Swiss Air

[viccam]

Hi all, has anyone enjoyed Swiss J class lately ?
I'm traveling to Zurich via HGK April 2016, and I was curious about their service.
Has anyone done the Hong Kong to Zurich and return legs ?

In anticipation, all feed back much appreciated.

 

[vantage03]

Planes between ZRH and HKG will have new business and excellent service. Try to get a solo seat on seat selection if possible.
The United lounge in HKG is pretty average so that part won't be too exciting.
LX J is probably the best of all of LH group. Enjoy!

 

[vantage03]

Incidentally, if you're returning in May you may be on their brand new 777 which will be exciting. Check aircraft type on booking.

 

[dajop]

Are you on the new 77W (777-300ER) or the old A340-300? I notice in April it depends on which day of the week you are travelling as to which aircraft you get.

I flew last weekend ZRH-SIN on A340, it's starting to show its age (especially small PTV screens). The seats are long, certainly good for stretching out when sleeping, although rather narrow (especially after my trip to ZRH, where LX transferred me to SQ as LX flight was delayed 8 hrs, and of course I had the sumptously wide SQ seats). One watch out if you sleep on your side, the seats can be constraining if you have tables on either side, I prefer to have a seat that is open into the aisle (on the side of the aisle where my knees point), which gives more space for my knees. If you sleep on your back, any seat will do. IFE was OK, mo

IFE was OK, movie choice was good, but TV choice wasn't as good as many airlines.

Service was good, quick and efficient and food tasty with reasonable menu choices. Breakfast on arrival was a pick and choose from what they offered on the cart (cereals, fruit, yoghurt, bread, bakery items, hot items). Bread was excellent. One thing I like (as someone who prefers not to eat seafood, particularly shellfish) is a choice of a non seafood entree, whereas on the likes of SQ it's often prawns, scallops or some other waste of calories (personal view of course ). For the entree I had the air dried venison, which tasted better than it looked, and for main beef, which was quite tasty, tender and not overcooked:




Overall certainly in the QF band of carriers, but probably not as good as CX or SQ (but realising the gap is narrowing). And put it this way, we have a best fare policy which for flights from SIN to ZRH, eliminates SQ, and usually points towards TG. I do put in a little effort to try and find a way of getting on LX and comply with the policy, partly because of the non-stop flights and partly because I think I prefer LX to TG in business.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all, has anyone enjoyed Swiss J class lately ?
I'm traveling to Zurich via HGK April 2016, and I was curious about their service.
Has anyone done the Hong Kong to Zurich and return legs ?

In anticipation, all feed back much appreciated.

Swiss is a funny airline. It is totally typically 'Swiss' in its attitude. If you appreciate Swiss foibles you'll get along just fine

 

[viccam]

Thanks for the feed back, its all worth taking in, and yes I'm sure their new 777 will be on the ZRH to HGK return run. Looking forward to that. But I reckon that I'll be in the old wagon on the way there. As long as it arrives safe what else do you want.
I'm on the CX flight from Melbourne to HGK also in J so I'd be interested in comparing the two carriers, and especially the return leg (with the new 777).
AS far as lounges go, I would have thought that Swiss would have had a dedicated lounge in HGK ? besides transit time is only 1.5 hours

Great pics, certainly it all looks good, and I don't mind the "Swiss"way of things.
My preferred airline is Qantas, and I have flown SQ, TG and BA in Business Long haul and have to say QF is still my favourite. Lets see after the next trip.

Further, I know CX is part of Oneworld and so I should be able to pick up some points there, is there any chance with Swiss ? or will they be lost.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for the feed back, its all worth taking in, and yes I'm sure their new 777 will be on the ZRH to HGK return run. Looking forward to that. But I reckon that I'll be in the old wagon on the way there. As long as it arrives safe what else do you want.
I'm on the CX flight from Melbourne to HGK also in J so I'd be interested in comparing the two carriers, and especially the return leg (with the new 777).
AS far as lounges go, I would have thought that Swiss would have had a dedicated lounge in HGK ? besides transit time is only 1.5 hours

Great pics, certainly it all looks good, and I don't mind the "Swiss"way of things.
My preferred airline is Qantas, and I have flown SQ, TG and BA in Business Long haul and have to say QF is still my favourite. Lets see after the next trip.

Further, I know CX is part of Oneworld and so I should be able to pick up some points there, is there any chance with Swiss ? or will they be lost.

No dedicated Swiss Lounge in Hong Kong - they officially list 'The Traveller's Business Lounge' as their preferred lounge - although you are free to use any star alliance lounge (TG and UA both have them).

