Kiwi Flyer

FRANKFURT transit

On exiting the airbridge I checked the departure monitors. My onward gate is B schengen zone - a no mans land as far as first class lounges go. I had a choice of going through security to B non-schengen and deal with immigration and another lot of security on the way to the gate, or a hike to A schengen clearing immigration and security along the way with a hike back to B schengen all the while hoping passages I remember are open and possibly getting another bout of security to deal with en route. If my next flight had been on Lufthansa I'd have gone for the obvious option - clear immigration and head to the first class terminal. But I don't think I can do that on this itinerary as my next flight is neither in first class nor on Lufthansa. Of course slumming in the senator lounge wouldn't help - there is none in schengen near my gate.

I decided I couldn't be bothered hiking to A and back. The distances to walk in Frankfurt airport seem to get longer every year as new security features keep being added. In some places to get from one side of a glass window to another requires a circuitous route around fenced off areas, with a couple of doubling back loops, and much queueing and standing around waiting. So I talked my way past the security bouncer ("your flight doesn't depart from in here") and endured 50 minutes in the security queue to eventually reach the lounge only 70 minutes after I stepped off the aircraft.

First priority as usual was a shower, followed by some refreshing drinks. I then went to work on some messages only to find half the computers had been removed from the business centre and the 2 that were left were out of order. Crud. I should have gone to A after all. With no computer access at my next transfer airport I really wanted to get online here, but there now isn't enough time to haul ... to A and back before my flight. So I read some more papers and did some offline work.

Before long it was 40 minutes to departure and time (past time really given I have immigration and security to clear) to go.

Kiwi Flyer

Lufthansa
First Class menu
Frankfurt First Class Lounge
June 2011


Breakfast Buffet

freshly squeezed fruit juices

orange / kiwi-pineapple
grapefruit / carrot

smoothies

banana - lemon / strawberry / mango

Variety of different spreads

fruits / yoghurt / cereals

fresh fruits / home made yoghurt
home made muesli / selection of cereals
granola

dried fruits / nuts & Co

banana chops / apricots / raisins
cranberries / figs / dates
almonds / cashews / wasabi bouls / macadamia

homemade confitures / honey

apricot / raspberry / strawberry / blueberry
orange / nutella / diet confiture
honey

ham / cheese & Co

smoked farmer ham / bresaola
salami a la milano / Spanish fuet
"Mettwurst" / "Leberstreichwurst"

gouda / cottage / philadelphia / boursin with herbs /
pont l'Eveque

Scottish smoked salmon - Loch Fyne

horseradish cream / cream cheese
toast / bagel

butter / milk & Co

fresh farmer's butter / salted butter
yoghurt butter / diet margarine
fresh whole milk / low fat milk / lactose-free milk

free range eggs

scrambled eggs / boiled eggs / ham & eggs
fried eggs / omelette
crispy bacon / grilled ham / sausages
baked beans / roasted potatoes

Asian breakfast

spring rolls / dim sum / miso soup

from the DO & CO bakery

white bread

baguette / Tuscany style sour dough bread
rolls / ciabatta / melba toast
home made Demel-Brioche

brown bread

whole wheat bread
Pumpernickel / Finn Crisp

toast

white / whole wheat toast

freshly baked

croissants
selection of home made Danish pastries

pancakes

plain / raisin / red currant
maple syrup

coffee / tea / hot chocolate

American coffee
espresso / cappuccino / cafe latte
wide choice of tea
hot DEMEL chocolate

Kiwi Flyer

FRANKFURT to LJUBLJANA (FRA-LJU) on Adria CRJ-900 in business

Immigration was quick but security was slooow. By the time I reached the gate it was empty of passengers. I was given a delivery at aircraft tag but I'd especially brought an especially small carry on (or rather two especially small ones) with the tiny overhead bins in a CRJ in mind, and thus did not need to use it.

Every time I'd flown Adria to or from Frankfurt I'd had a remote stand, and today was no exception. We had a short wait on the bus for the last few passengers - it seemed I wasn't the only one to be held up in security.

Then a drive halfway to Ljubljana, well it felt that way.

There were 4 passengers in business, and I had an empty seat adjacent. Before the safety video a water bottle was handed out to business class passengers.

One advantage of the very remote stand is a very short taxi, so we were quickly airborne.

Breakfast was served - rather late for that I thought seeing as it was after mid morning. Fruit, bircher muesli, roll, pastry, salmon, cheese. Drinks of course.

