SWISS ZRH-GVA-JFK in Economy, back in FIRST
Jan 14, 2003, 7:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: CH, D, USA
Posts: 1,729
SWISS ZRH-GVA-JFK in Economy, back in FIRST
Because FlyerTalk was down yesterday I couldn't post earlier. Sorry.
---
I just got back from a quick trip to NYC. Due to many controversial posts on the Qualiflyer board regarding food service in SWISS economy class in general, as well as food quality for SWISS first class ex USA, I will try to give the food some special attention ...
ZRH-GVA LX2804 Saturday 11.1. A321
As usual always, no lines at passport control in Zurich's terminal A. So after a quick luggage scan, on to a short stop at the SWISS clubmember lounge. With Swissair's furnishing I find the lounge to be functional and fairly nice. Nothing spectacularly elegant, but OK indeed. I like the free alcohol, I like the (though expensive) wireless internet and the free internet terminals, and I like the showers. Staff is usually very friendly and helpful if one is friendly to them. Unfortunately the lounge can be quite overcrowded during busy hours.
Security was without a line, but the long line at the gate indicated a very full flight. I asked how it looked: Fully booked in business and three open seats in economy. So no operational upgrade for me today. No big deal, anyway, on a 30 min flight. Service was self service for economy passengers - with the introduction of the winter time table, drink service in Y was eliminated and replaced by self service at the gate. They had a roll-around kiosk with a Nescafe machine, bottled water, brownies, cookies, apples and lemon cake. I had a coffee, a brownie and a lemon cake. It was all quite OK. While the crowd was boarding, I relaxed, drank coffee and read the new Travelclub program guide. What a shame that upgrades are getting so much more expensive. (See Qualiflyer forum.) Newspaper selection (self service at the gate) was good.
The flight was uneventful - the FAs only came around to hand out chocolates and refreshing towels. Cloudy weather - thus no good view. Clean landing in GVA.
GVA-JFK LX22 Saturday 11.1. A330
I had an hour until boarding started, which I spent at the GVA Clubmember lounge. A really nice, new lounge. Stylish furniture, free internet, helpful staff, and best of all - free modem lines for laptops. So I drank a tomato juice and got work done. 25 min before departure - boarding hat started at least 15 minutes ago - I headed towards the gate. Entering the passway to C concourse, I almost fainted. The line was about 300 meters long! Very, very unusal. I guess it was the end of skiing vacation in great britain ... Darn! I asked two or three folks if they were going to New York, got a "no" and snuck in the tailwater of a police officer making his way to the security checkpoint. I got there within incredible five minutes - everybodey giving me looks, I asked the screener if I could cut the line since my flight was closing in five minutes, and was allowed to. I got to the gate - and it was deserted. First I thought I had missed the flight, then I noticed boarding was still going on. Actually, 2/3 had boarded, and the other 20 people where stuck in the line. The flight was wide open. So no upgrade. But: I got a whole row. So I got settled in my four seats in the middle (all to myself) and did some more work, until boarding was completed 20 minutes later. They passed out refreshing towels before take off. Newspapers had been self service at the gate. About 20 minutes after take off they came with the first drink service - they had champagne in economy class, which I enjoyed. Together with a Swiss Mix cracker bag, which was OK. Some time later, probably 15 min, they came around with a second round of drinks and the meal service. I had a glass of californian Chardonnay served from a regular 7dl bottle. It was not spectacular, but quite drinkable. Sorry I missed the winery. The meal was a choice of chicken or pasta. I opted for the chicken, and got a nice piece of chicken meat in a fine tasting sauce (I think it was roasted chicken), with risotto and fresh-tasting vegetables. It was served in an aluminum disposable plate, but it looked fancier that what american gives you because of the oval form and a porcelain-imitation plastic plate beneath. On the tray I also had a salad - fresh, OK, but not spectacular in any way - and a tasty, tiny peach fruit cake along with a porcelain-imitation plastic cup for the coffee. Oh, and a Camembert. They came around with rolls - they were warm. I was impressed by the quality of the food - everything tasted good, better than the usual airline food. But the quanitity was not very large. The cake, the camembert and the cups are the same types they use in intra-european business class as well. I found the food not quite as good