For points - you could put Swiss onto any star alliance partner - maybe lifemiles is a good option (free to join). Depending on the fare class you'd be getting close to the minimum miles for a one way business class ticket Australia-Asia. (An award Australia - Asia in business is 40K, of which you need 16K and the rest can be topped up at 1,5c per mile.) Fare earning for Lifemiles from swiss is 125% for J/C/D/Z and 100% for P class.

It's probably a bit difficult to compare CX and LX in terms of soft product. Swiss is 'laid-back' European, CX is pretty much 'efficient Asian'.

 

[time_flies]

Hi all, has anyone enjoyed Swiss J class lately ?
I'm traveling to Zurich via HGK April 2016, and I was curious about their service.
Has anyone done the Hong Kong to Zurich and return legs ?

In anticipation, all feed back much appreciated.

Hi viccam

I'll be doing HGK to Zurich retun in about three weeks. Both legs are on the older A340.

Happy to report back here on any unusal finding, although I've heard the service is on par for international J.

TF

 

[tania73]

Hi viccam

I'll be doing HGK to Zurich retun in about three weeks. Both legs are on the older A340.

Happy to report back here on any unusal finding, although I've heard the service is on par for international J.

TF

I would be really interested in any feedback -if you get one the amenity kits that are in metal boxes and like it, keep it because they don't give them out on all flights

 

[viccam]

Hi viccam

I'll be doing HGK to Zurich retun in about three weeks. Both legs are on the older A340.

Happy to report back here on any unusal finding, although I've heard the service is on par for international J.

TF

Thanks time_flies,

Love to hear your thought on the plane and the service. Had a slight time change on my return flight (was advised by the agent) and it seems like I got the new 777 Zurich to Hong kong. I'll let you know what its like.

 

[vantage03]

Looking forward to a report on the 777!
I'm booked in F on it ZRH-HKG in mid-April

 

[MEL_Traveller]

...although I've heard the service is on par for international J.

TF

yes - it's on par... just in a very... well... 'Swiss' way

 

[time_flies]

Have just landed back on Australian soil following a skip to Zurich via HK. Very interesting to compare the product offered in J by Swiss compared to Cathay.

The biggest downfall for Swiss is the age of the fleet. Everything feels dated, including the entertainment system which was constantly freezing and rebooting (about a 5minute process). Small screen and only controlled by the temperamental remote.

The design of the J class lie flat beds, although a long way from economy, are very tight... Especially in the foot well. I'm 6ft 1in with pretty big shoulders, and couldn't lay my arms by my side when flat. Further, because the foot well tapers almost to a point, my feet had to sit top and bottom rather than side by side.

Each seat in Swiss J has its ups and downs, but if leg room is a concern, push for an aisle without side panel on the foot well. This way you can spill out a little.

These flights offer a first class option, which makes me wonder if business for Swiss is treated more like premium economy? It certainly pales against CX, QF or BA. Even VA domestic J is of a higher standard.

I found the service to be a little less than standard for international J. Flying over I seemed to be the only one in the small forward cabin that spoke only English, and as a result seemed to get barely a smile from any of the crew. Even asking for a coffee was greeted by frowns and huffs... As if I was putting them out?

Food was traditionally Swiss. Lots of cheese, fish and stew. (Photos to follow. Posting this from my iPhone).

Amenity kits have the basics you'd expect, but the packaging is fun. On the way across it came in a knitted beanie/neck warmer, and during return an iPad sleeve.

Cathay on the other hand was superb. I'll leave that review to somebody less jet lagged than myself, but all areas of the CX J product were exceptional!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

just in a very... well... 'Swiss' way

... which makes me wonder if business for Swiss is treated more like premium economy?

I found the service to be a little less than standard for international J. Flying over I seemed to be the only one in the small forward cabin that spoke only English, and as a result seemed to get barely a smile from any of the crew. Even asking for a coffee was greeted by frowns and huffs... As if I was putting them out?

lol - that's what I kinda mean by 'Swiss'

It's their particular brand of Swiss socialist business class! First class is much the same, just a more refined socialist First class (but the food in F is really awesome - probably among the best alongside Lufthansa that you'll get in the sky).

 

[viccam]

Well...... I'm leaving first week of April, so I guess the trip over (Hong Kong to Zurich) isn't going to be that flash sleeping wise.
The return trip will be the one I'll be looking forward to. The new 777 according to my booking.
Thanks for the insight time_flies, good read. Looking forward to your pics.