Review of SWISS flight Zurich Chicago in First

Airline SWISS
Flight LX8
Class First
Seat 1K
Aircraft Boeing 777-300ER
Flight time 09:30
Take-off 06 Jul 19, 13:00
Arrival at 06 Jul 19, 15:30
LX   #30 out of 94 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 919 reviews
Rewardflying
Published on 19th December 2019

After departing LX155 I hustled my way to the Swiss First Class lounge. The faster I got there the better my odds of getting a dayroom I figured. 


photo lx8-fcl11

The Swiss FC lounge has 2 days rooms. After showing my boarding pass I was given the key to Montreux, my hotel room for a few hours. 


photo lx8-fcl5

The complete report on this fabulous lounge is here: http://www.rewardflying.com/lounge-reports/2019/12/9/zrh-swiss-first-class-lounge


This Swiss 777 which was a mere 3 years old would be traveling to Chicago this afternoon. 


photo lx8-plane

You have to love the arrows, telling you which way to go.


photo lx8-plane-jetway

While the cabin on this Swiss 777 was very similar to the A330, there are some significant differences. 


photo lx8-cabin-1

The suites are similar but have much more space, a larger monitor and electronic window shades.


photo lx8-cabin-2

Notice Swiss kept the bins in first class. The rear bulkhead was was even more nondescript than the A330.


photo lx8-cabin-3

Maybe they felt a little of their signature red would clash with the warm tones of the cabin. Regardless it was eloquent and tastefully done. 


photo lx8-cabin-4

Home for 9 hours. The ottoman acts as a second seat for a dining companion. 


photo lx8-cabin-5photo lx8-cabin-8

.


photo lx8-cabin-9photo lx8-cabin-10

Excellent privacy divider if you want to get away from your neighbor, or travel partner!


photo lx8-cabin-6photo lx8-cabin-7

Same seat dimension wise as the A330.


photo lx8-cabin-11photo lx8-cabin-12

A pull out closet inside the side panel of the pod. 


photo lx8-cabin-13

Complete with a useful mirror.


photo lx8-cabin-14photo lx8-cabin-15photo lx8-cabin-16

Some first class cabins allow carry-ons underneath the ottoman. In Swiss’ case there isn’t enough height. But plenty room for small bags and other items.


photo lx8-cabin-17

First Class lavs were fairly well stocked and were a bit larger than the standard 777 unit. A much nicer sink as well. 


photo lx8-cabin-20photo lx8-cabin-21photo lx8-cabin-22

Some features of the seat. 



Very nice electronic window shades 


photo lx8-cabin-34photo lx8-cabin-35

The mini cabin of business class seats. 


photo lx8-cabin-40photo lx8-cabin-41

Amenities were fairly basic. However a free wi-fi card was offered. I wasn’t able to connect and didn’t pursue it. Preferred the Château Haut-Bailley Grand Cru to doing work anyway.  



Away they go. 


photo lx8-scenic-1

Yes please. 


photo lx8-food-1

In the back ground showing on the IFE was a documentary on how Airbus ships parts of aircraft from all over Europe by plane, train, waterway and truck foe assembly in Toulouse. It was fantastic. 


photo lx8-food-2photo lx8-food-3

Beverage menu



Lunch Menu


photo lx8-menu-f2

Fully recovered from whatever Singapore brought on, it was time to enjoy. 


photo lx8-food-4

A caprese style canapé was offered to start. Very refreshing. (I also suspect this was on the anytime menu.) And served with those excellent cheese sticks. 


photo lx8-food-5photo lx8-food-6

While the two Flight Attendants on the previous flight were two of my favorites, the two flight attendants on this flight were not. This was a male and female crew, the female attended the cabin and I think the male made one appearance in the cabin while fulfilling his role preparing the meals. She was an older woman either Swiss or German and didn’t have much of a personality. She came across crassly. I don’t think she wasn’t trying to be cold, it was just her way.

