Review of SWISS flight Newark → Zurich in Business

<Original Itinerary>
EWR-ZHR / LX19 / December 17, 2017, 22:05 / Business / A330-300
ZHR-PEK / LX196 / December 17, 2017, 12:30 / Business / A330-300
PEK-PUS / CA129 / December 18, 2017, 08:25 / Business / B737-800

<Revised Itineary>
EWR-ZHR / LX19 / December 17, 2017, 22:05 / Business / A330-300
ZHR-NRT / LX160 / December 18, 2017, 13:00 / Business / A340-300
NRT-PUS / KE716 / Decmber 19, 2017, 12:45 / Business / B737-800

Hello everyone,

As it is my first time publishing a review, I may have enough information as much as other top reviewers. However, I hope that you can enjoy my review of the trip.



Check-in at EWR was smooth. I used a Star Alliance (Lufthansa and Swiss) business class check-in booth with a minimum of delay. However, I have noticed that all the checked in luggage was not processed through the conveyor belt due to malfunction in the airport facility. (I hadn't known what would be the consequence of this incident.)

TSA was operating one security check line, so there was a huge line. Thanks to the expedite ID check for Business/First class customers, I went through the security relatively faster than other people. But, I remember it took about 30min in total.

Right after the TSA check, I went to Lufthansa Business Class Lounge. There were a few selections for food and drink; however, it was not impressive. Plus, a LOT flight to Warsaw was delayed for 2 hours, so the lounge was all packed up.



After having some light snack, I went to the gate on time for boarding. However, there was a little bit of delay (10~15min) in boarding. Passengers who need some help or enough time for boarding had the pre-boarding option. Then, First class and Business class passengers were allowed to be bored.



The seat was as expected as other reviews. I wished that there was a bulkhead for privacy; however, I don't think it is worth complaining as the seat itself was nice (full-flat).



After everyone was seated, there was an announcement made by a cabin crew that TSA hasn't finished its job with checking our luggage. We were all boarded with little delay; however, we had to wait for 1hour and 50 minutes more for the aircraft closes its door. In the meantime, I could see ground crews working hard putting the luggage into the carrier.

Before the departure, dinner/breakfast information booklet was handed out. Dinner was served as soon as the cabin crew was allowed to serve the passengers, and the breakfast was served 1 hr and 30 minutes before the landing.



Before the landing, there was an announcement made regarding the passengers whose connection schedule are impacted. I was one of them as I had a connection to Beijing. The flight landed at Zurich with a delay of 1 hour and 30 minutes.



Unfortunately, there were no other flights available for me on that day. I had to stay at Radisson Blu, Zurich Airport for a night and catch a flight to Tokyo (Narita), Japan for my final destination Busan, Korea on the following day. The 4-star hotel was within walking distance and paid by Swiss Air with a CHF30 voucher for food at the hotel.




After the check-in at the hotel, it was 4 pm. I decided to go to downtown Zurich and have the unexpected excursion. I was not aware of the historic importance of Zurich, but it was nice to have a freedom of walking with no purpose. As the Christmas was coming, the street was covered with the Christmasy theme.