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ZRH Swiss First Class Lounge

ZRH Swiss First Class Lounge

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February 2013

After another great LX First flight, both FAs and our purser stopped by to thank us for flying LX. Pleasant good-byes and we disembarked through our own private 1L door, and were on our own to get to the FCL. Knowing the drill, we hustled to be first in the E security queue, and then down the escalator for the train to A and the FCL.

Now knowing the way, we stayed on the lower level of A and arrived at the HON/FCL entrance a few minutes later.

Some pics from last month's visit.

Nice looking sit down restaurant/bar area.

Serve yourself options.

Pretty weak imitation of LH FCL offerings.

Both men's showers were occupied so Lounge dragon offered me the women's shower. No doubt there were numerous jokes but nothing came to mind quickly. Same spartan facilities as the men's and the same lack of ventilation or fan produced steam bath conditions.

At T-45 we presented ourselves in the lobby for the not so First Class group hug and walk to the lower level, passport control and van dispatch.

January 2013
Swiss First Lounge
Zurich

 

The good news is that with a gate A62 arrival, we were the closest to the FCL and in the Lounge in less than two minutes. Pleasant welcome from the friendly staff and were walking into a nearly empty lounge.  Pics from our last visit a week ago.

Having recently had breakfast in FRA, I only tried a couple of things... the carrot and shrimp salads were both very good.

All was well and we were happily passing the time not bothering anyone, when hoards of pax started arriving for the 1PM bank of international departure... so much so that every seat in the lounge was taken and it was standing room only.

The problem is compounded by the fact that the sofa groups are so close together that you have to excuse yourself and walk over other pax legs between the table and sofas. Basically like sitting in a window seat on the plane. What an idiotic design.

Let's talk about WiFi next. Unbelievably the Swiss First Lounge has no WiFi. It relies on the ZRH airport Wifi which provides one free hour but only after you give them your cell number and they text you a one hour code. You want WiFi for a 2nd hour, you either wait 7 hours or you pay 7 CHF!! Seriously??

I went to the front desk to inquire whether I was missing something. A sheepish agent apologized and admitted they had no WiFi system, adding that she can't believe that LX management won't install their own system. Yeah, me too. Wow.

At 12:05P we excused ourselves and schlepped our carry-ons over other pax to get first to the aisle and then to the lobby for our "van to the E gates". We joined about 15 other people and waiting for the 2nd elevator to go downstairs to the van area.

Once downstairs, we queued to go thru passport control and then into various vans to be shuttled to the E gates. Not sure why since we are all offloaded at the same locaton, but there was only one other pax (also ORD) in our van. Our driver opened the luggage compartment so we could put our own bugs in the van. Getting the picture? Obviously, we're not in Frankfurt anymore Dorothy.

Some 5 minutes later we arrived at the concourse E, not at our gate mind you, but in the lower level somewhere in the middle of concourse. Driver opened the luggage compartment so we could retrieve our bags.

As we entered the building, LX agent at E escorted us to and elevator and asked what gate?
SFO777: I have no idea. Chicago.
LX Agent: Oh, Gate E22. To the left near the end of the concourse.

Five minutes and numerous gates later we were at another queue, this one for a 2nd passport control in the last 10 minutes. Beyond that was our gate. Boarding commenced another 5 minutes later.

First Class ground treatment? Compared to Lufthansa, not even close.

 

December 2012

Although we disembarked through our own private 1L door, we were met by no LX staff. And since we arrived 10 minutes after the SFO flight, we had to queue behind dozens of other connecting pax just to go thru security and officially enter the terminal.

Then down the escalator for the DEN-like train ride to Terminal A...

...and passport control, where we naturally picked the wrong line and were the last from our train to clear. More walking and searching in vain for non-existent Swiss First Lounge signs. So we just followed the Swiss Business Lounge then Swiss Lounges signs to an escalator up to the main A level. As we approached the Business/*A Lounge, finally a sign for the First Lounge... Sure, why not just keep on walking. A few kilometers more and we'll be in Austria.

Another escalator, this time back down to the lower A level where there are no Swiss First signs. After we walk around a but, we see the Swiss First spiral staircase, of course going back up to upper level. Confused yet? Mercifully, there was an elevator behind the staircase and we finally arrived at the FCL counter. After showing our LX First and LH connecting BPs, we were welcomed into the lounge.

Taken from the J lounge. Would have been a lot easier entering this lounge and just passing thru this door, had there been signs.

Comfortable lounge but nothing close to the luxurious appointment and atmosphere of the LH lounges in FRA. More like a very nice Business Class Lounge.

Nice looking sit down restaurant/bar area, although we were not hungry and decided to pass today.

Serve yourself options.

Pretty weak imitation of LH FCL offerings.

While Mrs. SFO relaxed, I decided to shower in rather spartan facilities. Didn't bother asking about any rubber duck here.

And the common men's shower room locker area/makeup area.

Since our original LH departure gate was A65 and having heard from other FTers that it is faster to walk to anything in the A60-A70 range, I didn't bother to inquire about the van ride. But with a gate change to A85, I asked. DWAA (dragon with an attitude) told me it was "only a 5-7 minute walk" and LX does not provide van service to anything but tarmac departing flights. I knew this was a crock but let it slide and we decided to head out to the gate at T-35, with said DWAA asking "why are you leaving so early?" Hmmm, maybe we'd rather be in the terminal than in here any more?

My overall assessment of LX is good but not great. In flight service and food is excellent. But the 343 hard product is dated and not comfortable, and the ZRH ground experience is not very good. Will give it another chance in a week, but so far, I'd pick LH First over LX any day of the week.

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