Zurich Kloten

The lines at immigration before entering the train station for the shuttle train to the E concourse were very short and I passed it in less than a minute. A train had just arrived, and soon I was on my way to terminal E. During the short ride of this automatic train (there is no train driver) you hear the typical sound of Switzerland like cow bells, alphörner, … – talking about stereotypes and confirming prejudices.

The most passengers took the escalator towards the lower gates, but I remember vaguely that after the flight to JFK in the afternoon had left, the doors dividing the terminal in two parts – one for US bound flights and one for all other flights - were opened and one could pass it. So a lounge visit was possible without clearing another security check again. The lounges are located at the higher gate numbers and offer nice views over the tarmac.

The Panorama Lounge is run by swissport and not only used by Swiss, but by all airlines, except Emirates, which uses its own lounge.

Senator Card and ticket were scanned at the entrance by the agent and I asked for an internet voucher, which was given without problem.

Once inside, I took a seat and got myself something to drink from the buffet while I checked e-mails and read a bit in the papers and waited for boarding time to come. While surfing the web, I noticed the airport has still the problem, that you will lose the connection ten minutes earlier than you should according to the remaining time in the internet login page. The food offerings in the lounge were very basic, a soup, olives, bread and the buffet was not restocked anymore in my time in the lounge. The lounge in the main terminal had more and better food available and if you want to have something to eat and skip food in the plane like I usually do if I am flying Economy Class, than the lounge in the main terminal would be a better place.

Around 22:05 an announcement was made in the lounge that the lounge would be closed in ten minutes and I headed down to the gate for my flight.

I was delighted to see the A 340 in San Francisco design for our flight to HKG. As expected, boarding had not started yet. Again it was not a long wait, as boarding started a bit ahead of time for First, Business Class Passengers and HON Circle and Senator as well as Star Gold Passengers. I was among the first passengers boarding the plane. A group of Chinese Passengers queued in the wrong line and the excused for doing so.

I went down the ramp to the plane. Only one jetbridge was used for boarding, so the Economy Class Passengers had to pass the Business Class Cabin and not everybody cares and you might get hit by a backpack or trolley if you have a seat at the aisle. I had a seat in the smaller part of the first section of the Business Class, i.e. left hand side from the door, this was not a problem for me.

28 April 2011
ZRH – HKG
[Zurich Kloten – Hong Kong International Airport]
LX 138 (Swiss); Airbus A 340-300 (HB-JMJ)
Gate E 22
22:45 – 16:50 (+1) [effective 22:52 – 16:45 (+1)]
Business Class
Seat 05 K

I stored my belongings in the overhead compartment. Hangers were placed in the magazine rack, but not so at my seat. The flight attendant who offered to hang my jacket went searching for one – I later found the hanger misplaced in seat 05 G. I also took a few pictures of the cabin and of the new seat, which offered much space to lay down things but not so much space so really store belongings during the flight safely.

Pillows and blankets were placed on the seat, while amenity kits and headphones were handed out during our wait at the gate.
Newspapers and soon later pre departure drinks were offered, a choice of water, orange juice and champagne. I opted for champagne.

The captain welcomed us on board and informed us about the flight time of our flight to HKG. He expected an on time arrival despite the fact we had to wait for connecting passengers, which might cause a slightly delay in takeoff.

The safety video was shown while we were still at the gate. Later the crew collected the glass from the pre-departure drinks and distributed the menus. The camera in the front wheel was already switched on, but since it was dark and the light at the first wheel not switched on, I could not see much of the activities at the gate in front of the plane. By the way, this Airbus was first leased by Air Canada back in November 1996 and then after Air Canada returned it to the lessor Bernina Aircraft Leasing Inc. in was leased by Swiss in November 2007. Currently it is configured with 8 seats in First Class, 47 seats in Business Class and 164 seats in Economy Class.

This A 340 had the new cabin with the 47 staggered seats, so it is either 1-2-1 followed by 2-2-1 with the exception being the first two rows of Business Class between First Class and second door, which is both rows 1-2-1. If you are not choose or do not have the seat map handy, seat “K” is always a single seat. The seat has 79 inch seat pitch and reclines 180° and is full flat. But the seat looks narrower than it is in reality.

The flight next to us was already pushed back, as it was our turn at 22:52, slightly behind schedule, but we were cleared prior to this Bangkok bound flight and behind the flight bound for Johannesburg for taxi to the runway.

At 23:09 the co-pilot powered the four engines by CFMI, a joint venture between US Company GE and French SNECMA. We accelerated on the wet runway and climbed into the rainy sky over Zurich. Rain drops were running down at the window and I was looking forward to warmer weather in South East Asia.

After approximately 13 minutes the fasten seat belt signs were switched off. The crew began the preparation for the service and offered hot towels. Soon later tray tables were laid with linen. There was only a light dinner service and this time no beverage round was done prior to meal service. The maître the cabin went through the cabin and introduced herself and took the time for a little bit of small talk with me and other passengers as well. During this time the orders for the main course were taken.
Time to look in the printed menu (click on the menu / opens new window)

Meanwhile I relaxed on the seats and played with the preselected positions and the control panels and also had a look at the offerings of the inflight entertainment system.