and not as much as with old Swissair, but very acceptable, and a lot better than US airline's stuff. They came around with a third round of drinks during the meal service, and after that with coffe. I think I had a SWISS assemblage of Pinot Noir, which also was very solidly OK but not spectacular. Inflight entertainment was on personal screens (movies start at the same time). I watched some movie about a Tennessee clothes designer living in New York getting engaged with the mayor's son, then going back home to get divorced from a high school husband. Well, she eventually never got divorced and stayed down there after the wedding fell in the water. OK dinner entertainment. After the movie I worked my laptop till it was dead. Everybody hat a little water bottle in their seat, so with four bottles I didn't pay attention if there were any further drink services. Oh, by the way, the FAs were all excellent. No other way to put it. Friendly, courteous, brought me a new glass for the red wine, ... And when my batterie was dead and I asked them to plug it in with my plane charger, the friendly steward did so in business class while I grabbed two hours of sleep. I love having four seats next to each other. Enough room for pillows, blankets, books, folders, laptop and food at the same time. And best of all, a lie flat bed perfect for a good nap. Even though two american college girls had a loud conversation with a lot of laughter on an intimate subject concerning a whole variety of college football players (maybe they thought nobody else speaks english ...), I got a solid nap. Five minutes before my alarm was to go off the FA woke me up and gave me my fully charged laptop. I got to work, and five minutes later I was offered a choice of cheese or turkey sandwiches, together with drinks. Sandwich was tasty. I ordered a genuine swiss Appenzeller beer, which had run out on my side of the galley. He promised to bring it in a moment. A couple of minutes later, still no beer. So I asked his collegue. Seconds later I had my Appenzeller - and another few seconds another one which they solicited me in a friendly way to keep. So I was happy. He had not forgotten after all. Shortly thereafter we started our descent, I packed things up, deplaned quickly enough to avoid any lines at immigration and within minutes was meeting my brother (I only had one carry on). A very good flight. With four seats next to each other I felt comfortable not having upgraded with miles, even though I now decided on burning them for upgrades as long as there affordable. (FYI, Europe to the US will cost 35'000 instead of 25'000 after March 1st. From C to F it will even be 45'000 instead of 30'000).
I'll try to post the return flight in first class (and business GVA-ZRH) later on today - at least I hope to get to it later on.
Edited to add that my computer screen just started cracking up, so there might be a delay ...
[This message has been edited by ch_usa (edited 01-14-2003).]
---
I just got back from a quick trip to NYC. Due to many controversial posts on the Qualiflyer board regarding food service in SWISS economy class in general, as well as food quality for SWISS first class ex USA, I will try to give the food some special attention ...
ZRH-GVA LX2804 Saturday 11.1. A321
As usual always, no lines at passport control in Zurich's terminal A. So after a quick luggage scan, on to a short stop at the SWISS clubmember lounge. With Swissair's furnishing I find the lounge to be functional and fairly nice. Nothing spectacularly elegant, but OK indeed. I like the free alcohol, I like the (though expensive) wireless internet and the free internet terminals, and I like the showers. Staff is usually very friendly and helpful if one is friendly to them. Unfortunately the lounge can be quite overcrowded during busy hours.
Security was without a line, but the long line at the gate indicated a very full flight. I asked how it looked: Fully booked in business and three open seats in economy. So no operational upgrade for me today. No big deal, anyway, on a 30 min flight. Service was self service for economy passengers - with the introduction of the winter time table, drink service in Y was eliminated and replaced by self service at the gate. They had a roll-around kiosk with a Nescafe machine, bottled water, brownies, cookies, apples and lemon cake. I had a coffee, a brownie and a lemon cake. It was all quite OK. While the crowd was boarding, I relaxed, drank coffee and read the new Travelclub program guide. What a shame that upgrades are getting so much more expensive. (See Qualiflyer forum.) Newspaper selection (self service at the gate) was good.
The flight was uneventful - the FAs only came around to hand out chocolates and refreshing towels. Cloudy weather - thus no good view. Clean landing in GVA.
