Introduction

It’s early in the morning on a beautiful late summer’s day. It feels like a working day, though, because I’m taking my regular train from Basel to Zürich and then to the airport. The ICE train is even emptier than it usually is. I miss the first and second connection at Zürich Main Station because they’re working on the line. Still, it’s no big deal as I arrive only a few minutes later than expected, at 07h21, two hours before departure.

Check-In

The day before departure, I receive an email from SWISS for me to check in. It’s a fairly easy process. Once I’m done, I’m forwarded to a summary page with my check-in details. At the bottom of the page there’s a link inviting me to pre-order my meal choice for the flight. More out of curiosity really, I tap the link, which opens in a new page. However, to proceed, I need to go back to the app to retrieve my PNR, as this is, apparently, not copied automatically. I enter the PNR and my name, and…? At the top is a message informing that no meal selection is possible. Below that is the Economy Class SWISS Saveurs menu where I can pre-order and advance purchase items.

Oh, by the way, the Zürich Airport ZRH Club lounge that I rather enjoyed is already a thing of the past and appears to have been integrated into the airside bar and restaurant. Shame really, I rather liked it.

The Zürich Airport SWISS Alpine Lounge

Today I’ve decided to visit the SWISS Alpine Lounge. Being early on a Sunday morning, I figured this was my best chance to take photos undisturbed. That, and it has much better views than the SWISS Senator lounge, which has none.

The SWISS Alpine lounge is situated in what used to be the SWISS First Class lounge many years ago before they built the larger lounge in the midfield terminal. Although it was completely redesigned, certain elements of the original Tyler Brule branding are still visible, for example the granite murals by the entrance. Access to the lounge is via a spiral staircase next to the Swissport transfer counters.

The current style of the lounge is similar to that in the non-Schengen lounge on the D pier, with lots of wood pannelling to create a rustic Alpine chic vibe.

I manage to secure a window seat. I’m guessing that’s because the table in question looks as though the previous patrons were very, very messy eaters. But the staff are quick to clear the mess away.

The views from my seat by the window are brilliant. However, there’s a fat pipe passing in front, so that you have to sit up pretty straight to see the aircraft behind it.

The dining options are good. It’s amazing how nice and tidy everything still looks before the hoards of passengers invade.

At around 0830 thick clouds of fog start rolling across the airfield. Rather inconveniently, they’re straddling the touchdown zone for runway 14, which is in use for approaches this morning. As I sit there watching, a SunExpress climbs out of the fog, obviously having just executed a go around due to the low visibility.

Fortunately, out aircraft does not have the same issue and arrives on time from its previous mission to Arlanda.

Boarding

Boarding is surprisingly punctual and starts at 08h55. In fact, they decide to start at 08h50 because apparently, the flight is completely sold out and they’re expecting a lot of luggage. Today’s flight is operated by an Airbus A 321 that is twelve years old.

The Cabin & Seat

The SWISS A 321s are configured in a high density configuration for a maximum of 220 passengers, which means that the seat pitch towards the back of the bus is awfully tight. Fortunately, I’m seated on 1A, the bulkhead row, where the pitch is not bad. Other than that, the seat is fairly basic. There are no electric sockets, and there aren’t adjustable headrests either. There are four rows of Business Class on this flight, for a total of sixteen seats. From what I can tell, every seat is taken.

The Service & Crew

There are two small bottles of water and two refreshing towels on the middle seat for me and Mr 1C. The crew on today’s flight are just lovely, really great and very accommodating. They interact competently and with ease. SWISS has a lot of very young cabin crew (because they’re cheaper) and their interactions can be a bit awkward at times.

There’s a bit of a delay pushing back the aircraft, so that eventually, we don’t take off until 09h50. However, with a flight time of just two hours and ten minutes, the crew inform us that they’re still expecting an on time arrival.

We take off on runway 28, pointing west. We make a left turn to point us south. And then, just as we start crossing the Alps, we turn in a southeasterly direction and continue in a straight line, past Venice and down Italy’s Adriatic coastline, to Greece.

The Meal – Brunch

Once we’ve settled into the cruise, the maître de passes through the cabin taking orders. There are three options available: pancakes filled with ricotta and spinach, or scrambled eggs with spinach and a hash brown, or a sweet waffle thing. I request the scrambled eggs. Here too, the crew on this flight show how good they are. When she comes to take orders, Mr 2A orders the pancakes. A few minutes later, the maître de returns to explain that she’s only just noticed he’d ordered a vegetarian meal. She tells him that his special meal is available on board. However, she also reassures him that that it’s totally okay if he would prefer to stick with the pancakes.

Thirty minutes after take-off, the service begins. The tray is rather substantial. In addition to the hot meal, there’s a plate of cheese, a Bircher Müsli, and a bowl of fruit. The crew pass through the cabin with a good selection of rolls and croissants with butter and jam. They make two rounds with the bread basket. I ask for a coffee with milk to drink with the meal, which is served with a small chocolate.

The crew are attentive and keep patrolling the Business Class cabin during the meal. As soon as a passenger is done, they inquire if they’d like anything to drink before removing their tray.

Arrival in Athens

It’s a gorgeous day for flying, and our approach into Athens is rather scenic. As predicted by the crew, we touch down just at 13h00 local time. The airport is very busy. I count three Deltas, two Air Canadas, Qatar Airways and Gulf Air at the non-Schengen end of the terminal building.

Conclusion

This was a very pleasant flight with SWISS today. Their, or rather Lufthansa’s IT and the app are a work in progress. Other than that, though, the SWISS Alpine lounge was nice – partly also because it was so quiet. The flight was very nice. I liked the food and the crew were simply stupendous! Now I need to find my connecting flight…