JohnnyUMF
Mar 2, 04, 7:55 pm
To begin...
I have not posted on FT for some time, but lately it seems that the boards have become much more friendly and supportive, which is nice! I decided to post this trip because SWISS is the airline I usually fly to TLV and I thought it appropriate since they were joining the OneWorld Alliance.
The trip began and ended very smoothly, it was wonderful to visit relatives in Israel. I shall make a few comments on the flights.
BOS-ZRH
SWISS 53
This flight is operated using the A330, which I think is quite a nice aircraft, much better than the MD-11 that SWISS sometimes have thrown onto this route. The flight itself was nearly full in all classes. I was one of the first to board and proceeded to my bulkhead seat. I find the Y class seating on SWISS to be rather cramped, but the seats themselves recline nicely, and also have a lumbar support. It's strange because I actually can sleep quite well in SWISS Y class, others have said the seats are the worst. I like the mini Y cabin right behind C class on the A330. It was very evident that service is being cut on SWISS since my last flight, which is a shame. No more 'real' glasses in Y, no more hot towels, no bottled water in the seatpocket, and no 'real' wine bottles in Y. The flight attendents were all very nice. I have always gone out of my way to ask them how they are doing, how the company is doing. I tell them that Swissair was one of my favorite airlines and that I hope that SWISS will pull through. I find that many a time these types of comments really seem to bring a genuine smile to their faces. I have always found SWISS crews to be friendly and professional. Needless to say, I fell asleep shortly after the meal service, which was a tad on the small side, although food was ok. Landing is ZRH was early, another usual experience for Flight 53. I was excited to fly to TLV aboard the brand new A340. I find ZRH airport to be very easy to navigate, clean and modern. The flight to TLV boarded promptly, no additional security at the gate. This flight was full (I am told it almost always is). I was sitting near the back of Y class. I took some time to look over the A340. I noticed in First class the seats are unchanged, except the dividers are no longer finished with wood, rather they are just tan. C class is a marked improvement over the A330 and MD-11. The desing is very clean and orderly, it looks slightly narrow and the privacy dividers could be higher from my observations. Y class has in my opinion gone more or less unchanged, tan seats, hard but very supportive and good recline. The PTV is much larger than the A330. The PTV system was actually much more advanced than most U.S airlines. The camera views were interesting. I found the tan coloring around the cabin to be a nice change, its certainly stands out, although it will show dirst and wear very easily. The A340 is a very impressive aircraft, its only a pity SWISS has to cut service and cannot offer an "MRTC" type Y class as they once did with Swissair.
Returning gave me yet another legendary experience with Israeli security. I always have a good attitude and appreciate the sincerity of the security at TLV. I feel that 'we' could learn some very good techniques, mainly I feel that the security people at TLV are more invested in their jobs. I dont want that to sound as if I am being critical of the TSA, I think its just a very different culture.
The return flight from TLV leaves at 5:30 AM to ZRH. On the weekends (Shabbot) it is operated by an A320. The A320 has very nice recaro type blue leather seats, which I think offer more legroom and comfort than any larger aircraft. I promptly fell asleep and we made very good time to ZRH. ZRH to BOS on Flight 52 was on time and full. The aircraft was clean and attendents friendly.
Overall I was always pleased to fly with SWISS, its a shame they had to cut back on things like glassware and wine bottles and the 'little' differences that made them stand out from, let's say Lufthansa or Austrian. Perhaps with expansion of the A340 they will gain some individuality back. I think that SWISS offers a very good route from North America to the Middle East, and usaully offers good pricing as well.
I apologize for not going into more details.
If anyone would like any specifics, please do not hesitate to ask.
------------------
Thanks,
John
AA GLD
[This message has been edited by JohnnyUMF (edited Mar 02, 2004).]
I have not posted on FT for some time, but lately it seems that the boards have become much more friendly and supportive, which is nice! I decided to post this trip because SWISS is the airline I usually fly to TLV and I thought it appropriate since they were joining the OneWorld Alliance.
The trip began and ended very smoothly, it was wonderful to visit relatives in Israel. I shall make a few comments on the flights.
BOS-ZRH
SWISS 53
This flight is operated using the A330, which I think is quite a nice aircraft, much better than the MD-11 that SWISS sometimes have thrown onto this route. The flight itself was nearly full in all classes. I was one of the first to board and proceeded to my bulkhead seat. I find the Y class seating on SWISS to be rather cramped, but the seats themselves recline nicely, and also have a lumbar support. It's strange because I actually can sleep quite well in SWISS Y class, others have said the seats are the worst. I like the mini Y cabin right behind C class on the A330. It was very evident that service is being cut on SWISS since my last flight, which is a shame. No more 'real' glasses in Y, no more hot towels, no bottled water in the seatpocket, and no 'real' wine bottles in Y. The flight attendents were all very nice. I have always gone out of my way to ask them how they are doing, how the company is doing. I tell them that Swissair was one of my favorite airlines and that I hope that SWISS will pull through. I find that many a time these types of comments really seem to bring a genuine smile to their faces. I have always found SWISS crews to be friendly and professional. Needless to say, I fell asleep shortly after the meal service, which was a tad on the small side, although food was ok. Landing is ZRH was early, another usual experience for Flight 53. I was excited to fly to TLV aboard the brand new A340. I find ZRH airport to be very easy to navigate, clean and modern. The flight to TLV boarded promptly, no additional security at the gate. This flight was full (I am told it almost always is). I was sitting near the back of Y class. I took some time to look over the A340. I noticed in First class the seats are unchanged, except the dividers are no longer finished with wood, rather they are just tan. C class is a marked improvement over the A330 and MD-11. The desing is very clean and orderly, it looks slightly narrow and the privacy dividers could be higher from my observations. Y class has in my opinion gone more or less unchanged, tan seats, hard but very supportive and good recline. The PTV is much larger than the A330. The PTV system was actually much more advanced than most U.S airlines. The camera views were interesting. I found the tan coloring around the cabin to be a nice change, its certainly stands out, although it will show dirst and wear very easily. The A340 is a very impressive aircraft, its only a pity SWISS has to cut service and cannot offer an "MRTC" type Y class as they once did with Swissair.
Returning gave me yet another legendary experience with Israeli security. I always have a good attitude and appreciate the sincerity of the security at TLV. I feel that 'we' could learn some very good techniques, mainly I feel that the security people at TLV are more invested in their jobs. I dont want that to sound as if I am being critical of the TSA, I think its just a very different culture.
The return flight from TLV leaves at 5:30 AM to ZRH. On the weekends (Shabbot) it is operated by an A320. The A320 has very nice recaro type blue leather seats, which I think offer more legroom and comfort than any larger aircraft. I promptly fell asleep and we made very good time to ZRH. ZRH to BOS on Flight 52 was on time and full. The aircraft was clean and attendents friendly.
Overall I was always pleased to fly with SWISS, its a shame they had to cut back on things like glassware and wine bottles and the 'little' differences that made them stand out from, let's say Lufthansa or Austrian. Perhaps with expansion of the A340 they will gain some individuality back. I think that SWISS offers a very good route from North America to the Middle East, and usaully offers good pricing as well.
I apologize for not going into more details.
If anyone would like any specifics, please do not hesitate to ask.
------------------
Thanks,
John
AA GLD
[This message has been edited by JohnnyUMF (edited Mar 02, 2004).]