GVA-JFK LX22 Saturday 11.1. A330
I had an hour until boarding started, which I spent at the GVA Clubmember lounge. A really nice, new lounge. Stylish furniture, free internet, helpful staff, and best of all - free modem lines for laptops. So I drank a tomato juice and got work done. 25 min before departure - boarding hat started at least 15 minutes ago - I headed towards the gate. Entering the passway to C concourse, I almost fainted. The line was about 300 meters long! Very, very unusal. I guess it was the end of skiing vacation in great britain ... Darn! I asked two or three folks if they were going to New York, got a "no" and snuck in the tailwater of a police officer making his way to the security checkpoint. I got there within incredible five minutes - everybodey giving me looks, I asked the screener if I could cut the line since my flight was closing in five minutes, and was allowed to. I got to the gate - and it was deserted. First I thought I had missed the flight, then I noticed boarding was still going on. Actually, 2/3 had boarded, and the other 20 people where stuck in the line. The flight was wide open. So no upgrade. But: I got a whole row. So I got settled in my four seats in the middle (all to myself) and did some more work, until boarding was completed 20 minutes later. They passed out refreshing towels before take off. Newspapers had been self service at the gate. About 20 minutes after take off they came with the first drink service - they had champagne in economy class, which I enjoyed. Together with a Swiss Mix cracker bag, which was OK. Some time later, probably 15 min, they came around with a second round of drinks and the meal service. I had a glass of californian Chardonnay served from a regular 7dl bottle. It was not spectacular, but quite drinkable. Sorry I missed the winery. The meal was a choice of chicken or pasta. I opted for the chicken, and got a nice piece of chicken meat in a fine tasting sauce (I think it was roasted chicken), with risotto and fresh-tasting vegetables. It was served in an aluminum disposable plate, but it looked fancier that what american gives you because of the oval form and a porcelain-imitation plastic plate beneath. On the tray I also had a salad - fresh, OK, but not spectacular in any way - and a tasty, tiny peach fruit cake along with a porcelain-imitation plastic cup for the coffee. Oh, and a Camembert. They came around with rolls - they were warm. I was impressed by the quality of the food - everything tasted good, better than the usual airline food. But the quanitity was not very large. The cake, the camembert and the cups are the same types they use in intra-european business class as well. I found the food not quite as good and not as much as with old Swissair, but very acceptable, and a lot better than US airline's stuff. They came around with a third round of drinks during the meal service, and after that with coffe. I think I had a SWISS assemblage of Pinot Noir, which also was very solidly OK but not spectacular. Inflight entertainment was on personal screens (movies start at the same time). I watched some movie about a Tennessee clothes designer living in New York getting engaged with the mayor's son, then going back home to get divorced from a high school husband. Well, she eventually never got divorced and stayed down there after the wedding fell in the water. OK dinner entertainment. After the movie I worked my laptop till it was dead. Everybody hat a little water bottle in their seat, so with four bottles I didn't pay attention if there were any further drink services. Oh, by the way, the FAs were all excellent. No other way to put it. Friendly, courteous, brought me a new glass for the red wine, ... And when my batterie was dead and I asked them to plug it in with my plane charger, the friendly steward did so in business class while I grabbed two hours of sleep. I love having four seats next to each other. Enough room for pillows, blankets, books, folders, laptop and food at the same time. And best of all, a lie flat bed perfect for a good nap. Even though two american college girls had a loud conversation with a lot of laughter on an intimate subject concerning a whole variety of college football players (maybe they thought nobody else speaks english ...), I got a solid nap. Five minutes before my alarm was to go off the FA woke me up and gave me my fully charged laptop. I got to work, and five minutes later I was offered a choice of cheese or turkey sandwiches, together with drinks. Sandwich was tasty. I ordered a genuine swiss Appenzeller beer, which had run out on my side of the galley. He promised to bring it in a moment. A couple of minutes later, still no beer. So I asked his collegue. Seconds later I had my Appenzeller - and another few seconds another one which they solicited me in a friendly way to keep. So I was happy. He had not forgotten after all. Shortly thereafter we started our descent, I packed things up, deplaned quickly enough to avoid any lines at immigration and within minutes was meeting my brother (I only had one carry on). A very good flight. With four seats next to each other I felt comfortable not having upgraded with miles, even though I now decided on burning them for upgrades as long as there affordable. (FYI, Europe to the US will cost 35'000 instead of 25'000 after March 1st. From C to F it will even be 45'000 instead of 30'000).
I'll try to post the return flight in first class (and business GVA-ZRH) later on today - at least I hope to get to it later on.
Edited to add that my computer screen just started cracking up, so there might be a delay ...
[This message has been edited by ch_usa (edited 01-14-2003).]
