At 07h30 on a Sunday morning, the square outside the main railway station in Basel is calm. I’m the only one making a commotion this morning as I drag my suitcase across the square to catch the 07h36 train to Zürich airport. I’ve a plane to catch at 10h25.

Getting to the Airport

The service to the airport is operated by a fairly recently acquired composition manufactured by Stadler Rail. The SBB operate the train in two configurations, one for the longer intercity services, and one for the shorter S-Bahn services. The airport train falls in the latter category in so far that while there is a designated First Class car, it‘s basically the same seating configuration as the Second Class coaches.

At the Airport

I arrive at Zürich airport just before 9. I‘ve already checked in online.

The airside terrace is open today. So instead of heading for the Senator lounge, I grab a seat outside on the deck and order myself a coffee and a croissant.

At around 09:40 I spot my flight to Warsaw coming around the corner. So I finish my coffee and make my way to the gate.

Boarding

Boarding starts on time. Seated on 1F, I figure I might as well wait. Which turns our to be the right decision because it takes about fifteen minutes for the queue in the airbridge to get moving and passengers being allowed on board.

The Cabin

The cabin is in a 2+2 configuration. There are three rows of Business Class and on each row of two, one seat is kept empty.

The seat pitch on the bulkhead row is very generous. I can nearly fully stretch out my legs.

Have you ever noticed that the LOT bird, which I think is supposed to symbolise a crane, looks a lot like the Tarom logo?

The Crew & Service

As soon as I’m seated, the cabin crew pass through the cabin offering still water or orange juice for a welcome drink.

There are three cabin crew on this flight. They all speak very good English and their interaction with passengers is friendly and relaxed.

We push back with a delay of thirty minutes due to traffic restriction en route. The crew announce a flight time of one hour and fifty minutes.

The Meal

As soon as the fasten seatbelt signs are turned off once we‘re airborne, the crew get to work. They distribute disinfectant towels and then set the tray table with crisp linen.

There‘s also a small menu distributed by the crew.

With the meal the crew offer a large selection of rolls from the bread basket.

I rather like that LOT still has proper cutlery in Business Class.

I have a Sprite to drink with the meal.

To finish the meal, I have a coffee with milk, which is served together with a choice of sweet snacks. I go for the chocolate covered wafer, which is rather tasty.

Arrival in Warsaw

As we approach Warsaw, big fat CBs start to appear, towering above us menacingly and reaching high up into the sky.

As a result, we end up taking quite a circuitous detour to the approach fix. In the distance I can see isolated, local rain showers coming down.

By the time we pull onto our stand, it‘s already 12:50 – we‘re running 25 minutes late.

I make my way to arrivals, where the driver that was sent to pick me up is already expecting me.