There wasn't much of a view to be seen - a thick layer of cloud obscuring all until a few minutes before landing.

traveldealer

adria has business on small planes?

briantoronto

Euro business. Same seats with more food and bev and usually a blocked seat next to yours.

Kiwi Flyer

LJUBLJANA transit

We had an airbridge into the terminal. I had a bit an hour until boarding time for my next flight and vaguely recalled using a lounge on a previous trip when departing from Ljubljana. I wandered around but couldn't see it in the schengen area so went through immigration in the unlikely chance it was on the other side (which is obscured from view). It wasn't, so I guess the lounge is on the lower level.

I found a seat with a view and did some work while I waited.

Note the lack of transit security - a rarity these days (at least for international flying).

Kiwi Flyer

LJUBLJANA to SKOPJE (LJU-SKP) on Adria CRJ-900 in business

We had the same aircraft for this leg as I'd arrived into Ljubljana. It was a fairly full flight, except in business class where I was the only passenger. So while I was allocated the same seat I could choose to sit anywhere ahead of the movable cabin divider.

Flight was much the same as the one in - and again no views. Bottle of water before departure. Lunch - fruit, salad, cold cuts, marshmallow dessert. Drinks.

The last 10 minutes before landing we had good views flying along the valley into Skopje - high hills on either side. Skopje airport is fairly small and has no airbridges. We got a stand fairly close to the entrance.

Immigration was painless. A minor annoyance is that the exchange bureau is hidden away in between immigration and customs, with no signage.

Kiwi Flyer

SKOPJE to ZAGREB (SKP-ZAG) on Croatia A319 in business

After several days in Skopje and a nice quick side trip I was back at the airport at OMG o'clock to start the trip back.

There aren't many flights a day from Skopje. Today there would be 11 flights, four of which are due to depart early within an hour of the others.

Despite having two check in counters for our flight there was no premium check in line, and I later found out the reason. I was the only premium or elite passenger onboard. Check in was speedy and I had a couple of minutes to kill before immigration opened. Unfortunately the exchange bureau was closed at this hour, so I still have some denars to change.

Immigration and security was speedy. Airside is tiny and with 4 departures I would expect every seat to be taken as well as most of the standing space. There is a contract lounge , which is also quite small. A small selection of snacks which I pass on, and drinks, which I don't. A couple of computers so I can check messages.

Boarding started. While I was inside the terminal it had started drizzling, but currently had stopped. So I was surprised to see a bus outside the gate for the 15 metre distance to the aircraft.

The aircraft was in *A colours. I've flown the *A livery aircraft on a number of airlines. At one stage there was a requirement that 2% of each *A airline's fleet had to be in the livery, but as I've seen them less and less frequently in recent years I suspect this percentage is no longer required.

Every now and then someone sees the extra space in business and tries it on. It was never going to work on a flight with only one passenger booked in business. Do they think the crew don't know how many passengers there should be in business? Perhaps they think they can't count? Whatever, today's trier was ejected to her seat down the back when boarding was completed.

Before departure there was a drink (any drink you wish), a sweet spiced biscuit called paprenjak and a wet towel. We left a few minutes early.

Due to the drizzle there was no view and we had a few bumps on ascent until we cleared the top of the cloud. Breakfast was slightly delayed as a result.

The caterers had put two knives and no fork on my tray so I ended up with a metal knive and a plastic fork (from economy). The kiwifruit was unripe and rock hard. There were a couple of rolls and a salad (feta, olive, mozzarella and lettuce) and ham. More drinks of course.

Again no view until close to touchdown. We had a stand in front of the terminal with a short bus ride which was a bit crowded as they squeezed everyone onboard into one bus.

Kiwi Flyer

ZAGREB transit

Almost everyone on the flight was transitting to another international flight, so it took 30 minutes to clear security. Security was a waste of time as alarms were being ignored.

While in the queue I observed a traveller having problems with immigration. It seems he was connecting at Zagreb on separate tickets (ultimate destination Panama) with a short transfer, but had made the mistake of checking bags through to Zagreb. The traveller didn't understand English well but eventually the situation was resolved by the transfer desk agent going landside to get the bags and re-tag them.

The lounge had a sign on the door advising Miles & More FTL members (*S status) do not have access. Just barely long enough to sit down and it was time to head back to the gate for the next flight.

