st530

Correct, didn't plan to go to ZRH, just grab a bite at FCL if available (which it apparently is), then go to an airport hotel (seems like Radisson Blue is the most convenient). Thanks all for the helpful comments.

San Gottardo

There is a First Class Lounge in Concourse E, which is probably where you'll arrive from Bangkok. You can access the lounge there, without going through immigration. I am fairly certain that you'll need to go through securtity as BKK is not considered a "clean" origin. Once you are done with your dinner in the FCL, you'll then need to take the shuttle train from Concourse E to go to the Exit, and that's where you'll need to go through immigration. You won't have the "First Arrival Service", as you basically stay in Concourse E.

There is another FCL in Concourse A. The "First Arrival Service" takes you there, by picking you up in the jetway upon arrival. They'll drive you to Concourse A in a minivan together with the other F Class passengers, and once you arrive at A you'll need to go through immigration, but it's a "private" booth used only for people arriving/leaving from the FCL. You'll go through security in A, there is a private lane there. You'll then go up (lift, top floor) to the actual FCL. Going this way, you avoid having to take the little shuttle train.

In my personal opinion, FCL in E is much nicer than the one in A. More space, usually less people, windows all around the space, a nice terrace. Cooking is the same. And in E they don't have this silly background music from SRF Pop which gives to the FCL in A this distinct feeling of standing in line at the supermarket cashiers But A has the advantage of being close to the exit, and you'll get there by private transfer and through private immigration/security lanes.

I'd still recommend booking the Radisson at Zurich Airport, have dinner in town, and make full use of the FCL the next morning before your flight to PRG. It opens at 5.30AM if you're really eager

PeanutYYZ

As others have said, there are two parts to the terminal in ZRH. The main part has gates A, B and D, and the other part has gates E. The two parts are connected by a train that runs every few minutes.

Your flight will arrive at the E gates. You will arrive "unclean", which means that you need to go through security again if you are connecting. You have two options:

FCL E (nicer lounge, IMO: lots of natural light, tarmac views): when you get off your inbound flight, follow the signs for the E gates. You will go through a security checkpoint. Past security, follow the signs to the FCL. When you are done in the FCL, follow the signs to exit the airport. To exit, you will take the train to the main part of the terminal. When you get off the train, you will go through immigration, then you will reach baggage claim and the exit.

FCL A (easier, because of the welcome service for F): when you get off your inbound flight you will be met by a driver who will take all of the F passengers in a van to FCL A. When you get off the van, you will go through a private immigration and security checkpoint that is located on the ground floor of the main part of the terminal, underneath the FCL A. Once you have completed immigration and security you take an elevator up to the FCL. When you are done in the FCL, you walk to baggage claim and the exit.

If you decide not to go to the FCL on arrival, then it will be similar to going to FCL A, except after you are processed through the private immigration checkpoint you will skip security and instead get back on the van, which will drive you to baggage claim.

Fabo.sk

Will OP have access to FCL on another day after arrival? isn't it just the day of arrival, and then SEN/FTL on next day? Not sure.

Either way the plan to have dinner in FCL and then go to a hotel (whether airport hotel or city hotel, if cheaper) makes sense to me. You could definitely get better food in town, but FCL food is definitely decent and you don't have to worry about finding a restaurant and paying for your experience.

PeanutYYZ

Correct, FCL access only on day of arrival.

sophialite

Fabo.sk

Probably so, but there's always the odd person making a trip of a lifetime (or at least a trip of a decade) on long-saved miles. Plus if you like to wash down your food with copious amounts of bubbly, the balance could end up being quite high even for those quite well off.
Hiltl seems to be heavily advertised in Swiss onboard magazine, which could be good, but could also make a pax steer away. And it's vegetarian.

st530

Is the FCL still accessible the next day for an intra-Europe flight in C?

EDIT: never mind, I see this has already been answered in the negative.

IAN-UK

That has the subtlety of computer logic without a sprinkling of human nature

sophialite

airoli

This is Flyertalk.

People who come here are not necessarily rational when it comes to flying.

While it is perfectly rational to go into Zurich after a flight for a nice meal and hotel, we of all people should acknowledge that there are some of us who simply enjoy the opportunity to be pampered in a posh airline lounge. Yes, that's a thing - on Flyertalk.

Let him who never intentionally spent extra time in a lounge cast the first stone.

sophialite

This is fair.

I love the lounges because of the apron views, mostly because I love watching airplanes. The food and luxury are ancillary benefits to me, which is why I sometimes get cabin fever in the FRA FCT and ZRH FCL A.

worldclubber

It's not necessarily about not being able to afford the meal. It is advertised as part of the F experience and people expect the airline to deliver.

And, I can go to a restaurant every day, but it is not that often that one can enjoy a fairly high quality meal with a wonderful view of the apron and runways, as one can do at the FCL in E.

(Edit: your last post kind of makes this post obsolete)

oliver2002

Also note that a nice meal and hotel is relatively expensive in ZRH... especially with the CHF...

chris63