Jan 14, 2003, 11:12 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: FRA
Posts: 2,175
ch_usa,
thank you for your report!
seems swiss has an excellent service in the back of the plane!
i hope you manage it to post the 2nd part soon, as i love reports on swiss first so much. i just transferred some MR points into swiss points last year to be able to make this experience myself soon.
thank you for your report!
seems swiss has an excellent service in the back of the plane!
i hope you manage it to post the 2nd part soon, as i love reports on swiss first so much. i just transferred some MR points into swiss points last year to be able to make this experience myself soon.
Jan 14, 2003, 11:14 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,181
You were lucky to have gotten the "prized" chicken dish. On 2 flights between GVA and JFK they ran out of chicken and we were forced to eat the spaghetti which was "vile."
If you go to airlinemeals.net (January 12th) you will see an interesting report with pictures of LX catering on long and short flights between Dresden and Hong Kong via Zurich.
In regards to US airlines, in my opinion the food served on American Airlines in Y transatlantic flights is way better than Swiss Airlines.
If you go to airlinemeals.net (January 12th) you will see an interesting report with pictures of LX catering on long and short flights between Dresden and Hong Kong via Zurich.
In regards to US airlines, in my opinion the food served on American Airlines in Y transatlantic flights is way better than Swiss Airlines.
Jan 21, 2003, 2:08 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: CH, D, USA
Posts: 1,729
I'm really sorry I couldn't post earlier. Fortunately, my laptop screen is replaced now and I have a few minutes, so here we go:
I upgraded my Y class ticket (youth fare) at the time of purchase to C, and asked at the LX ticket counter in JFK wether it would be possible to upgrade last minute to F. At first, I got a positive reply, since I am a Travelclub Gold member. When he went in my reservation to process I was told it's a no-no on already upgraded tickets. He insisted there was absolutely no way to be in First. Buy full C Class now and then yes. From a ticketing agent's point of view he was correct. But he didn't need to be so nasty - I was as friendly as can be ... JFK staff (except for the lounge) always is very rude or at least impolite.
Anyway, I said Hi to the nice lounge lady that recognized my face (even though it's been more than a month since my last flight) and went to the C class side. I really enjoy having free internet access. There was quite a good Sherry out, so I had some of that. Boarding was a half hour later, right on time. Finally they have introduced separate lines for C and F class at the security check. Excellent. Last time I flew first (with old Swissair) I was escorted together with two other F PAX to security because the lines were horrible. Not so today. Screening was, luckily, uneventful.
At the gate, I kindly asked the supervisor about a first class upgrade, informing them I had already used miles to go to C. I told them with old Swissair, they had forms on board where it didn't matter how you got seated in C - if you were Travelclub you could use miles to upgrade. She tried to do it in the computer, it didn't work, and she told me to tell the Maitre de Cabine it was OK with her.
There I was - on my way to first class with SWISS. The MC told my any seat in the first row would be fine, and that we would take care of the paperwork later. I picked 1A - my coat was hung and I took care of my carry-on.
Then, the steward from my outbound flight (who did my side of Y) came around and looked extremely surprised to see me. Very cool to have the same crew going back. We had a nice chat, and the whole crew was extremely nice throughout the entire flight. I really had some nice conversations.
OK, after covering the basics - here goes the flight. (Sorry it took me so long to get here).
Right after beeing seated I got a wonderful glass of Champagne, a 96. Along with that, a quite large bowl of warm nuts. I got seconds sip as soon as my glass reached 50%.
The F flight attendant was at least 50, with a flashy gold neclace. She had worked for Swissair 32 years (and felt like she still was working for the same airline, as far as she told me ...). The MC and a younger FA helped her with the service - the younger one had actually served me on a C class flight a couple of weeks ago.
Service from the older FA was perfect. The younger one must have just started working first, as she was not quite sure about where knife and fork went or what was being served.
The amenity kit was a beige cloth bag containing a very stylish (with metal parts) clothes defuzzer and a quite cool hairbrush. Along with that came toothbrush, earplugs, eyeshades and socks. Oh, and slippers. (Quite nice, I took them ...)
Soon after take-off I was served a nice amuse-bouche, which I unfortunatly can't remember. (A scallop, I think.) Together with a red martini on the rocks. Hmmmmm .... What a good start.
