Last time I was on this flight there were very few through passengers and had almost the cabin to myself (and another FTer). This time the flight is still very full of returning british holidaymakers - I suppose to be expected given the time of year.

So the service wasnt as good as usual but still okay for intra-europe. I dont have the menu, but it was very similar to the F menu below and basically the same for both Zurich to Manchester and Manchester to Zurich.

The flight was short (but my longest intra-europe this trip), but no view as cloudy the entire way (and in any case still dark on leaving Zurich). We have a small delay taxiing into the gate at Manchester due to aircraft congestion on the ground.

I get off the aircraft quickly and make my way directly to the transfer centre (along with another couple continuing to London). However the transfer security is closed and the agent on the transfer desk tells us Singapore didnt tell them anyone was transferring so it will be a while before we can open up security. She wasnt wrong there - it took about 30 minutes to find security folk to open it up. I wasnt worried about missing the flight as the aircraft turnaround is about 90 minutes, and the walk from gate to security and back to gate is short. However the other couple were getting anxious of missing their onward flight.

Once the security guys arrive there is another small wait for the xray machine to warm up, then another 10 seconds and I'm on my way. There is still enough time to visit the Servisair lounge which is a mediocre lounge but better than waiting at the gate and better than some lounges (eg at TBIT in LAX). The lounge bouncer was confused as to why I didnt have an invitation card and I was puzzled as to how else to explain it than I didnt check in at Manchester. Eventually I was let in. The lounge was full and so I had a coffee standing up.

I didnt have long to wait until boarding for the return flight, although I noticed it was called in the lounge about 10 minutes earlier than they were ready at the gate.

The return was uneventful. Still quite full. We have the same crew for the return so we chat a bit about this. On arriving back at Zurich I am the only deplaning passenger - the FA points to me while talking to the security agent "here is kiwi our only passenger from Manchester who is not continuing to Singapore".

As the flight arrived slightly early I have enough time for a few minutes in the nice Swiss lounge. I know from previous visits that this lounge is nicer than the *A lounge I could also use in the main terminal. On entering I enquire about where I can make some changes to future flights on a ticket and am directed to the transit desk near the lounge. But the Swissport agent there tells me they can only handles tickets issued on Swiss - they cant even handle Lufthansa tickets yet, let alone anyone else in the *A. Oh well I can try again elsewhere.

I have enough time for a quick drink in the lounge before heading to the gate near the end of "A" pier. Another security check before the gate and straight onto the Lufthansa flight back to Frankfurt. The load must be lighter than usual as the aircraft has switched from 737-500 to an ARJ. But the seats & service are basically the same. After a short flight in the middle of clouds the whole way we again have a bus gate. This time from a closer stand and so deplaning time is reduced.

I head back to the hotel where I am welcomed back by the same clerk who remembered me.