I have the pleasure to visit the new Swiss lounge at ZRH airport.

The new entry (from level two of passport control) is pleasant and well designed. One after a short flight of stairs arrives directly in the former main area of the business class lounge with comfortable but quite cramped and crowded seating. On the right side there is a large "quiet" area with more generous and ample seating. The former smoking corner is a bistro like room with some tables offering free internet access.

There seem to be no special facilities for Travel Club Gold or Silver members , their former lounge has been transformed to a first class lounge. Therefore no free faxing, photocopying and printing anymore for the loyal Swiss customers .

Staff are pleasantly and genuinly friendly and the real downturn came only when steppting up towards the "longest bar in the world of aviation".

Entering the bar area with its great view on the tarmac one is immediately shocked about the extremely strong level of cigarette smoke in the air !! There seem to be no ventilation and I wonder how the staff can greet so friendly being exposed to that .

It is absolutely unacceptble that Swiss elected to transform its showcase to such a hell. It shows also a lack of respect towards their staff. If a smoking area has to be installed the only location can be a closed segment of the bistro (where actually the seated internet acces is).

By giving away the opportunity for all passengeres to enjoy the new bar without being poisoned Swiss shows a lack of respect towards its staff and most of its customers .

You may find find my thread exagerated, but remember the days one could still smoke on the planes... (remember also the headache upon disembarking ) Switzerland is not fast (consider the time it took to transform ZRH into a decent airport), but hopefully one day...

You may also want to read my thread in the ZRH airport section about the airside center.