Qualiflyer - Swiss Eqipment between ZRH and ORD/IAD?

Due to a last minute change in plans, I had to change my upcoming MIA-ZHR-FRA and FRA-ZRH-MIA flights to ORD-ZRH-FRA and FRA-ZRH-IAD, with domestic connections on US Airways. I'm flying in First Class. Does anyone know which equipment Swiss flies on these routes and what I should expect in service? Also, what are the lounge facilities in ORD, ZRH, FRA, and/or IAD for Swiss First passengers, if any? And, are there any other benefits I should be aware of? This is my first flight in Swiss International First Class... Thanks!

ThisFlightNoFuel is flying ORD-ZRH-IAD on LX operated flight in F and asked which equipment LX flies on these routes, what he should expect in service and which lounge facilities in ORD, ZRH, IAD & FRA he can use.

LX operates an Airbus A 330-223 on both transoceanic legs. F Class has 12 seats (1/2/1 in the first three rows). If you are travelling by yourself, I recommend any A or K seat.

About F-Class Service: Being on board, it is one of those rare, supremely enjoyable experiences in the very special atmosphere and the extraordinary comfort and luxury that surround you: Excellent service, big table, a seat that transforms into a long and wide and a gastronomic feast featuring as many as eight courses (but being topped on all their transoceanic flights out of ZRH).

Relevant links:
www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000721.html (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000721.html) (threat you started late in June 2002)
http://www.swiss.com/index/sw-op-fc-comfort.htm (First Class - Travel the world in style and comfort) www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000673.html (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000673.html)
www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000580.html (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000580.html)
www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000558.html (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000558.html)
www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000548.html (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum40/HTML/000548.html)
www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ftpasttalk_forum/Forum40/HTML/000468.html (http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ftpasttalk_forum/Forum40/HTML/000468.html)

Lounges at ZRH: Arriving at ZRH, you'll find in Allegra Lounge (near Terminal A baggage claim area) all you need to freshen up, take a rest or keep in touch: showers, private resting areas, drinks, snacks, fresh fruit, newspapers, photocopiers and fax machines. Departing out of ZRH you can you the F Lounge.

I would also direct you to the second part of my trip report:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/002968.html

Chris

ZRH-ORD-ZRH is listed as being operated with an A330, but sometimes and for no obvious reason they operate it with an MD-11, where there is no built-in IFE (anymore), but you get a personal DVD player as compensation which is just as nice if not better.

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airOli (http://www.olimade.com/airoli), the Swiss Air Line. ;)

Chris, ThisFlightNoFuel will find your excellent trip report on LX F “Are you sure it's time for my Flat Bed? SWISS C and F Part II” by catwood at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/002982.html

Just returned last week from a Swiss First R/T ORD-ZRH-PMI. The Swiss lounge at ORD ( terminal 5 M12) has both a First & Bus. side. It opens at 12:30 PM for the daily flight LX 9 to Zurich leaving at 4:15 PM. Lounge has drinks and nice selection of hors d'oeuvres. Service on both trans. atlantic flights was superb. Champagne this month: Cuvee Charles Gardet Brut 1996. Flight crews were all outstanding.

Based on info. from this board we ( family of four ) used the Swiss First lounge upon arrival in ZRH then purchased a 24 hr.train/trolley pass (8 hr. layover) and spent several hours around Zurich... then back to the Swiss First lounge to wait for our flight to PMI.

Flight to PMI was on a Avro Jumbolino ( 2/3 seats across). After First to Zrh C class was a tight sqeeze as they do not leave a middle seat open on 3 seat side if the flight is full, but the meal was quite good.
Enjoy your trip!

My menu from Swiss #8 (ZRH-ORD) in F class yesterday follows (a/c was MD-11):

Champagne and White Wines
Champagne Brut 1996, Cuvee Charles Gardet, France
St. Saphorin 2001 Les Deserts, Les Fils Rogivue, Lavaux, Switzerland
Chateau Cantelys 1999 Blanc, Pessac-Leognan AC, Bordeaux, France
Chardonnay 1999 Wine Maker's Reserve, Casablanca Valley, Vina Carmem, Chile

Red Wines
Ticinello 2001 Merlot del Ticino DOC, Zanini Sulmoni, Ticino, Switzerland
Chateau La Lagune 1995 3e Cru Classe, Haut-Medoc AOC, Bordeaux, France
Rioja DOC 1994 Gran Reserva, Coto de Imaz, Spain
Wine Maker's Reserve 1998, Maipo Valley, Vina Carmen, Chile

Gourmet menu (meal #1)
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

Bream with black olive tapenade in a red pepper coulis

Filet mignon topped with a herb and Meaux mustard crust served with ratatouille and saffron 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

A selection of cheeses

Gravenstein apple in an apple juice jelly with cinnamon ice cream
Rasperry timbale with creme anglaise

Coffee-espresso-liqueurs-Swiss chocolates

A mixed salad with your choice of mustard or balsamic vinaigrette is available upon request

Market-fresh menu (meal #2, served before landing)

Salad of Chinese noodles withfinely sliced guinea fowl in green curry

Chilled cream of cucumber soup flavoured with dill

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

Panna cotta on a blackberry compote

Coffee-espresso-tea

Served upon request: Seasonal salad with vinaigrette