ADDED LATER:
The meal is commented below (in the menu). As for the service, the appetizers were served from a serving cart (not Y-class style) and arranged on the plate by the FA. They really did that with love - but as I said, the younger one was not quite as routined as the older one, but very polite and friendly. They did come through with the cart a second time. The main course was served to my place. The desert and the cheese came once more from the cart. I do love the extremely large table - about the size of a dining car table on a train. It is nice to have enough room to work on your laptop (power supply is available, of course), to watch a movie and to eat gourmet style at the same time. After dinner my bed was made and I went to get a solid four hours of sleep - not bad after a movie and a wonderful meal service. One negative thing: The restroom seemed to constantly be occupied by the FA's or the pilots. Wow, did they ever take their time ;-)
After having slept wonderfully I woke up 30 minutes in, on my own. (It was really nice that they would have let me sleep to the very last moment.) I still got a double espresso (Nespresso, good as usual) and a breakfast bread that was a little bit dry I think. The fruit did look good, but I passed due to lack of time. (Got freshened up and 15 min. later was on the ground).
I used the first class lounge in GVA waiting for my connection to ZRH. The JFK first lounge is nicer, IMOP. There was only Bircher Muesli or yoghurt in bowls available as food (other than the packed stuff that's also in C class lounge). In JFK I remember they had fine Hors D'Oevres ...
My flight to ZRH (25 min) in C was uneventful, with selection of breads (very good) served along with coffee from a porcelaine cup. I won't describe the service in detail, but it definitely was excellent for such a short flight. BTW, the view was exorbitant. A wonderful panorama view of the valais and bernese alps as well as the french alps, lake Geneva and I think Bern.
Overall, it was an excellent experience, that is hard to be topped. I would imagine food service from ZRH would really be better, having an additional warm appetizer. Also, the main courses would probably be more creative as well as the desert. But in general a solid, good meal, much better than C - while not really haute cuisine. This I would probably expect ex ZRH.
In short: A very recommendable service!
Here's the menu:
First course:
Maine lobster with turnip salad and cocktail sauce (My choice, I went for seconds ... juicy and tasty, spicy turnips. Cocktail sauce was not very creative or special, though.)
Grilled vegetable salad served with a roasted tomato dressing and olive oil (Looked good.)
and/or
Salad with Balsamico Dressing (I stayed with the lobster.)
and/or
Hot Soup of the day (I didn't try this one).
Main course:
Seared filet of beef in a roasted shallot sauce with potatoes and vegetables (My choice - steak perfectly done, very lean and very tasty. Condiments could have been arranged with more of an artistic touch. Good but not Michelin top-noth style.)
Risotto with a cioppino seafood stew
Triangoli mushroom ravioli in a Chablis sauce accompanied by asparagus and roasted tomatoes
Cheese selection: Nice selection, but nothing spectacularly old or rare. I had goat, sheep and Gruyere. I liked them all.
Dessert:
Fruit tart. Clearly the least interesting. Not bad, but not exciting at all.
Breakfast:
Fresh fruit, yoghurts, breads, espresso. (I always skip breakfast.)
Champagne:
Champagne Cuvee Speciale 1996, Nicolas Feuillatte, blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. A very stylish chamagne that leaves absolutely no room for criticisme.
Aperitifs:
Various brand-names, nothing really special.
White wine selection:
Malanser Riesling x Sylvaner 2001, Bovel, Fam. Donatsch from Malans, Switzerland. This is the one I had. Very tasty, fairly fruity, clean finish, nose not very strong. I liked it.
Chateau de Chantegrive 2001, Cuvee Caroline, Graves Blanc AOC, Bordeaux, France. 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Semillon.
Chardonnay 2001, Yarra Valley, Greg Norman, Australia.
Red wine selection:
Mayenfeld Blauburgunder 2000, Schloss Salenegg, Mayenfeld Switzerland.
Chateau du Tertre 1997, Grand Cru Classe, Margaux AC, Bordeaux France. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot.
I had this one. Excellent wine. Wonderful, strong nose, full-bodied, fruity but still fine aroma of red fruits, long-lasting taste, strong finish. I loved it. Two out of four other PAX did too (I think they went through three bottles ...).
Magnifico D'Istinto 1998, Calatrasi, Sicily Italy. 50% Nero d'Avola, 20% Syrah, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet-Merlot 1999, Limestone Coast Coonawarra, Greg Norman, Australia, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot.
Desert wine:
Late Harvest Riesling 1998, McLaren Vale, Pirammima Wines, Sout Australia. This was my last drink for the evening. A nice, sweet finish for my wonderful meal.
[This message has been edited by ch_usa (edited 01-24-2003).]