The music CD selection was the same than back in January 2010 on my ZRH – LAX flight, which was a bit of disappointment. I had hoped - end expected – a change since after one year, especially as we are not talking about the 200 or more CD other airlines offer and in addition 2010 was the old configuration. But I could not change it and if everything fails, I could still use me MP3 player.

Meal service started after 40 minutes in flight. The first course was served from the cart and arrived on a tray with the cutlery and the napkin. In addition olive oil, butter and margarine as well as rolls and bread were available to accompany the first course. I was asked for my choice of beverage with the first course and since I am a fan of wines from Switzerland, I went with the Müller-Thurgau from Aargau and was offered a glass of water as well. The crew was friendly. The selection of beef consists of slices of different types of salami and ham and included my favorite one from Grison and was really good. It brought back nice memories to the many holidays with my parents in Switzerland in my childhood.

First Course
Selection of air-dried meat specialities

Second Course
Artichoke ragout with saffron, tomatoes and couscous

Third Course
Tiramisu with rhubarb mascapone

coffee

The used plates from the first course were collected individually and also refills of wine and water were offered. A few minutes later the main course was brought from the galley row by row while another beverage round was done. I had chosen the vegetarian meal and it was not only really hot but tasted good. It was again for my taste better than what I have experienced on Lufthansa in Business Class, especially the worse main course on the flight from Seattle to Frankfurt back in November 2010. It was from my impression one of the best courses I have had on a in Business of a European Airline. A refill of my now empty glass of wine and of my also empty glass of water was done. The crew came later with the cart to collect the trays and also offered a dessert and coffee. I asked for a glass of Grappa. Using a wine glass due to the lack of a proper Grappa glass, the glass was filled quite well and so I could enjoy it even longer.

The dessert tasted really good, the only down was, that it was small. Maybe I should have asked for a second one …

Linen and napkins were collected individually by the crew and I made a quick visit to the restrooms before I decided to lower the seat. Small bottles of water were already placed on the seat.

The seat is quite comfortable, though I had in the first time some difficulties as the back rest could not controlled without the rest of the seat. The lounge position is good, but not exactly my preference. But with the legrest and using the lounge position button I was able to find a relaxing and cozy position.

The sleeping position is perfect. The seats are using the space of the seat in front and so you have a really flat and long bed. I was not only able to sleep on the side and on my stomach, which is my preferred sleeping position and usually a reason, why I am unable to sleep in a plane.
I was able to get five hours of sleep as I was now becoming tired, since I get up at 4:45 in the morning and had not had that much sleep in the nights before. I think I even could have slept longer, but with an arrival time of 16:50, I decided not to oversleep, because that means difficulties to adjust to the new timezone.

After I get up, I made a visit in the galley, since Swiss has Nespresso machines on board and I asked if it would be possible to have a cup of espresso. I chatted with the flight attendant about the new seats, the comparison to the ones of Lufthansa and about flying in general.

I relaxed for some hours or so, listen to music and zapped through the inflight entertainment system, As the CD selection were the same as on my flight to Los Angeles back in January 2010, there was not much new CDs to discover and I listened to Herbert Grönemeyers “Best of”..

I then started my laptop and put some work in this trip report and also did a few things for my small travel related business.

Lights were turned on approximately 100 minutes before we were scheduled to touch down in Hong Kong and soon later a hot towel was offered. The trays were for the second time on this flight laid with linen and one could smell the freshly brewed coffee. The service was done from the cart, with Bircher Muesli, fruit salad offered from big bowls from the cart and also omelets or a Chinese dish, which were fried noodles and some vegetables. Pastries and bread, rolls and croissants were offered from the basket. Marmalade and butter were placed together with the cutlery on the tray. Beverage were orange or grapefruit juice, a strawberry smoothies and of course coffee and tea. I had a croissant and some Bircher Muesli.
Time for another quick look in the printed menu (click on the menu / opens new window)

Breakfast
Bircher Müsli and Pastries

Refills of Coffee and Tea were offered frequently.

The Bircher Muesli tasted quite good and it was not too cold, as I have often experienced on a flight. So again kudos to Swiss for this attentive service.

Later trays were collected and immigration forms for Hong Kong were distributed and the cabin crew began to prepare the cabin for our arrival in HKG. The remaining flight was a bit bumpy and the visibility was due to low clouds very bad.

Finally we touched down at 16:36 and taxied for our gate, where we arrived at 16:45 ten minutes ahead of schedule. De-Boarding was possible through the first door and the first class cabin and soon I was on my way to immigration, which was short, since our gate was in the main terminal. The lines at immigration were long and it took 15 minutes before I finally entered Hong Kong and my luggage was already on the belt.

I picked it up from the belt and headed through customs and to the Airport Express Station.

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