Kiwi Flyer

ZAGREB to ZURICH (ZAG-ZRH) on Croatia Dash 8 Q300 in business

I had a few options to route to and from Skopje and chose this one partly for some new routes and partly for the novelty(?) of flying between two cities with names starting with the letter "Z". The downside is I could have saved a couple of passport stamps by routing differently (via Zagreb to Skopje and via Ljubljana from Skopje). Oh well.

During the short transit the apron full of aircraft had been reduced to 2 aircraft by the early morning bank of departures of Croatia flights. A short bus ride out to the aircraft.

Again I was the only passenger in business class. We departed 15 minutes early.

Snack on offer was a roll, savoury pastry, salad, fruit and drinks.

Again no view en route due to extensive cloud cover. None on descent either until about a minute from touchdown. We arrived to a chilly (6C) and rainy Zurich. Brrrr. Of course a remote stand for the small aircraft, and a moderate bus ride around two thirds of the main terminal.

Kiwi Flyer

ZURICH transit

With a cold wet day and a lot of work to do, I opted to head for the lounge. But first I needed to check in for the next set of flights.

The immigration officer queried why I was going through immigration when my onward flight leaves from satellite terminal E (i.e. I could stay non-schengen). I said 12 hours is a bit long to spend in that terminal and he said "good point". He even managed to squeeze the stamp onto an already full page in my passport.

Transfer desk was not very busy at this hour of day but a small queue for economy and business. I sauntered up to first class desk and was distinctly made to feel like I was interrupting the agent's important reading of her magazines. A couple more boarding passes only - so I'll need to visit at least one more transit desk later on.

Then upstairs to the lounge. As usual, I was asked which time to be driven across and I selected the latest option.

I worked, nibbled and sipped a little. On one of my trips between workstation and bar I heard my name - it was chumbawumba, and we had a chat. Later I took a shower, and had time for a last drink for the road before departure.

Kiwi Flyer

ZURICH to BANGKOK (ZRH-BKK) on Swiss A340-300 in first

Escorted downstairs and go through immigration and security (belt off but liquid baggy stays in carry on). A Merc van took us to he satellite terminal and we dispersed to 4 different gates.

Boarding was well underway but had a short wait in the queues to board.

First was full tonight.

Pre-departure bubbles and canapes.

The menu, slippers and Bally amenity kit were in the seat already, and pajamas handed out. Amenities onboard are La Prairie (cf Bulgari in the lounge).

After take off I lift out the PTV only to have an annoying 10 minute Swiss promo preventing getting a quick start to the movie. If I was on Air NZ I'd already be in the last third of the movie (thanks to IFE that is on at time of boarding) by the time I get started on Swiss.

The seat was less comfortable than I remembered it. The headrest didn't go high enough and felt hard across my shoulders and neck. The small pillow (more a business or economy class size than suitable for first class) had minimal stuffing and thus was no help in making it more comfortable.

Dinner was nice. Drinks were very nice. The crew were a bit slack. My table wasn't cleared away - it was still out with dirty linen, utensils, crockery and glasses when I awoke for breakfast; at which point the dirty dishes were cleared but the dirty linen was left for me to reuse.

We followed a Lufthansa 747 in to land, and pulled up at a gate next to immigration.

Kiwi Flyer

Swiss
First Class menu
Zurich to Bangkok
June 2011

Dinner

A La Carte Menu

First Course

Fillet of Balik salmon with blinis and sour cream

Lobster cocktail with papaya salad
Cold cucumber soup with ginger and tomato focaccia

Selection of air-dried meat specialties

Lemon tagliatelle with artichokes and cherry tomatoes
(Can also be enjoyed as a main course)

Tomato and peppadew soup

Seasonal salad with grilled courgettes and yellow cherry tomatoes

Main course

Lamb loin poached in red wine
Aubergine-filled wontons and ratatouille

Chicken breast filled with Moleson sheep's cheese
Honey sauce, celeriac puree and vegetables

Poached red snapper with soya sauce and sesame oil
Turned potatoes, leek julienne and pak choi

Cheese

Selection of Swiss artisan cheese

Dessert

Chocolate hurrican with raspberry compote

Warm apricot tarte tatin with strawberry sauce
Gruyere double cream ice-cream

Sprungli pralines

Espresso and a selection of coffees and teas


Cheese

Le Gruyere AOC - Selection Rolf Beeler
This Gruyere AOC from the Beeler Selection matures in a damp storeroom for up to 18 months. As it matures, it is repeatedly rubbed down with brine, which gives it a strikingly tangy flavour. A true classic in the Swiss Alpage tradition.