I upgraded my Y class ticket (youth fare) at the time of purchase to C, and asked at the LX ticket counter in JFK wether it would be possible to upgrade last minute to F. At first, I got a positive reply, since I am a Travelclub Gold member. When he went in my reservation to process I was told it's a no-no on already upgraded tickets. He insisted there was absolutely no way to be in First. Buy full C Class now and then yes. From a ticketing agent's point of view he was correct. But he didn't need to be so nasty - I was as friendly as can be ... JFK staff (except for the lounge) always is very rude or at least impolite.
Anyway, I said Hi to the nice lounge lady that recognized my face (even though it's been more than a month since my last flight) and went to the C class side. I really enjoy having free internet access. There was quite a good Sherry out, so I had some of that. Boarding was a half hour later, right on time. Finally they have introduced separate lines for C and F class at the security check. Excellent. Last time I flew first (with old Swissair) I was escorted together with two other F PAX to security because the lines were horrible. Not so today. Screening was, luckily, uneventful.
At the gate, I kindly asked the supervisor about a first class upgrade, informing them I had already used miles to go to C. I told them with old Swissair, they had forms on board where it didn't matter how you got seated in C - if you were Travelclub you could use miles to upgrade. She tried to do it in the computer, it didn't work, and she told me to tell the Maitre de Cabine it was OK with her.
There I was - on my way to first class with SWISS. The MC told my any seat in the first row would be fine, and that we would take care of the paperwork later. I picked 1A - my coat was hung and I took care of my carry-on.
Then, the steward from my outbound flight (who did my side of Y) came around and looked extremely surprised to see me. Very cool to have the same crew going back. We had a nice chat, and the whole crew was extremely nice throughout the entire flight. I really had some nice conversations.
OK, after covering the basics - here goes the flight. (Sorry it took me so long to get here).
Right after beeing seated I got a wonderful glass of Champagne, a 96. Along with that, a quite large bowl of warm nuts. I got seconds sip as soon as my glass reached 50%.
The F flight attendant was at least 50, with a flashy gold neclace. She had worked for Swissair 32 years (and felt like she still was working for the same airline, as far as she told me ...). The MC and a younger FA helped her with the service - the younger one had actually served me on a C class flight a couple of weeks ago.
Service from the older FA was perfect. The younger one must have just started working first, as she was not quite sure about where knife and fork went or what was being served.
The amenity kit was a beige cloth bag containing a very stylish (with metal parts) clothes defuzzer and a quite cool hairbrush. Along with that came toothbrush, earplugs, eyeshades and socks. Oh, and slippers. (Quite nice, I took them ...)
Soon after take-off I was served a nice amuse-bouche, which I unfortunatly can't remember. (A scallop, I think.) Together with a red martini on the rocks. Hmmmmm .... What a good start.
ADDED LATER:
The meal is commented below (in the menu). As for the service, the appetizers were served from a serving cart (not Y-class style) and arranged on the plate by the FA. They really did that with love - but as I said, the younger one was not quite as routined as the older one, but very polite and friendly. They did come through with the cart a second time. The main course was served to my place. The desert and the cheese came once more from the cart. I do love the extremely large table - about the size of a dining car table on a train. It is nice to have enough room to work on your laptop (power supply is available, of course), to watch a movie and to eat gourmet style at the same time. After dinner my bed was made and I went to get a solid four hours of sleep - not bad after a movie and a wonderful meal service. One negative thing: The restroom seemed to constantly be occupied by the FA's or the pilots. Wow, did they ever take their time ;-)
After having slept wonderfully I woke up 30 minutes in, on my own. (It was really nice that they would have let me sleep to the very last moment.) I still got a double espresso (Nespresso, good as usual) and a breakfast bread that was a little bit dry I think. The fruit did look good, but I passed due to lack of time. (Got freshened up and 15 min. later was on the ground).
I used the first class lounge in GVA waiting for my connection to ZRH. The JFK first lounge is nicer, IMOP. There was only Bircher Muesli or yoghurt in bowls available as food (other than the packed stuff that's also in C class lounge). In JFK I remember they had fine Hors D'Oevres ...
My flight to ZRH (25 min) in C was uneventful, with selection of breads (very good) served along with coffee from a porcelaine cup. I won't describe the service in detail, but it definitely was excellent for such a short flight. BTW, the view was exorbitant. A wonderful panorama view of the valais and bernese alps as well as the french alps, lake Geneva and I think Bern.
