Trip Reports - ZRH-LAX SWISS First Class




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RTW4
Oct 12, 02, 6:18 pm
This was my return trip on SWISS . As much as the outbound trip was excellent, this trip was even better.

Airport check in
After a great night in the Intercontinental before my flight, I arrived at ZRH where at SWISS there was a separate first class BOOTH to check in to. Not just a first class line, but a separate ROOM. Very convenient and very classy. Direct from the curb into the check in booth. I was given my boarding pass of seat 2A, and told to go to the first class lounge. For those of you unfamiliar with ZRh and SWISS lounge policies there is a FIRST and BUSINESS class lounge located on the second floor.

Lounge
The lounge was extremely serene and very classy. Immediately after entering the lounge there was a very friendly receptionist who asked me if I was hungry. I of course said yes, and a cart of breakfast cereals, pastry yogurts and cold cuts immediately appeared by my seat. I have never had this kind of treatment even in the Wing in HKG. After haveing my second breakfast, I read the paper and my gate was called.

Boarding
My gate was A 85 which was the last gate in the A corridor. I learned that tha flight was to depart 45 minutes late. I then had a couple of moments to shop in the duty free shop and of course wasted a bit of money . The flight was to be booked solid, as this is the only daily non stop flight from ZRH-LAX. I boarded the plane at 10:30 AM at found my way to seat 2A. The first class layout was a 1-2-1 configuration, same as I had on the way out. The seats as I said in previous reports are the best first class suites out there. The movable ottoman with storage space underneath is truly a wonderful idea. This first class seat is in my opinion the most comfortable of all my travels. Upon arriving at my seat, the entertainment guide was displayed as well as a bowl of nuts and the drink of my choice. The entertainment was a choice of 15 DVD, which incidentally were excellent, ranging from James Bond to present day movies to classics from the 1940s. I was very impressed. The entire First Class cmopartment was filled. All 12 seats. The taxi to the runway was very short and just prior to take off menus were handed out. Here is the menu.

Menu
First Course
Fillet of smoked salmon with sour cream
King prawn cocktail with cucumber
Finely sliced poussin and smoked duck breast terrine accompanied by a salad of marinated ceps and button
mushrooms
Melon cocktail marinated in port
A mixed salad with your choice of mustard or balsamic vinaigrette is available upon request.

All of the above were brought around by the FA on a cart. We were able to choose any or all of the above. I had the salmon which was the thickest cut of salmon I have ever seen. I also had the prawns which were very tasty.


Second course
Bream with black olive tapenade in a red pepper coulis.
This was a wonderful fish course and a fantastic introduction to the main course


Main course
Filet mignnon topped with a herb and Meaux mustard crust served with ratatouille and saffrom noodles.

Chicken supreme with a cremolata sauce accompanied by creamy carrot and turnip with polenta


Potato and vegetable tian with a tomato and basil coulis.

I had the chicken and it was fabulous. The polenta was a bit salty but the meal was quite good.

A selection of cheeses

Dessert
Gravenstein apple in an apple juice jelly with cinnamon ice cream
Raspberry timbale with creme anglaise
I had the apples which was an excellent dessert


AFTERNOON SNACK
First course
Salad of Chinese noodles with finely sliced guinea fowl in green curry
Second course
Chilled cream of cucumber soup flavoured with dill

Main course
Mediterranean-style veal roulades with a tomato olive and artichoke garnish
Leek tart

I had the cucumber soup and the veal . The veal was not very good but the cucumber soup was excellent.

Dessert
Panna cotta on a blackberry compote.

Champagne was a Champagne Brut 1996, Cuvee Charles Gardet. I did not have any liquor on this flight but it seemed as if the bubbly was flowing for the entire 11 hour and 55 miinute flying time to LAX.

The flight was fantastic. Between a nap and a few meals, this was a wonderful way to fly. Hope that you enjoyed this report...


Se


pallensf
Oct 12, 02, 6:33 pm
I loved reading your report...I long for the day that I will have such an opportunity to fly in 1st from Europe on Swiss.

Glad that your flight was all that it was supposed to be. :-)

Kindest wishes...

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Patrick A. Inouye

US1@ORF
Oct 12, 02, 7:43 pm
Your report sounds like my two trips on the former Swiss Air in First. It seems that the meal service is up to par and has not been diminished by all the economic troubles of the past year or so.

While I have not experienced Cathay or Singapore F I would say that Swiss certainly is the most luxurious way to fly with the exception being your own private jet.

I took my other twice to Europe from the east coast and we both flew Swiss Air in F. On the first trip we flew seperately and meet in Zurich. I was already in Europe on another trip and she flew over and met me for a few wonderful days in Zurich.

I have to say that was one of my best vacations. And the F class on Swiss Air was one of the reasons. I never felt like I had traveled some many hours by all the pampering.

I look forward to my next Swiss F class trip. Not sure when that might be but it is nice to know they have not lost their touch.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. Thanks for writing this great report.

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US-CP; UA PE; AA Plat; Hilton Gold VIP; Six Continents Gold


Carfield
Oct 13, 02, 3:09 pm
Excellent report! I am definitely going to save my AA miles for a LX First trip. The service looks excellent, and I agree that the LX F seats are the best. I flew SR Asia F from BKK to TPE a couple years ago, and the seat was extremely comfortable. They gave me an amenity kit and La Praire products... it is a classy operation, and the meals sounded great.

Thanks for a great report!

Carfield http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

catwood
Oct 14, 02, 11:22 am
I love these, my own trip from ZRH to BOS is still one I think about all the time. THe flight is classy, the food is unbelievable.

Thanks for the report.



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