To begin my long journey to Thailand, I needed to take a few flights to get there. The first leg of my trip was with Swiss Air and this is my Swiss Air Business Class Review of my flight from Boston Logan International Airport to Zürich, Switzerland.
Checking in for Swiss Air At Boston Logan International Airport
Since I live in Boston, I jumped into an Uber with my small amount of carry on luggage and headed straight for Boston Logan airport with Mr. TSG in tow. When I arrived, I walked up to the Business Class counter to get my paper ticket and breeze through Security with my carry on bag. Or so I thought.
This is a lesson to all travelers, experienced or otherwise. Even if you travel often, always check the airline’s website. Turns out that although my bag was the appropriate dimensions, it was considered overweight and had to be checked. For any class of service onboard Swiss Air, you are allowed two 8kg (17.7 lbs) bags. My one bag was a hefty 16kg (35.3 lbs) and they weren’t about to change their minds. Lesson learned as Mr. TSG and I could’ve taken one larger bag and ditched the two smaller carry on bags.
Terminal E at Boston Logan
After I got over my initial disappointment with the carry on bags, we passed through the long lines at Security and went to the new Lufthansa Business Lounge in the newly expanded Terminal E at Boston Logan International airport. I was so surprised at how big, clean, and modern Terminal E is and how spacious this new Lufthansa Business Lounge is. I grabbed a quick bite, a cup of tea and some sparkling water, and then it was time to board the flight.
Swiss Air Flight 53
Swiss Air Flight 53 from Boston to Zürich was on an Airbus A340-300 with three cabins of service: First, Business, and Economy. My seat was 7A in the second Business Class section. As you can see from the seat map above, the cabin is configured in a 1-2-1 or 2-2-1 layout of eight rows, but there are an additional two rows of Business Class seats situated directly behind the two row First Class section.
My Swiss Air Business Class Seat
I was seated in one of the two seat configurations by the window, but I think I would’ve loved having the single seat in front of me. Shhhh! Don’t tell Mr. TSG. Each seat has a hanger that corresponds to your seat. While I would’ve liked that if I had a jacket to hang up, the hanger sits at your seat if not in use, which can get in the way, especially when you get up from your seat.
After finding our seats, the flight attendants came by to offer a beverage. Not usually one to partake of airline champagne, the one served in Swiss Air Business Class was pretty damn good. I’m not a champagne connoisseur, but it was so much better than the junky champagnes some airlines serve. Usually I take a sip and pass it along to Mr. TSG who never turns down a free drink, but I wasn’t about to give up this glass.
The seat offers a small storage shelf where you can store some items during takeoff and landing. Waiting for me at my seat was a bottle of water as well as a Swiss Air Comfort Kit. The large entertainment screen tilts so no matter how you adjust your seat, you’ll always be able to view the screen.
Next to your seat you’ll find a reading lamp, power outlets, and headphone jacks. The seat controls are easy to use and includes a seat cushion control from soft to firm and yes, even a massage option.
Swiss Air Comfort Kit
The Swiss Air Business Class amenity kit or as they call it, “Comfort Kit,” came in a small red pouch that opened up to become a little tote bag. That bag definitely came in handy later on during the trip so I was glad to have it. As for the contents of the kit, there’s a toothbrush and small toothpaste, travel socks, an eye mask, ear plugs, and lip balm. Nothing fancy, no name brands, but it does what it claims.
Business Class Menu
The flight attendants passed out the Business Class menu for dinner and breakfast service, which was in English, German, and French. I looked it over although I had pre-ordered the vegetarian vegan meal for this and all other flights.
Before dinner service, beverage service began and I stuck with water for the remainder of my flight. A certain someone couldn’t resist trying the Quöllfrisch beer with his meal.
Dinner Service
Since I had ordered a special meal, I was the first one served. As you can see, there was a cheese course offered on my tray. Seems like a rather strange offering for a vegan meal and so I promptly it turned over to the ever willing Mr. TSG. The small green salad with balsamic dressing was pretty good, especially after I’ve had my share of wilted and sad looking salads on flights.
The entrée was a different story and consisted of carrots and broccoli, rice, and something in the middle I was convinced was a clump of meat. I started to dig through it and discovered it wasn’t meat, but was mushrooms and potatoes. While I ended up eating the broccoli and mushrooms, I left the rest behind. Maybe that’s why I was glad I had some celery and hummus at the Lufthansa Business Lounge before boarding my flight.
After dinner service, I made my seat flat into a bed and slept for a couple of hours. Consequently, Mr. TSG who always complains about not being able to sleep on a plane, also slept. This evening flight departed Boston at 9:45 pm and was scheduled to arrive in Zürich at 11:03 am local time for a total flight time of 7 hours and 15 minutes.
Breakfast Service
About an hour before landing, breakfast service began. When we received our menus when we boarded, we indicated our choices, which were then delivered to us in the morning.
Mr. TSG chose fresh fruit, coffee and an espresso, grapefruit juice, a smoothie, and yogurt.
My breakfast was a simple one and consisted of fresh fruit and tea. Why? I’m off the carbs again and because once I shove a croissant in my mouth, it’s all downhill after that. Rather than risk it at the beginning of a trip, I usually try to start off not overindulging from the start.
The View From My Business Class Seat
Between bites of my fruit, I took in the view from seat 7A in Business Class onboard Swiss Air. No review, including this Swiss Air Business Class Review, would be complete without views from up high.
Then it was time to land and we were soon on the ground and inside Zürich Airport with only a few more steps to arrive at the Swiss Business Lounge to wait out the couple of hours until my next flight.
Zürich Airport
Zürich Airport is big, clean, modern, and I loved the industrial look of the airport.
As you can see, I couldn’t resist snapping a few pics before heading inside the lounge.
Swiss Business Lounge At Zürich Airport
The highlight of the Swiss Business Lounge at Zürich Airport is definitely the terrace that overlooks the tarmac.
This was a first for me and I loved being able to step outside and get some fresh air. As a result, I found it strange that most people preferred to sit inside.
There’s plenty of seating inside the 1200 square meter business lounge that’s open Monday-Sunday from 06:00-22:30.
Although there’s no dedicated bar, you’ll find plenty of beverages, both with and without alcohol as well as a front cooking buffet area.
The food options were numerous, from healthy to maybe not so healthy and everything in between. I loved the abundance of fresh fruit options including these little fresh fruit cups which I devoured. Ok, I ate two, but who’s counting?
I did everything I could to avoid opening one of these jars because I knew I’d eat everything inside. Seems like I could do some serious damage here.
Final Thoughts
As I complete this Swiss Air Business Class Review, overall, I was pleased with my flight from Boston to Zürich. The flight attendants were both polite and professional while working hard to not constantly bother us throughout the flight while we were resting. That, to me, is the perfect kind of service I desire on an overnight flight, especially one of two long flights I’d experience in less than 24 hours. The food wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, but I realize the airlines tend to struggle with special meals although I’m not really sure why. Next time if I get to fly with Swiss Air in Business Class, I might opt for the smaller two row cabin behind First Class and maybe even a private seat all to myself.
Have you flown in Business Class with Swiss Air?
One thought on “Swiss Air Business Class Review – Boston to Zurich”
Comments are closed.