Vacherin Frise Fribourgeois
This typical semi-hard cheese specialty from the Fribourg countryside is made from unpasteurised cow's milk. This firmer variety of Vacherin has a slightly tangy, aromatic flavour.

L'Armailli de Gruyere
The creamy semi-hard cheese is made from themalised cow's milk from the canton of Fribourg. The cheese is carefully matured for several months in a cool, damp cellar. It has a mild, aromatic flavour and a supple consistency.

Tomme La Fleur
Tomme La Fleur is a soft cheese speciality made from pasteurised cow's milk with a white mould rind. It has a wonderfully creamy consistency.

Fresh Goat's Cheese
This fresh goat's cheese from the canton of Vaud, made from pasteurised goat's milk, has a smooth, soft texture and matures for only a few weeks. During this time its flavour develops from mild tangy initially, to a delicate full flavour.


In the Morning

Swiss Breakfast

Assortment of breakfast breads, preserves and honey
Fresh fruits, yoghurts, muesli and cereals

Choice of egg dishes [omelette], cold cuts and cheese

Coffee, tea and juices


Wine List

Champagne

Laurent-Perrier
Grande Siecle
Champagne, France
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Perrier's prestige cuvee never specifies a vintage since it is blended from various top years. The current bottling is very, very elegant - a classic. Rather dry in the bouquet, with a wealth of aromas, hinting at pink grapefruit and coriander. A feast for the senses.

White Wine

Fichillien
2010
Cru de l'hopital
Vully, Fribourg, Switzerland
Chasselas
Christian Vessaz is a young and dynamic Swiss wine producer. This Chasselas shows a beautiful balance, good minerality and aromas of white flowers and honey. It is light in body and dry in the finish, but perfect if you are looking for a refreshing, classic Swiss white wine. Vully is one of the smallest wine regions of Switzerland and the wines are rarities. Goes well as an aperitif, with fish, vegetarian food or cheese.

Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons
2009
J. Moreau & Fils
Burgundy, France
Chardonnay
Specialists in the wines of Chablis since 1814, J. Moreau & Fils have built their reputation on a love of wine and respect for the terrior. Located just outside the village of Chablis, the house's style is to capture the purity and minerality of Chablis in each of its stunning wines. The Vaillons terrior produces wines that are rich with a generous and fresh acidity. The palate is intense with lovely roundness. The finish is dry and crisp. Perfect for starter dishes, fish, poultry or goat's cheese.

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
2010
Cloudy Bay Vineyards
Marlborough, New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc
Cloudy Bay was one of the first wine producers in New Zealand to become the ambassador for the unique quality of New Zealand's Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is dry, crisp in texture, ripe in flavour with passon fruit and pear, picking up hints of mint, green pepper and grapefruit in the fresh finish. Perfect as an aperitif or with fish.

Red Wine

Cuvee du Patrimoine
2008
Domaine des Faverges
St. Saporin AOC, Lavaux, Vaud, Switzerland
Merlot, Gamaret, Pinot Noir, Gamay
The Cuvee du Patrimoine is a medium-bodied, fruit-driven assemblage from the Lavaux region. The wine is aged in barrique and traditional barrels. It is a modern-style Swiss wine with soft tannins and a very pleasant, easy-drinking character. Goes perfectly with meat, fish and cheese.

Chateau Bahans Haut-Brion
1998
La Mission Haut-Brion
Bordeaux, France
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
This classic claret is the second wine of First Growth Chateau Haut-Brion. Part of the wine is aged in new barrels and part of it in barrels that were used for Chateau Haut-Brion. 1998 was a very elegant and classic vintage. The wine is beautiful to drink now. It is very elegant with delicate tannins and notes of plums, raisins and wild strawberries. Goes well with meat, poultry, pasta or a good book.

Shiraz Selkirk
Bremerton Wines
Langhorne Creek, South Australia
Shiraz
Australian wine critic James Halliday gave this complex Shiraz the high score of 94/100 points. It is an intense and concentrated wine experience that starts with the dark colour, developing into a spicy, fruit-driven and chocolatey palate seduction. You need to love heavy and modern wines that have a concentration normally found in Portwines. Bremerton Wines is a family owned winery in Langhorn Creek. This wine is perfect with meat.

