Swiss A320 Business Class ZRH-ARN
The original plan had me on an Air Canada 787 back to North America. Then when I booked the AC 787 on another trip, I changed this return to SAS so I could try out their new Vantage XL business class seat. (Turns out I flew SAS on that Air Canada trip as well and either option is a great way to fly.) But since now I had the SAS flight, I needed to get to Stockholm. Swiss 1250 would take me there.
Having checked in using the Swiss mobile app I cleared immigration and headed to the lounge. Most airport stores sell luggage, duty free liquor and cigarettes. Not in Zurich. Every watch maker in the country has a retail store in this airport.
With the top spot as you enter going to their custom 777 watchmaker, Breitling.
This day happened to be the grand opening of a flight simulator sponsored by Breitling for public use.
It didn't work.
Off to the lounge for some breakfast.
Some gruel and meat.
And dinner rolls.
Narrow selection of fruit.
As it turns out flying to Stockholm eliminated my chance to see the new lounges in the International terminal at Zurich airport.
This was a pleasant lounge. Large, with wooden floors and Swiss chalet half timber architecture.
Smokers upstairs.
No airfield views but a nice place to pass some time.
This is how you know you are getting travel weary.
My first flight a couple months earlier on SAS was from Copenhagen to Peking. SAS has two main hubs, Copenhagen and Stockholm, with today's flight being out of the later. My boarding pass stated the flight left at 11:50AM.
Copenhagen was out of gate A54, one of the bus gates in the Schengen terminal. It was a zoo.
Here comes the bus and there goes Etihad to AUH. Gorgeous plane.
Boarding commenced on time for the 11:50AM flight. I showed my electronic pass and the reader beeped. The boarding agent took my phone and went to her computer. She came back quickly, Ah, Sir, your flight is to Stockholm, this flight is to Copenhagen. Gate 66 please.
How embarrassing. It turns out both flights left at 11:50. I just picked the wrong city.
Red faced I weaved my way out of the zoo between all 100+ people waiting to board to COPENHAGEN.
Swiss' A320 is today's vehicle.
Economy seat.
Business Class seat
Business class entertainment
Standard A320 which practically everyone who's ever flown has flown.
What's the point of the report then?
This.
Ten widebody trips, one A320 regional trip. Sixteen meals. Best one?
Here you go.
Food is subjective. Some might not even like chicken. But if you've been to a German beer hall where they serve that outstanding rotisserie chicken which is a little salty, tender, moist and flavorful, then you want this dish. I was just missing the beer. Add in the accompaniments and that little wild blueberry cheesecake and it was 5 star to me.
Instead to finish a truly excellent lunch.
And
My dual flights with Swiss, an 11 hour journey on their new 777-300 flagship versus a 2 hour regional A320 flight within Europe had an improbable outcome. Maybe I just was unlucky on the 777 flight and typically it's better. And maybe I got the crew meal on the A320 flight when normally it's not that good.
But in my contest the A320 flight was a clear cut winner, at least on the food.
And to be sure, I made it to the right airport.
Carrier: Swiss
Date: September 2016
Route: ZRH-ARN
Flight #: LX1250
Aircraft A320 #HB-IJB:
Class: Business
Seat(s): 2A
On Time: Yes
Reward Flying Rating: 4.8 out of 10 ✈
Food Rating: 8 out of 10 ✈
Do you have any Swiss experiences you'd like to share? Feel free to leave a comment.
