About swiss F
Jan 23, 2007, 6:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Home airports:SRQ,TPA,RSW
Programs: AA 0.4MM, BA G, LH SEN,TK S, HH Dia, Sixt Plat, Hertz Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,689
Jan 24, 2007, 9:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1.5 Million Mile flyer, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz 5* and PC since 1985
Posts: 5,611
Jan 24, 2007, 9:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The Great Mid-Atlantic
Posts: 582
I think the fact that the purser is assigned primarily to the F cabin, along side 2 other FAs (regardless of load) in an 8 or 12-seat cabin, will ensure you get some very good service. I did BA, AA, and LX on an intercontinental last year and LX won easily for best service.
Jan 24, 2007, 9:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1.5 Million Mile flyer, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz 5* and PC since 1985
Posts: 5,611
I think the fact that the purser is assigned primarily to the F cabin, along side 2 other FAs (regardless of load) in an 8 or 12-seat cabin, will ensure you get some very good service. I did BA, AA, and LX on an intercontinental last year and LX won easily for best service.
Jan 24, 2007, 11:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Tbingen, Germany
Posts: 2,732
Jan 25, 2007, 9:23 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1.5 Million Mile flyer, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz 5* and PC since 1985
Posts: 5,611
Jan 26, 2007, 1:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2002
Programs: QF Platinum (OW Emerald); QF Lifestime Silver; BD Diamond Club Gold (*A Gold)
Posts: 4,786
Swiss F is a very good hard product (at least in the air) and despite no PJs, the service and food / booze more than make up for it.
It's best characterised by saying that this is how F used to be, before all of the penny-pinching crept in - in every cabin class - albeit with more contemporary adaptations, such as lie-flat seating.
Don't forget, that LX F was previously the vestige of seriously-monied pax or, less usually, those who were prepared to blow a huge amount of stored up STC miles for a trip up front.
LX jealously guarded its forward cabin, so very few opportunistic UGs unless flight really busy, unlike many other carriers who, so willingly, UG pax (probably with longer-term some rationale behind it).
The whole consolidation with LH will be interesting to observe. Already, by virtue of its ownership by LH and joining *A, suddenly the whole character of the earlier F product will change, but hopefully over time.
It ultimately depends on what kind of FC product you like. LH may not have the new seating product - yet - but it's still pretty damn comfortable and the food / drink is usually great too.
LX service can be pretty starchy and snobby too (the Swiss do a far better version of this than the British; sorry not a slight on an entire nation, but based on both living there and flying with its national carrier). If you want great service and want to then be left alone, LX will likely suit. If you want chat and constant attention, then suggest you might want to think about alternatives.
It's best characterised by saying that this is how F used to be, before all of the penny-pinching crept in - in every cabin class - albeit with more contemporary adaptations, such as lie-flat seating.
Don't forget, that LX F was previously the vestige of seriously-monied pax or, less usually, those who were prepared to blow a huge amount of stored up STC miles for a trip up front.
LX jealously guarded its forward cabin, so very few opportunistic UGs unless flight really busy, unlike many other carriers who, so willingly, UG pax (probably with longer-term some rationale behind it).
The whole consolidation with LH will be interesting to observe. Already, by virtue of its ownership by LH and joining *A, suddenly the whole character of the earlier F product will change, but hopefully over time.
It ultimately depends on what kind of FC product you like. LH may not have the new seating product - yet - but it's still pretty damn comfortable and the food / drink is usually great too.
LX service can be pretty starchy and snobby too (the Swiss do a far better version of this than the British; sorry not a slight on an entire nation, but based on both living there and flying with its national carrier). If you want great service and want to then be left alone, LX will likely suit. If you want chat and constant attention, then suggest you might want to think about alternatives.
Jan 26, 2007, 8:41 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,724
How does LX F fair with regard to ground service? I flew LX in J at the end of last year, and I was very disappointed by the contracted ground staff in JFK and GVA. I thought the onboard experience was excellent, but it was mildly soured by the awful ground staff at both airports. The Swissport employees were by far worse than the average United and Lufthansa employees with whom I usually deal.
Jan 27, 2007, 2:20 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2002
Programs: QF Platinum (OW Emerald); QF Lifestime Silver; BD Diamond Club Gold (*A Gold)
Posts: 4,786
How does LX F fair with regard to ground service? I flew LX in J at the end of last year, and I was very disappointed by the contracted ground staff in JFK and GVA. I thought the onboard experience was excellent, but it was mildly soured by the awful ground staff at both airports. The Swissport employees were by far worse than the average United and Lufthansa employees with whom I usually deal.
The station manager at the latter had the audacity to suggest that I wasn't entitled to full compensation when my luggage didn't make it to my final destination, on the basis that I was flying on a discounted F ticket. I dug my heels in and eventually got the full amount.
Jul 25, 2008, 3:22 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SZG, Austria
Programs: LH(OS) HON, IC RA
Posts: 33,194
I flew yesterday JFK-ZRH with LX in First class. I upgraded my C Class tickets with miles, because the Business Class on the A330-200 has still the "old" Business class seats.
The First class cabin was nearly full with only two empty seats. Two senior FAs - both female - welcomed me by name and escorted me to my seat. I had more privacy, because I took a window seat (seatmap is 1-2-1). I was offered a choice of beverages and took a glass of champagne. The First Class seat is very comfortable, the pillows are large and the blankets are of extremely high quality wool.
The Swiss First Class seat comes with its own PTV. Numerous movies were available upon cruising altitude. The meal service style is extremely professional and delivered with the highest level of finesse.
I enjoyed a great dinner and I was really impressed. After the meal I brushed my teeth, when I returned to my seat, the seat had been made up with a Lindt chocolate on the pillow. Went to bed. Woke up somewhere over Irland and was offered a full breakfast. We arrived 20 minutes late.
I really enjoyed the flight !! I like to fly SWISS F !! ^
The First class cabin was nearly full with only two empty seats. Two senior FAs - both female - welcomed me by name and escorted me to my seat. I had more privacy, because I took a window seat (seatmap is 1-2-1). I was offered a choice of beverages and took a glass of champagne. The First Class seat is very comfortable, the pillows are large and the blankets are of extremely high quality wool.
The Swiss First Class seat comes with its own PTV. Numerous movies were available upon cruising altitude. The meal service style is extremely professional and delivered with the highest level of finesse.
I enjoyed a great dinner and I was really impressed. After the meal I brushed my teeth, when I returned to my seat, the seat had been made up with a Lindt chocolate on the pillow. Went to bed. Woke up somewhere over Irland and was offered a full breakfast. We arrived 20 minutes late.
I really enjoyed the flight !! I like to fly SWISS F !! ^
Jul 25, 2008, 3:29 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,111
Jul 25, 2008, 3:55 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ZRH / MUC / VIE
Programs: M&M basic / happy Wizzair+ user :-)
Posts: 6,490
And don't forget: The seats on the A330 are now 8 years old...
Never heard the opposite (from people who experienced it
)
Last edited by rorschi; Jul 25, 2008 at 4:06 am Reason: typo