My first post. Good to be a part of this excellent community.

First some background: My wife and I have never flown International First Class, so when I saw Swissair's new First Class product, I immediately cashed in 200K Delta Sky(Team)Miles for 2 award tickets. Our trip is planned ATL-ZRH from December 14th to January 8th (I'll post a trip report, which should be fun).

The situation: Checking the equipment currently being used for SR121 and SR120, I see HB-IWT and HB-IWU. These are two of the 4 MD-11's that DO NOT have the new first class product (Perhaps SR is snubbing the delta hub). My assigned seats are 2D and 2G, which Indicate my flights ARE the new first class product. I have the current SR timetable which is good through 10/28, but I'm having trouble verifying actual seat maps that far out. It looks to me as if most, if not all, of the SR120-121 flights through 10/28 are the old first class configuration. My point is that I will be very unhappy if our flights do not have the new first class product. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

My Question: Do you think my seat assignments truly reflect the equipment being used, or is it possible they just default to the new configuration when dates beyond the current active timetable are used. Any thoughts or suggestions of how to verify would be appreciated.

BTW, the 2 SR agents I have spoken with have been very nice, but relatively clueless. That's why I'm asking the pros.

I would call SR and ask. My last few EU/US flights have been on DL equipment other then what the book said. I was expecting 767-300ER and wound up with 777 twice and MD11 3 times. So, you can not rely on the books, they are a guidline. DL's web site usually gives the correct equipment when I look at my seat assignments, but the 777 was listed as a 767-300ER. Again, call SR and ask, in fact call 10 times and take the answer you get most often as probably being correct.

I did send beckles some months ago the exacct SR date-schedule for installing the new first class seats and two weeks ago he did fly AT-ZRH and ZRH - ATL in SR first.

email beckles - he will know the details I am pretty sure.

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 06-23-2000).]

I took JRF's advice, and called SR 3 times. Third time was the charm. Original SR information was that all but 4 MD-11 (HB-IW(R-U))would be reconfigured to the new first class cabin. Now it seems those 4 MD's will also be converted, with completion by 9/9/00.

Thanks for the advice, guys

Remember to always look on the bright side of life