On this subject, without wanting to start a new thread, I did a wonderful flight on a Helvetic Airways wetlease yesterday from Zurich (ZRH) to Sion (SIR). The plane was full, save for two seats, by what looked like a bunch of plane spotters with yellow tinted glasses (were any of you lot among them by the way??). There were some families too, plus tourist looking types with rollaboard carry ons and everyone was very happy. Service was lovely from a friendly crew, and I have never before received an inflight service pack of sun cream and after sun cream (small samples)! A full drinks service was offered, and I enjoyed along with my neighbour (who was going understandably crazy with his camera) a Swiss chasselas white wine.

Weather was pretty grim and unusually overcast in Sion, with snowflakes wafting down. Sion was in full carnival mode, with Guggenmusik everywhere and a big procession. The flight itself was spectacular despite the poor weather, even though I didn't have a window seat. The plane seemed to head down the Mittelland then bank left, heading in over the peaks of the Berner Oberland. Somewhere over Konkordiaplatz, we started banking right to line up with Gomstal in the Oberwallis (upper Valais canton area). From there it was a vaguely nerve wracking descent, given how narrow the valley is, through thick clouds, appearing again somewhere over Chermignon near Sierre. After landing at SIR the brakes were applied quite hard and, indeed, we had almost run out of runway!

For those wondering about Konkordiaplatz, it's a glaciated region at the head of four major glaciers which fan out from that point. Have a quick look here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konkordiaplatz

Looking to my flight back (SIR-ZRH) next Saturday!