to see if it goes through? Only because I know how bad AA is with things showing up but becoming phantom in the booking process.
As soon as I see a route that looks attractive, I will! Would have really considered doing LAX-ZRH-SIN tonight if it had opened.
May I ask why you didn’t make a sample booking and then availed the 24 hour free cancellation to see if this was phantom space? Is it because you didn’t want to take a seat away from someone in case your cancellation didn’t go back into award inventory?
Honestly, that is part of it. There was one seat left to Singapore and I did not want to disturb it. I could have tried a Boston booking, but I figured we’d just let it run its course since the GRU-EZE flights in Swiss first class have been readily bookable for months with United MileagePlus.
Very nice, hope I can snag last minute 2 seats MIA-ZRH next week. Currently flying Singapore air with a stop MIA-NY-FRA. I really don’t want the stop and can’t even find Lufthansa or Swiss business on the day I can travel (without a stop).
interesting. Will keep an eye on this for next weeks random trip.
Matthew any idea on how the different airlines within ie. Star Alliance charge each other for award flights ?
No insight. It’s an interesting question.
I can confirm that there isn’t any availability on Aegean’s Miles&Bonus either. Not that it would make too much of a difference if there was availability to be honest, given that these ex-USA tickets in premium cabins carry insane surcharges with them.
Isn’t United’s FFP the one that doesn’t allow for fuel surcharges to be passed on to the customer? If so, this latest development ist huge news (and I’m kind of jealous now)! 😉
Awesome, might have to book a throwaway trip just to try Swiss F.
I’d consider a short trip too as I’ve always wanted to fly Swiss F even though it seems to get mixed reviews. I’d need to see availability on LifeMiles thoigh. Just so much cheaper.
Given the dates and original article are from last August, it’s a little tougher to gauge what’s accurate for now. For example, you speak of availability for certain dates but the illustrations that accompany the statement show completely different dates with presumably somewhat different availability. This is still good news, just a bit confusing.
Sorry, didn’t mean to confuse. I do have drag screenshots but left in the ones from August. Space is still available, even now.
Matthew, have you seen any of these from Europe to the US? I have recently joined “club Ambien” when I fly from the US to Europe, would love to experience this on the way back when I am actually awake!