Think of a train conductor walking through the aisle with a raised voice asking “tickets, tickets”. I got the same feeling when she pushed out the appetizer card. “Any salmon for you?” “Any meats?” “Soup for you?” Again, surely well intentioned, just not in a friendly manner.

Also some FA’s don’t like their picture taken which I don’t do anyway, but she was emphatic that I not have her in any photo. 


photo lx8-food-7photo lx8-food-8

Round three of Balik Salmon. (The winner is Swiss A330, more and with blinis. ) The Quinoa and Egg mimosa was most interesting. The Scampi salad was good as well. I also had some meats, apparently didn’t take a photo of that. I guess I was too busy with the internet card that didn’t work, or was it my iPhone? 


photo lx8-food-9photo lx8-food-10

.


photo lx8-food-11photo lx8-food-13

The courgette vichyssoise was not my favorite, but it has never been so it might have been fantastic for those who fancy vichyssoise. 


photo lx8-food-14photo lx8-food-15

On the other hand the smoked tuna salad with quail egg was most delicious. 


photo lx8-food-16photo lx8-food-17

On cue.


photo lx8-food-18photo lx8-food-19

This veal tenderloin, while you may think it looks overcooked, it was not. And this meal was worthy of a special restaurant dining experience you wouldn’t forget. To have this on an airplane to me didn’t seem possible. It was simply perfect. 


photo lx8-food-20photo lx8-food-21

Too bad the photo of dessert is too dark. Yum.


photo lx8-food-22photo lx8-food-23

Huge 25’’ monitor, great clarity. 


photo lx8-ife-1photo lx8-ife-2

Anytime Menu


photo lx8-menu-f6

The finale meal was a little bit of a letdown, of course anything would have been after the earlier main. But the potato and leek quiche seemed very Swiss and a great way to end this fabulous journey.  


photo lx8-food-25photo lx8-food-26

Overall it was an incredible experience to take two back to back flights in Swiss first class and spend 6 hours in their incredible home base lounge. While I'd like to say I'll be back, given the Swiss restrictions on reward flying their first class product it seems unlikey to happen again. But there are other reward flying reports coming. As I've been late posting, these which have been flown:

ORD-FRA Lufthansa 747-81 F
CDG-ORD Air France A330 J
SFO-LHR British Airways A380 F
BRU-DXB Emirates B777 F (new cabin)
DXB-HND Emirates B777 F (new cabin)
NRT-ORD Japan Airlines B777 F

And early next year the new A350 routes by:
Air France
British Airways
Virgin Atlantic
SAS
Aeroflot

 as well as ANA's new F product.    


Flight Path


photo lx8-flightpath
See more

Verdict

SWISS

8.4/10
Cabin8.5
Cabin crew7.0
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Meal/catering9.0

SWISS First Lounge A - A

9.6/10
Comfort9.5
Meal/catering9.5
Entertainment/wifi9.5
Services10.0

Zurich - ZRH

8.5/10
Efficiency8.5
Access8.5
Services8.5
Cleanliness8.5

Chicago - ORD

7.5/10
Efficiency7.5
Access7.5
Services7.5
Cleanliness7.5

Conclusion

Swiss first class cabins are beautifully done, understated but elegant. The seats are super comfortable. I did not attempt to sleep on this flight, was having too much fun!

This flight had some of the better food ever on an airplane that I have experienced. The main course I can’t rave enough about Then a double dose of Laurent-Perrier Grant Siècle champagne, Château Haut-Bailly Grand Cru Classé, a nice amenity kit, and comfy pjs’, made this a double dose of awesome experience.

The IFE monitor was one of the best I’ve seen in the sky. Wifi a little issue, but at least they gave a voucher.

The crew served me well. Did they make a flight special, no. Which is too bad because a great crew would have made this flight the top ranked first class flight I’ve taken.

Information on the route Zurich (ZRH) Chicago (ORD)

Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 3 avis concernant 1 compagnies sur la ligne Zurich (ZRH) → Chicago (ORD).


Useful

La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est SWISS avec 7.8/10.

La durée moyenne des vols est de 9 heures et 43 minutes.

