Swiss International Airlines - Geneva-New York in Business Class: Swiss or BA?

I haven't flown Swiss Business since last year and BA Business in a year as well. I can't decide which carrier to take and would appreciate suggestions or opinions.

I'm flying later this month and GVA-JFK-GVA is on the A330. Unfortunately, I can't do GVA-ZRH-JFK-ZRH-GVA to try Business on the new A340. I'm not interested in GVA-ZRH-EWR-ZRH-GVA on the PrivatAir codeshare.

The other option is GVA-LHR-EWR-LHR-GVA on BA's A319 and 777. I actually don't mind arriving in EWR.

How is LX Business for meals and inflight service lately? Is the merger with LH negatively affecting the business class product?

PS: Also not interested in CO's nonstop flight to EWR.

Hello there, as I do this route regularly (GVA-JFK-GVA) I would recommend this option for several reasons. If you are based in GVA this is the shortest transit time of course. I have taken BA a few times via LHR to EWR which is a pleasant flight but the transit time is much longer due to the 1 hr time difference and the transit in LHR. Good news is that the flights are both at Terminal 4 whereas prevsiouly one had to change terminals. However security can be long (very long sometimes) and the morning transit on the return leg is not always very comfortable. Other than that the beds on BA are ok if you are not too tall but the Biz Class seats on the 330 (and the 340 once a week still i think?) are not bad at all. Ratewise I am unsure as we have corporate agreements with both airlines.

Just my 5 cent(ime)s

on a relatively short longhaul flight, I would go for non-stop every time. BA business definitely beats Swiss for comfort on this route, but once you factor in the transfer times and airport hassle, you're really much better off on Swiss.

Don't know why you're not considering Continental, by the way - best option in my opinion (and I prefer EWR to JFK anyway) and often better fares in C.

Thanks for the comments. Last month, I decided to take Swiss for GVA-JFK instead of British Airways via LHR. LX22 was a pleasant flight in Business; almost fully booked in J and about 6 pax in F. Catering was fine and service was very good - cordial, attentive, efficient flight attendants and a very friendly maitre d'cabine.

The plane was very clean and I was reminded of the fact that IMO, old style LX Business on the A330 is actually quite comfortable. While it wasn't a flat seat, I appreciated that it was a wide seat on a clean plane with 2-2-2 configuration. I've flown BA NCW on a rather dirty 744 and even with lie flat seats, that comfort factor was greatly diminished with an unclean cabin. I'm also not a fan of BA's 2-4-2 NCW 747 configuration.

As for catering, the Swiss Taste of Switzerland featured region was Canton St. Gallen. For the main course, I opted for a venison ragout which was ok. I think I should have had the sauteed pike perch escalope instead.

I got the small black amenity kit with the red Swiss logo zipper tab...not really anything special, but still happy that it wasn't the LH style nylon bag. I miss the old light brown rectangular shaped kit.

I'm still a fan of Swiss...just hoping that the airline doesn't pick up on some of the negative aspects of LH service.

How is LX Business for meals and inflight service lately? Is the merger with LH negatively affecting the business class product?


The takeover by LH has finally removed the uncertainity and the financial pressure from LX.

When lately flying longhaul with LX I noticed more generosity (drinks service), enhanced choice and better motivation of the crew.

Considering that they are only 4 flight attendants for 48 passengers in business on an A 340, they do a great job, much better than other major carriers with more staff.

I would consider it real service from real people.

I just can still not handle the flat but NOT horizontal seats, which IMHO are too hard and too narrow (I am not fat). Some cosyness would be recomforting :)