Do you think there will be enough time for this option?

Worth trying. Just go up and ask at reception. Good chance they will take you down to the van straight away... Otherwise they will give you 5 minutes in the lounge.

It works. But I would definitely go to the F lounge and let them drive you to E. There is a separate customs desk too that saves you time. Going on your own to E with the train will lead you through regular customs that might be crowded.

Thanks to all of you for the useful suggestions!!!^

Sorry to be picky but what you refer to as customs must be passport control.

Another crystal ball question
 

We are booked J on LX's 10pm flight out of EWR, into ZHR ...with a 45 min
[booked by LX] layover until ZHR-CPH. I have studied this thread but remain confused. What would be the quickest way for us to proceed in Zurich? Obviously, I am worried about the shortness of this connection. Does Swiss tend to hold flights for connecting pax? Thanks

You will arrive in ZRH at Terminal E. Your flight to CPH will depart from Terminal A. So you just need to take the Heidi train from Terminal E to Terminal A.
Indeed, I can often read "connecting passengers" on the screens in ZRH when LX is holding flights for connecting pax.
If you are much too late into ZRH, LX will rebook you.

P.S. Today the flight from EWR was 16 min. earlier in ZRH and the flight to CPH left ZRH 14 min. later.

Sure, you're right. I meant passport control.

PetLUX,

Thank you for that very clear explanation. Paula

I´d like to add that when you come up from the Heidi train, the connecting flights are now through a walkway on the right whereas the bulk of the people will go left to the passport control desk at the hall the escalator/stairs lead to. Those only lead to baggage claim and the exit and you would have to re-enter with the ZRH-originating passengers. If you take the walkway on the right, queues should also be shorter for passport control there as well as security.

It´s easy to just go with the major flow (in my arrivals throughout the may, there were only maybe 10 or so besides me turning right) and I almost missed it the first time I went through the new setup, too.

Flying Schengen-ZRH-NRT with 50 min connection in F.

So I arrive in A and head over to the F lounge. The First lounge is in the same "complex" as the Senator and Business lounge? #2 on this map.
http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/services...ap_Lounges.pdf

Then there is passport control and a shuttle to E gates from the F lounge? If I am very late they might have a vehicle at my arriving flight?

The entrance to the FCL is by the transfer desks (#1 on the map).

Someone will escort you downstairs from the FCL to passport control and a shuttle to E gates.

Flying JNB/ZRH/MAD on LH in F/J with a 60 minute connection. Not too worried about making the connection as the JNB/ZRH flight seems to have a very good on-time record and there are flights to MAD later in the day. But perhaps the cognoscenti would be so kind as to help with my personal dilemma?

From what I have read I understand my transfer will involve:
1. Arriving at the E gates
2. Pass through security
3. Take the train to A gates area
4. Go through passport control
5. Board my MAD flight from A, B or D gates

Did I get that right?

Now here's the real crux: I gather that as an arriving F pax I am entitled to use the F lounge. Assuming that time is available (I really just want to nosey around) where in my schedule does that fit in? Will it be a long detour or more or less on my way? And if I actually get into that hallowed sanctum will I be entitled to be ferried by car to my MAD flight?

Many thanks! :)

All correct except your flight to MAD will depart from an A or B gate. If you want to visit the FCL it will be between 4 and 5. They'll only drive you to the MAD flight if it departs from a remote apron position.

Thanks for that sprinting response, NewbieRunner! ^