Dessert Wine

Sauternes
2003
Chateau Raymond-Lafon
Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc
Pierre Meslier, owner of Chateau Raymond-Lafon, was the winemaker of Chateau d'Yquem for 26 years. Since he "retired" to his own property, located five minutes from Chateau d'Yquem, his Sauterne is considered one of the discovery Sauterne wines of Bordeaux. The '04 vintage has a lovely open and honey-drive nose. There are lots of raisin, caramel and fresh fruit aromas in the palate. The sweetness is not heavy but fresh and dynamic. To be enjoyed after a meal, with cheese, a dessert or on its own.

Port

Graham's Tawny
20 years
Symington Family Estates
Duoro, Portugal
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cao
A serious Port that demands attention. This 20 year-old Port has an intense, nutty bouquet, that classic Graham's richness and a concnetrated, lingering finish. It is the perfect blend of complexity and vibrant fruit, with notes of raisin jam. Very seductive. To enjoy by itself, with cheese or chocolate.


Beverages

Beers

Appenzeller Quollfrisch
Heineken
Cardinal Sans Alcool <0.5%

Aperitifs

Sherry La Guita
Campari
Bacardi White Rum
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Grey Goose Vodka

Liqueurs and Digestifs

Single Malt Whisky
The Macallan Fine Oak 18 years

Blended Scotch Whisky
Chivas Regal 18 years

Cognac
Remy Martin XO Excellence AOC Grande Champagne

Grappa di Moscato Monovitigno Nonino

Zuger Kirsch 1995 Etter

Williams Etter

Baileys Irish Cream

Soft Drinks

Still water
Sparkling water
Tonic water
Coke
Diet Coke
Sprite

Juices

Orange juice
Apple juice
Pink grapefruit juice
Tomato juice
Spicy tomato juice

Tea Selection

Darjeeling Superieur
High quality blend of Darjeeling, Assam and Ceylon teas, ideal for afternoons

Earl Grey Superieur
High quality blend of Yunnan and Keemun teas, perfumed with Bergamot oil

English Breakfast
Classic English blend of Chinese, Indian and Ceylon tea

Rooibosh Bourbon
South African tea with bourbon-vanilla, caffeine free, natural vitamin C, delicate

Gunpowder "Temple of Heaven"
Chinese green tea with rolled leaves, bitterly refreshing

Medina
Green tea mixed with peppermint, North African specialty, very refreshing

Citronelle
Lemongrass, very thirst quenching and energising


Coffee

Nespresso coffee selection
Nespresso takes nothing for granted in their quest to bring you the perfect cup of coffee. The journey begins with the selection of only the finest green coffee beans and ends with the thick "crema", rich aroma and marvellously intensive taste of Nespresso Grand Crus. Enjoy your cup of espresso, cafe au lait, cafe creme, cappuccino or an iced coffee.

Ristretto
Pure and dark roasted South Central American Arabicas make Ristretto a coffee with a dense body and distinct cocoa notes

Espresso Leggero
A delicious blend of South American Arabica and Robusta, Espresso Leggero adds smooth cocoa and cereal notes to a well-balanced body.

Lungo Forte
A complex blend of South and Central American Arabicas, Lungo Forte holds intense roasted notes with a subtle hint of fruit.

Decaffeinato
This is a light and delicate decaffeinated variety which strikes a good balance between mildness and acidity. Decaffeinato's "crema" is distinguished by its hazelnut colour and consistent texture in the mouth.

Kiwi Flyer

BANGKOK transit

Another day, another buggy ride. Shower. Drink - hmm they had a drink ready for me as I walked by the bar.

Work. Another drink.

Time flew by and it was time to go.

Kiwi Flyer

BANGKOK to SYDNEY (BKK-SYD) on Thai A340-600 in first

There was a short delay in leaving the lounge - stopped at the exit. A short walk to the gate. All carry on bags had a very cursory inspection. Then escorted past the long queue of passengers, down the airbridge stairs and into a waiting van. This was the reason for the delay - so the van would be waiting for us.

Having a van ride to the remote stand ahead of the busses for everyone else meant more time for pre-departure drinks, abetted by the crew who were encouraging us to polish off the bottle. There were just two of us in first.

Nuts and lots of bubbles pre-departure. The usual pajamas, amenity kit and slippers. I continued with my work. A lovely cold towel - much appreciated as the cabin was very humid with doors open for a very long time.

The first part of the flight was a blur of food & drink. At some stage I gave up on work and switched to watching a movie before that also become too much and I drifted off to sleep.

I awoke 45 minutes before landing and I was given a rushed breakfast. Some airlines wouldn't bother with an excuse of not enough time.

Not much of a view on final approach due to low cloud and rain at Sydney.