Overall, it was an excellent experience, that is hard to be topped. I would imagine food service from ZRH would really be better, having an additional warm appetizer. Also, the main courses would probably be more creative as well as the desert. But in general a solid, good meal, much better than C - while not really haute cuisine. This I would probably expect ex ZRH.
In short: A very recommendable service!
Here's the menu:
First course:
Maine lobster with turnip salad and cocktail sauce (My choice, I went for seconds ... juicy and tasty, spicy turnips. Cocktail sauce was not very creative or special, though.)
Grilled vegetable salad served with a roasted tomato dressing and olive oil (Looked good.)
and/or
Salad with Balsamico Dressing (I stayed with the lobster.)
and/or
Hot Soup of the day (I didn't try this one).
Main course:
Seared filet of beef in a roasted shallot sauce with potatoes and vegetables (My choice - steak perfectly done, very lean and very tasty. Condiments could have been arranged with more of an artistic touch. Good but not Michelin top-noth style.)
Risotto with a cioppino seafood stew
Triangoli mushroom ravioli in a Chablis sauce accompanied by asparagus and roasted tomatoes
Cheese selection: Nice selection, but nothing spectacularly old or rare. I had goat, sheep and Gruyere. I liked them all.
Dessert:
Fruit tart. Clearly the least interesting. Not bad, but not exciting at all.
Breakfast:
Fresh fruit, yoghurts, breads, espresso. (I always skip breakfast.)
Champagne:
Champagne Cuvee Speciale 1996, Nicolas Feuillatte, blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. A very stylish chamagne that leaves absolutely no room for criticisme.
Aperitifs:
Various brand-names, nothing really special.
White wine selection:
Malanser Riesling x Sylvaner 2001, Bovel, Fam. Donatsch from Malans, Switzerland. This is the one I had. Very tasty, fairly fruity, clean finish, nose not very strong. I liked it.
Chateau de Chantegrive 2001, Cuvee Caroline, Graves Blanc AOC, Bordeaux, France. 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Semillon.
Chardonnay 2001, Yarra Valley, Greg Norman, Australia.
Red wine selection:
Mayenfeld Blauburgunder 2000, Schloss Salenegg, Mayenfeld Switzerland.
Chateau du Tertre 1997, Grand Cru Classe, Margaux AC, Bordeaux France. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot.
I had this one. Excellent wine. Wonderful, strong nose, full-bodied, fruity but still fine aroma of red fruits, long-lasting taste, strong finish. I loved it. Two out of four other PAX did too (I think they went through three bottles ...).
Magnifico D'Istinto 1998, Calatrasi, Sicily Italy. 50% Nero d'Avola, 20% Syrah, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet-Merlot 1999, Limestone Coast Coonawarra, Greg Norman, Australia, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot.
Desert wine:
Late Harvest Riesling 1998, McLaren Vale, Pirammima Wines, Sout Australia. This was my last drink for the evening. A nice, sweet finish for my wonderful meal.
[This message has been edited by ch_usa (edited 01-24-2003).]
Jan 21, 2003, 3:20 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,295
Sounds excellent, thanks for sharing. Were the miles for C=>F ever deducted from your account? You know, I'm still hoping to do that run next weekend and you just gave me some very tempting ideas... 
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airOli, the Swiss Air Line.
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airOli, the Swiss Air Line.
Jan 21, 2003, 1:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Burlingame, CA
Programs: TK Miles & Smiles, CM ConnectMiles, AA Advantage
Posts: 2,129
Thanks for the detailed report.
The only flaw I see with SWISS F/C service is that only 1 dessert is offered. I noticed that when I flew from MIA-ZRH and back. Otherwise it is a magnificent product.
The only flaw I see with SWISS F/C service is that only 1 dessert is offered. I noticed that when I flew from MIA-ZRH and back. Otherwise it is a magnificent product.
Jan 24, 2003, 10:27 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: CH, D, USA
Posts: 1,729
They don't officially allow double upgrading. But when you do it on board it's not a problem at all. But you coulnd't upgrade on board Y to F, only Y to C or C to F. Therefore Y to C has to been before the flight, and C to F on board. (Therefore no access to F class departure lounge ...)
Jan 25, 2003, 8:16 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,295
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Nanook:
Quick question...does Swiss offer the Bose headsets to passengers in Business? </font>
Quick question...does Swiss offer the Bose headsets to passengers in Business? </font>
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airOli, the Swiss Air Line.