  More information

10 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 534070 by
    dreamweaver888 77 Comments
    Such a delightful experience, thank you for sharing with us! I dream of flying Swiss F one day...
  • Comment 534475 by
    TonTonChristian SILVER 827 Comments
    Hi Rewardflying and thanks for this report. Do you know if the first class honeymoon seats in the middle could be transform in a double bed? Could the doors be closed to do like a suite?
  • Comment 534512 by
    Rewardflying AUTHOR 493 Comments
    Hi TonTonChristian. While these seats are similar to China Eastern first class seats, these Swiss first class seats do not have doors nor can the center seats be combined to a double bed. Thanks for reading!
  • Comment 534698 by
    YGeorgeW GOLD 275 Comments
    Hi Rewardflying, thanks for the report! I also enjoyed reading the lounge review on your website. Always a joyous occasion to meet someone else in this hobby when traveling.

    Unfortunately still a little to early to sample something from the wine cellar that made up part of the entryway into the lounge.

    - Nonsense! It is never too early when it is as fine a wine collection as this one.

    A pull out closet inside the side panel of the pod.

    - I've heard some people say you can use it as a "door." I always thought it would look weird though, did you try using the pull-out closet as a door during the flight?

    Amenities were fairly basic.

    - Those pajamas don't look exciting. Seems like LH has better pajamas.

    The meal looked magnificent. Overall, a wonderful experience even if the service on this flight was a bit assembly-line-like.

    Hopefully I'll get to try LX F one day.
  • Comment 534778 by
    socalnow 976 Comments
    Hi Mark and thank you again for sharing the Swiss experience.

    Whichever lounge you think is best, Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, Cathay Pacific’s First Class Pier in Hong Kong, Qantas First Class lounge in Sydney, Singapore Airlines The Private Room, British Airways Concorde Room or any other, a visit to the Swiss First Class lounge in Zurich may change your mind. It’s that good, especially if you get a dayroom for some much needed rest after an overnight flight.

    I am in agreement here! I'll likely never experience Air France or Garuda but time in the Swiss ZUR F lounge is a treat.

    This Swiss 777 which was a mere 3 years old would be traveling to Chicago this afternoon.

    Were you among the last to board? Do Swiss not utilize the F jet bridge?

    Maybe they felt a little of their signature red would clash with the warm tones of the cabin. Regardless it was eloquent and tastefully done.

    It's very much to my taste with the clean lines and muted color palate. Elegance!

    Preferred the Château Haut-Bailley Grand Cru to doing work anyway.

    Oh heck yes!

    Fully recovered from whatever Singapore brought on, it was time to enjoy.

    Thank goodness you were able to sample the decadence on board. THe meal looks breathtaking. The Balik of course is a special experience but the smoked tuna salad with quail egg also looked superb.

    In the back ground showing on the IFE was a documentary on how Airbus ships parts of aircraft from all over Europe by plane, train, waterway and truck foe assembly in Toulouse. It was fantastic.

    You find the best programming.

    She was an older woman either Swiss or German and didn’t have much of a personality. She came across crassly.

    I'm sorry to hear you got a frumpy frau. It doesn't sound like she had too much of an impact on your enjoyment, thankfully.

    Overall it was an incredible experience to take two back to back flights in Swiss first class and spend 6 hours in their incredible home base lounge.

    It sure was evident from your reports that this was a special series of flights. I certainly enjoyed reading about them. Your teaser of things to come is most enticing as well. I would normally wish you happy flying but it seems like I'm too late!
    • Comment 535294 by
      Rewardflying AUTHOR 493 Comments
      Hi Christian

      Were you among the last to board? Do Swiss not utilize the F jet bridge?

      -You noticed that, good eye. Nope I was first to board and entered via D2. I guess it wasn't important to move the jetway at D1 for 3 F passengers.

      You find the best programming.

      -Some of the footage was used in the Airbus factory tour the other day.

      Thanks for the note, now I need to get started on that backlog!

Login to post a comment.