LX461 LCY-ZRH 18 NOV 10 (BUSINESS)
Posted: 28 Nov 2010, 03:48This TR covers the period up to my arriving at the SWISS Zurich Business Lounge
I missed booking in the September VS sale because I dithered over whether to go to Boston or Washington DC and by the time I’d decided on Boston the sale was over and I was unwilling to wait for the next sale. In any case when it did arrive it only offered fares from after my return date.
So I hit Expedia to see what my options were in terms of other carriers and after checking prices, routes, seat maps and seat reviews I decided to fly SWISS Business Class. Checking back on my notes I saw this fare was significantly cheaper than the VS sale fare and the BA fare too for that matter. Yes I would miss out on the CH and the TPs but money is money!
So I booked via Expedia and was allocated seats with no option to change during the booking process but I set up a profile on SWISS but this told me I could only select seats at OCLI which was 23 hrs pre departure.
I actually checked OLCI at T-24 and it was open so I was able to do it. I had already completed APIS and Secure Flight within my SWISS profile. For some reason I could only check seats for my LCY-ZRH flight but as I was happy with the allocation that did not matter. The system actually mentioned something about not being able to complete the ZRH-BOS leg but not to worry I could sort that out at LCY.
Thursday morning arrived to cold and drizzle and as I was making final checks at home my car driver phoned to tell me he was going to be a little late due to the rain and the traffic. I had booked for 7.45 allowing a good 1 ½ hrs to get to LCY but I started to worry a little!
Now I don’t drive but even I could tell that there are a significant number of people who need to either (a) refresh their knowledge of the Highway Code or (b) have to take their tests again. Despite it being darkish and raining lots of cars did not have their lights on nor have any appreciation of sticking in lanes or general driving courtesy or sense.
Still despite this we made reasonable progress and arrived at LCY at 08.50 (we even had an altercation with one of the Black ‘knights of the road’ Cab drivers who thought that shouting abuse and giving my driver the finger was somehow conducive to good driving.
I found the SWISS check-in desks (no kiosks for me) but it was blocked my some Americans with rather large musical instruments. I asked if they were in the queue and being given the go-ahead manoeuvred round them to the desk where a lady (who was the musicians guide) was at the desk sorting out the entire luggage (did the plane have that much cargo room?). She then directed her band to carry the instruments to the bag drop area as I was greeted by a rather nice, cheery chap (Sealink would like him too
) who checked my passport and issued my 2 boarding cards.I mentioned the issue re the ZRH-BOS flight and he said it was not a problem just Business was full on that leg. He asked me about ESTA and I assured him it was all done and ‘API COMPLETE’ was actually printed on the 2 BPS. He handed all my paperwork back along with a £4 voucher for a coffee as there was no lounge at LCY.
I made my way up the stairs to security where I prepared by clearing my pockets of change, keys etc and put the contents into my carry-on. There were three lanes open and I was directed to the first.
I was through security quickly with no ‘beeps’. As I was belting up, the American Band was going through lane 2 and I saw the swabs being run over several of their items.
Lane 3 was more interesting as the attendant kept holding up items at the lady and asking what they were. Unfortunately for her she had to un-wrap several of the items and one was confiscated (a bottle of champers – a christening present) as I later heard her moan about ‘security’. Given that she admitted she didn’t know all the contents ‘but they are presents people asked me to take’. I think she was let off lightly.
I bought a coffee and a muffin with my voucher (so glam!) and as I finished eating it the call for boarding was listed so I slowly walked down to the gate which was getting a little full.
There was a further passport and BP check and a few minutes later we were guided onto the plane - front or back steps depending upon row. To be fair 99% of people followed this instruction except for one chap, because he was on his phone ignored the instructions but he was soon shouted at rather loudly by the gate agent and to the amusement of several of us.
The flight looked to be almost full in Economy but in Business there were 7 (then 6) of us in rows 1 – 6. The config is 2-3 but the middle seat is kept empty on the 3 side and there is a movable dividing curtain that varies the size of the W cabin.
The flight attendant came to each of us in Y with a bottle of water and refreshing wipe and welcomed us on board.
I noted that there was someone in 3A and 5A so I decided that I would move to 4F so we could all have some extra room.
The seats were leather and have 33” pitch (31”in Y other than if W is turned into Y – the first 8 rows are technically W). All are 17” wide. The seat was clean other than a few crumbs and there we no extraneous contents in the seat back pocket.
The CC made the welcome announcements (English and German) before the pilot did his (English, German and French).
A short taxi and we were soon on a steep climb before reaching our cruising altitude – but only after a couple of steep turns.
Breakfast for us W pax was brought out on trays. It was at this point the CC realised that there was an interloper in 6A who had moved there as soon as the seat belt sign had been turned off. She was obviously asked to move and did so without any kerfuffle. She was obviously trying it on and realised she had been caught!
My coffee was on the free table <=========================
The flight to Zurich passed without incident and we were soon descending towards landing which was a little bumpy.
The CC came down with a basket of choccy to which I availed myself (so I ended up with 3 as 2 came with my coffee).
We taxied to a parking area where a bus came to collect us. It was absolutely freezing and I would hate to do this if it was raining / snowing.
A few minutes later we arrived at Terminal B and I needed to find the Lounge. I had to pass through passport control into Switzerland but as I was in transit I was not stamped. A (long) walk through Terminal B – very modern, light and spacious – led me to the lounge. The American Band Leader was there and was getting access to the 1st Lounge (access through status rather than by flying 1st as she was in Y on the LCY-ZRH leg and I later saw her walking down to Y on the flight to Boston).
My BP to BOS was scanned and I was welcomed to the lounge and pointed up the stairs …
Overall Impressions
LCY - very nice little airport, obviously limited facilities but it obviously works for their target passenger (of which I as holiday maker am not one!). SWISS check-in chap very (very) nice and efficient. Security was relaxed yet got the job done.
SWISS Flight - I could have managed the 1hr 40 min flight in Econ, the plane was clean and well looked after and the crew friendly and efficient.
Zurich - the bus was a pain and initially the direction signs were not the best. If I was on a tight connection I would have been worried about making the right gate on time.
