Dusseldorf International

I had a rental car from a previous business trip, which I had to return and I decided to use the car for the trip to the airport and return it there. So I drove to the airport. My 5 series BMW had a problem with the fuel sign, which showed only three quarter instead of a full tank as I filled it up on my way to the airport, which I mentioned the clerk working at the rental car return and like me he was aware of this common problem.

arrived at the check in counter at 9:20 for my 10:30 flight with Swiss to Zurich. I used the empty First Class check in counters which are also the Star Gold check in counters, although I was only traveling with hand luggage, but I had not yet checked in and the self service machines was not able to process my booking. Check in was fast, though the system did not showed the API data first, on a second try the check in agent told me she could see it and asked for the name of the Hotel and the address to verify it.

Security was fast, with no one in front of me. I caused a “beep” this time and had to be checked manually a second time. The staff at security was friendlier than on previous trips. But after all it was one of the fastest checks and so I was in the Senator Lounge in less than ten minutes after I had arrived at the airport. The lounge was not that full and I took a seat an grabbed an espresso and a sparkling water and filled out the immigration form I had with me from a previous trip. Time passed quickly and after a few phone calls and checking e-mails I headed for the gate A 84 which was right at the bottom of the stairs to the Senator Lounge.

Boarding was about to start as I reached the area and I was on my way to board the plane.

24 April 2009
DUS – ZRH
[Düsseldorf - Zurich]
LX 1017 (Swiss); Airbus A 320 (HB-IJF)
Gate A 84
10:30 – 11:45 [effective 10:42– 12:04]
Economy Class
Seat 12 D

I was greeted by a flight attendant and the maître de cabine as I boarded the plane and took my seat in the exit row. While I was storing my belongings the flight attendant standing there approached and asked me to store everything in the overhead compartment for start and landing and if it was okay to sit at an emergency exit. Something I have not discovered in this extensive way on Lufthansa flights. The plane filled with people and it seems the plane was completely full with no single seat left. As boarding was completed the maître de cabine approached the exit rows and explained how to use the exit doors and that we were responsible for opening them in an case of emergency. She also asked if we were able to do this.

The safety video was shown during push back, which was a bit behind schedule. The captain had informed us earlier that the traffic control in Düsseldorf had given us a later slot and therefore we would start only delayed but he hoped to arrive only with a little delay in Zurich.

We rolled to the runway and at 10:50 it was finally our turn and we accelerated and climbed into the sky. Once the seat belt signs were turned off the crew began to prepare the inflight service which consists of a beef or tomato-mozzarella sandwich and our choice of beverage. The crew was okay, not overwhelming friendly but at least they were not turning away while talking with the passengers. I only opted for a glass of sparkling water and continued to read in my magazine and papers I brought with me from the Senator Lounge in Düsseldorf.

Later the flight attendants collected the items from the beverage service and did a quick duty free round in the cabin.

At 10:20 the captain had updated us with flight time and expected arrival time. At this time he hoped to arrive in time or only a few minutes delayed. App. 15 minutes later he unfortunately had to tell us that air traffic control had lowered the number of planes which could approach Zurich-Kloten and therefore we had to flight two waiting patterns before we could begin our final approach into Zurich Airport. The inflight monitors were updated with information about connecting flight and as expected my flight to Miami left from the E- terminal, gate E 27 to be exactly. We were also offered the famous red square of Swiss chocolate before landing.

It was 10:50 before we finally began our final approach and touched down in Zurich at few minutes before noon but hat to taxi for a few minutes before we arrived at our gate A 04. It took a few minutes before I was able to leave the plane due to someone with a lot of hand luggage.

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