LX16 ZRH-JFK
(Seats 2D and 2G)
Airbus A330-200
We arrived at ZRH at 7.50 and made our way through Passport Control to the Swiss First Class lounge. On arrival we were told of the two options available to us on leaving the lounge to reach our aircraft at the E gates. We could either take the train which would mean just one security check, or a car which would mean two. I could live with a second scan and so a car it was. We would have to be back at reception for 9.15, giving us an hour and a quarter to enjoy breakfast.
At 9.15 we went to reception and along with two other passengers were escorted to a waiting Mercedes van. A fifth passenger had an S600 all to himself; later on board, I discovered he was the only HON status passenger between the five of us.
The second security screening was fairly quick despite it being the full “shoes off, laptops out, belt too sir’ experience. There was one line for First/Business and four lines for Economy. Once through, we travelled up one level towards our gate.
The gate was a little chaotic as, having arrived from the lounge, we missed the announcement that told us that we had to join the separate ‘boarding pass stamp’ queue before we tried to board. There was a long queue of people being served by two counters, one marked ‘Economy’ the other ‘First and Business’. I thought twice about whether I should just get in the queue or whether I could reasonably walk up to the First/Business counter and ask them to stamp our boarding passes. In the end I chose the latter.
Passes stamped, we joined the F/J queue. Swiss, police the queue well and the few interlopers were asked politely to join the Y queue. The separate airbridge took us to the plane with a second split available to airlines that wish to board their F passengers through a different door than C. It was not in use on today’s flight.
We boarded through 2L and were shown to our seats (2D and 2G). The cabin was almost full, 11 out of the 12 seats were occupied with 1G remaining empty. The cabin attendants took drinks orders from passengers as they sat down. I had a sparkling water knowing that there was a large lunch ahead and a selection of decent wine.
So here we were, in an international First Class cabin for the first time. My initial thoughts were that whilst the seat, its size, pitch and flatness was comparable to the SAA J seat or the NZ/VS Suite, it did feel a little more private and singular. I put our bags into the overhead bin above 2K. Like many premium cabins, the overhead bins in the centre have been removed to give the cabin a bigger, brighter feel.
The doors were closed around 20 minutes later and we pushed back and took off at approximately 10.15. Once the seat belt sign was extinguished, the crew began service with hot towels followed by a post take-off drink and nuts and/or assistance with their bed for those who wished to sleep straight away.
I took a glass of Cuvee Louise 1998 to enjoy to with a small bowl of nuts (salted cashews and macadamias). Whilst enjoying that, I was handed the menu for today’s flight and my table was put up and a table cloth laid. Moments later, a small plate of amouse followed.
The veal salami had a wonderfully deep flavour, the raclette was also tasty, however the orange coloured pudding was a little bland.
Once I had finished, my table was set. I finished off my champagne and switched to the Chablis AC 1er Cru Vaillons (Burgundy 2006).
The appetisers were brought out on a trolley and each plate served individually. I chose the Balik Salmon, veal and foie gras triangle and the potato mouselline with mascarpone and truffle.
The salad trolley followed and I opted for a simple salad dressed with bacon, parmesan and some pine nuts though there were a number of other options available.
For my main course, I selected the ‘feature dish’ of Fillet of Venison with quince and ginger jus, accompanied by a potato, leek and chanterelle galette and red cabbage with chestnuts. Sadly, it looked and sounded better than it tasted. In part, because my venison had been cooked all the way through (the chap to my right in 2K got a far pinker fillet). The quince and ginger jus was just a little too sweet for my taste. Overall, an average dish. The wine that I selected with it was excellent; a couple of glasses of Chateau La Tour Haut-Brion 1996.
The cheese trolley was laden with Rolf Beeler’s finest selection. I chose some quite strong Gruyere and a soft, nutty Reblochon. The flight attendant had got the measure of me and assumed (correctly) that I wanted a glass of Port to go with my plate of cheese.
Though almost full, there was still room for an Orange timbale with candied chestnuts (the alternative, a Meringue with Gruyere double cream in a chocolate cup with vin cuit ice cream and a pear fan was just a step too far!) In a stellar attempt to drink most of the wine list, I had a glass of Sauternes which was excellent.
My table was cleared and stowed back into the seat. Those who had taken lunch began to convert their seat into a bed aided by the crew. Whilst I assembled my bed, I was offered coffee, tea or something stronger. Having ‘sampled’ enough from the drinks menu, I opted for an espresso. Swiss have Nespresso machines onboard and it tasted much like a cup from home.
I went to the lavatory to change into the smart Swiss pyjama top which looks more like a rugby shirt. Whilst away from my seat, my espresso had been delivered and I enjoyed it (and another) before getting a couple of hours sleep. As I dozed off, I remembered that the last time I fell asleep on a plane, I was woken several hours later by my then 15 month old son trying to pat my face…
I didn’t play with the IFE, there was nothing that I wanted to watch and I had my iPod for music. Shortly after I woke up a snack was served which consisted of a variety of mini sandwiches. I had a Salmon and crème frache choux bun and an air dried beef ciabatta. This was also a good excuse to try the other red on the menu, a Swiss St-Saphorin.
A little more time passed as we filled out our Visa waiver forms and customs declaration and before I knew it, we were lining up our approach to JFK. It was a fairly short taxi to the Terminal building and the F cabin was out shortly thereafter with the crew holding C back to allow us to exit.
The HON passenger was met at the door by a Swiss employee. She was quite petite and he was much larger, so when she offered to take his bag, he grinned, thanked her and politely declined.
The Immigration hall was empty (a sight I have never seen on arrival in the US) and we were amongst the first to be processed. As we got to the baggage reclaim I spotted our first bag with the other two behind it. It had been a mere 12 minutes since we stepped off the aircraft. I could quite addicted to this…