LX53 BOS-ZRH 24 NOV 10 (BUSINESS)
Posted: 14 Dec 2010, 23:18After 6 fabulous days in Boston staying at the Lenox Hotel (which I highly recommend) it was time to return home. I booked the hotel via VS and got a really good deal. On VS/VH look for ‘The Lenox’ rather than ‘Lenox’ as this is the cheaper AND bonus miles earning option.
As you can see Tonty and Beary made full use of the facilities and found a comfy spot on the bed and always managed to snaffle the ‘turn down service chocolates’. GRRRRRRRRR
Here they are inspecting my cabin bag!
The highlight of my trip was a visit to the new ‘Art of the Americas Wing’ at the Museum of Fine Arts. If you are in Boston for even just a short time the new wing is worth a visit in its own right. I actually delayed my trip by a week so I could visit - it was that new!
Over the preceding few days I had seen various news ‘reports’ about the chaos that would descend on one of the busiest flying days of the year due to ‘national opt out day’ where those motivated enough would demand a pat down search rather than use the ’nude o scopes’ aka the backscatter scanners. I ignored all this nonsense as I have no problems with them.
The bell hop mentioned it too as he took my bags into storage as did one of the receptionists and I was even advised to leave for the airport earlier than I intended too (6.30 – 7.00 for the 9.40 flight)
Anyway I put all thoughts of that behind me as I enjoyed my last day in Boston (other than almost getting mown down by a driver who just ignored a red light) before making my way back to the hotel. A change of clothes and a quick freshen up were needed before I hopped in a taxi to Logan. The journey was so quick it even stunned the driver and the fare was $ 20.20! which I turned into $ 25.
The terminal was almost deserted. The LX53 is the 2nd last flight to leave which probably explains it. I was called to the Business desk where I was dealt with by the LH/LX duty station manager with whom I had a friendly chat as he dealt with the formalities.
There was a priority lane for 1st/ Business pax to security but it was so quiet it made no difference. I think the staff were getting a little bored it was so quiet. I was soon through the normal metal detecting arch and as I pre-prepared myself (wallet etc into my case) I was through super quick. So I’m not sure what happened to al this opting out that was supposed to happen!
I headed to the LH/LX lounge where I passed the VS gate – boarding was on the verge of closing – and down in the lifts. I walked past the VS lounge and took a quick peek inside as the last VS pax left. Much envy!
As I reported at the time the LH/LX lounge is not much. Leather arm chairs and a grey carpet. White(ish) walls with the bar/snack area painted LH Yellow (but they probably call it gold!). Three displays of bamboo added a touch of something (certainly not paradise).
The lounge was fairly empty but apparently it can get very busy if the Munich Flight is delayed it is so small. It is so small that the even restrict access to Gold and other high status pax so they can only get in if they are actually flying 1st or Business. It only ever got about 40% full during my busy – it turned out that the business cabin was only ½ full when I got on board.
The bar selection was limited – the only sparkling stuff was cans of the usual sodas. The white wine was less than exciting so I had a couple of Sam Adams Winter Lager which is v nice (I also recommend a tour of the brewery). The food selection was some (dried) sandwiched and soup but I declined both in favour of some crisps and some pre-packaged cheese. I’d had a late lunch so was not famished.
There is free wifi but I could not get logged onto the ‘right’ network but I managed to get access too the Massport free wifi. As a break I took a walk round the terminal and the shops were staring their end of day tidy-up. I declined any purchases (including absolute Boston) as I had to pass through security again in Zurich and didn’t want to risk it.
Due to headwinds they called the flight 15 mins early – I was warned at check-in and at the lounge entrance about this. So a slow walk to the gate meant I could board straight away.
I had chosen 8K this time as it is one of the 1-2-1 rows. This meant I had a console space on both sides as the width of a ‘1’ seat is the same as a ‘2’ seat.
Welcoming drinks were soon offered as was a to be honest piss poor amenity kit and headphones. Menus were also handed out. The suite was clean and well presented. It all looked so new and in fact this was the newest LX plane and had been given a special paint job for the SFO route – though I only saw this when we landed (see picture later). Not sure why it was at BOS but I wasn’t complaining.
Dinner and breakfast orders were taken whilst still on the ground.
On boarding I noticed a baby in the 1st row of Business and as I was getting settled I started to hear crying but it was coming from Y. Economy baby cried for 5 mins before shutting up and there was not a peep from either for the rest of the flight. Nor was the sound from the dog one of the other business pax had!
We had a rapid taxi and take off so no delays there.
The IFE was soon started – no issues this time – and I settled on an episode of the Simpsons. Unfortunately the film selection was (to me) dire and the TV selection was the same as outbound.
There was a drinks run – a glass of champers found its way to me (and to a few other pax as well, unlike the outbound).
It was not long before dinner arrived. Service was a little strange as it was a mix of full service and ‘lets get this lot to sleep’!
I had
Seasonal Salad
Fillet of beef with cress butter, potato and basil gratin, sautéed mushrooms (other choices were Corn-fed Chicken / Pan Fried salmon / Butternut Squash Ravioli)
Cheese Selection + Grapes
Hazelnut Mousse + Coffee + a chocolate (oh and some port managed to slip its way onto the tray)
Champers - Brut Mosaique – Jacquart, Reims, France
Wine - Chasselas – La Colombe Fechy AOC La Cote
Port - Porto Niepoort Tawny, Niepoort Vinhos, Douro Portugal
Main cabin lights were dimmed and the CC went down and made sure that lights for unoccupied seats were turned off (have not seen VS do this) so as not to disturb pax with extraneous light. IFE screens also turned themselves off after a short period of being inactive – again not to provide distractions.
I started to watch the classic ‘North by Northwest’ but gave up and ended up watching a documentary about a particular railway line in Switzerland which was actually quite interesting.
I fiddled with the seat and found a comfy position and actually slept for a while. I re-watched part of the documentary and dozed again. Third time lucky I managed to see the end.
Whilst I slept a certain two bears decided to have a play
There was no turbulence and from what I saw the CC made regular checks on the cabin.
1 ½ hrs before landing breakfast was delivered. I had a warmed pastry and fruit. There was no hot option (so VS win on that!). The relatively early breakfast meant there was plenty of time for people to have a wash etc before the plane readied for landing.
I had not seen this on boarding (night so it was dark) but on opening the window I saw this
This is a pic of LX plane 'MJ' with its SFO paint job
Landing was smooth and we soon arrived at the gate where priority getting off was rigidly yet polity enforced. Despite the head winds we landed right on time.
With a cheery ‘goodbye’ from the CC I then made my way to catch my flight to LCY
Overall Impressions
Boston – an amazing city. Well worth a visit (it was my 2nd)
Lenox Hotel – out of this world. Old charm but with modern touches – free (fast) wifi and flat screen TVs. Located right next to the Public Library, a subway station and a (long) throw of an i-device of your choice from the apple store!
Logan – Check in efficient but very friendly. The duty station manager was Irish! Security was a breeze.
Boston Lounge – little better than a servis air lounge. It is slated for renovation and expansion
SWISS Flight – It was simply (again) excellent. Like the outbound I was very impressed with the entire experience. The seat, the cleanliness, the IFE (other than the film choice), food and the crew.
