Hi Dorian:

I agree, YVR is a beautiful terminal, with lots of nice services. There is also the new airport in Oslo, Norway, which is an architectural wonder - one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. I can see how, by comparison, you judge ZRH to be dull.

But, I judge airports like I judge washrooms - as long as they are clean, they work reliably, and I can get in and out fast, that's all that matters.

I mean, if one's sole goal in life is to spend as little time as possible in them - then the retail, etc. does not count for much.

At ZRH, I can put my bike in the rack outside 20 minutes before departure, and still have time to spare when I reach the gate. And I can fly back to ZRH, and be at the bike 10 minutes after the door opens (and, being Switzerland, the bike will still be there!)