I checked in around 1045am as I got to the airport early. I decided to go for a stroll to the new Pier D to see what it was like.
View of SR Technics hanger
My first impressions of this new facility are good. Its bright , clean . clinical and has a few facilities such as Cafe and vending machines. I guess in time we will see more things down there. I hope they do not clutter it up though with cheap stalls!! It is a long walk from the main building. You need to allow 10-15mins at least.
After that I decided to go to the BMI lounge.
After that I decided to go to the Anna Livia lounge as it has Net access.
If you have a Star Gold card you can use both lounges. The snacks and coffee and Net access are all a big plus in the Anna Livia lounge. The BMI lounge gets a bit boring although I prefer the decor and views from the BMI one.
Time to head to the B gates to board::
Greeted as usual by a smiling and efficient Swiss crew ....
View of Y class
Crew came round with water and refresher towels.
After 5 mins the pilot came on the PA and advised we would be delayed upto 25 mins due to restrictions at ZRH. Right after that a crew member came and asked us if we would like a drink from the bar and appologised for the delay. I was very impressed by this . I opted for Champagne and was given some chocolates also.
By the time that was finished we were pushed back ::
FEDEX Cargo
After take off, meal time ::
This is one of my favourite dishes served on Swiss so I was glad to see it was on todays flight ::
Another favourite of mine !!
The flight went quite quickly and during the flight I was talking to some Irish business men and they all said they preffered Swiss over other carriers. They use them to Europe and the Far East. As we came into ZRH the pilot came over the PA and announced we would land on a unusual runway as there were very strong winds in the ZRH area. He sure was not lying because we have a very bumpy approach and the AC was swinging every direction. We had a smooth touchdown though !!!
Upon landing I disembarked the aircraft and went to the immigration . When I saw the que I was shocked!! It was totally packed. The problem is that the area is very narrow and Swiss/EU and foreigners get mixed up in one line until its too late to get into the right lane. Some people were in the wrong lanes and got sent back. It really was a push and shove experience. I got through after 15 mins.
I had a 6 hour connection in ZRH so I took the train to Zurich city to see the Christmas Markets.
After a couple of hours back to the Airport ::
After an hour it was time to head to the gate for my flight to SKG. We were delayed for 25 mins due to connecting passengers.
Boarding was slow as the flight was full. Mostly Greeks a mix of suits and tourists returning home.
I was Greeted with a smile and shortly after bottles of water and refresher towels were handed out.
Newspapers were handed out incl. Greek ones and they were from the region of Greece the flight was going to. I thought this was a nice touch. The local paper is called ''Macedonia'' as Thessaloniki is in the Northern Greek province of Macedonia.
We were warned of very strong winds and that take off would be very bumpy. As we took off we certainly felt it and people in the J class cabin were looking at eachother. It was the roughest I have felt for a while.
Aftter we reached our crusing altitude we were served dinner::
We made our approach across the border of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and entered Greek airspace.
We disembarked onto the bus.
I passed through passport control and customs in 3-4 Mins then had a stroll around the airport and outside.
I wish they would renovate this Carravelle and open it as an exibition :::
After that I went to the Swiss check in to obtain the EUR8 voucher you get as the lounges are closed.
I used it to buy some Greece Cheese pies and a drink. Which I loved. Then time to go back through passport control.
We boarded by bus again and I was met by the same friendly crew. I had already told them I was coming back again and they thought it was funny . They offered me pillows and blankets as they knew I would be tired. The crew member told me should would serve me breakfast quickly after take off so that I could sleep.
After that I went to sleep and I had a row of 3 to myself so I pushed up the arm rests and made a bed!!
We landed in ZRH again very windy. I was pleased that we pulled up beside the EURO 2008 Livery !!
Walking to the immigration area I saw this :::
Time to hit the Swiss arrivals lounge for a hot shower ::
After that well needed refresher I headed out into the arrivals area. At that time in the morning you have to take a long walk to another arrivals area as the one near to the passport control is closed . I went to get my boarding pass from the SSK.
This time I decided to go to the LH Star Gold lounge ::
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 6110 posts, RR: 15 Reply 3, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 8265 times:
Another fantastic Report OA260!
Swiss always seem to impress and the food looks great, I must try them sometime. Pier D looks very nice, the views are even better than the ones you can get at Cork.
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3382 posts, RR: 51 Reply 5, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 8217 times:
Another nice TR of yours, glad you enjoyed LX as always We indeed had strong winds over the last few days but it has calmed down by now. You landed on runway28 inbound from DUB which is indeed only used during special wind conditions. You actually approach over my house, i might have seen your flight from my room
Another 8000 miles earned, and I see that you have another run coming up.
ZRH From Switzerland, joined Nov 1999, 5540 posts, RR: 40 Reply 6, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 8157 times:
Thanks. Great trip report.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): When I saw the que I was shocked!! It was totally packed. The problem is that the area is very narrow and Swiss/EU and foreigners get mixed up in one line until its too late to get into the right lane. Some people were in the wrong lanes and got sent back. It really was a push and shove experience. I got through after 15 mins.
This is very unusual for ZRH. I think I never waited more than 5 min for immigration. When you know the airport well you could skip this lane and try the other immigration.
EISHN From Ireland, joined Feb 2007, 1506 posts, RR: 8 Reply 7, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 8143 times:
Well, congratulations mister, on another top notch report!!!!!
As usual, you delivered a detailed and comprehensive review of a Swiss Made trip. And as usual again, you had your usual spout of trigger-finger-ietus!!
Well done, and looking forward to the next one already!
EISHN-Michael
St. Flannan/ Fhlanain- She took off to find the footlights, And I took off for the sky
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 9, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 8125 times:
The Dublin Airport looks nice and modern though I agree with you it is a tad "sterile"
LX64A332 From Switzerland, joined Aug 2007, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 8090 times:
Great Trip Report!
Makes the two weeks until I fly LX back home feel even shorter!
Aren't you also going to MIA with LX? I remember from another forum that you mentioned it! If yes, please take a lot of pictures from Concourse J and the Lounge!
ManchesterMAN From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2003, 1192 posts, RR: 1 Reply 11, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days ago) and read 7919 times:
Nice report with some great photos. I was considering doing a similar run on LX to ATH but decided against it. Hopefully I won't come up short mileage wise when my year ends (If I do I'll just have to go to LAS . I guess the trip netted you around 8000 BD miles?
Buck3y3nut From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 864 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 7502 times:
Another great LX trip report. I also really want to try out LX. Hopefully next time I fly to India, I can try their new service to DEL.
thanks for this report. It was great and the pictures were also awesome...
Fito28 From Venezuela, joined Nov 2007, 24 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 7384 times:
Boy! I got hungry just looking at those meals on board Swiss. The look quite tasty and God the chocolate bar with the cup of chocolate or coffee was very good looking.
Door5right From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2005, 707 posts, RR: 18 Reply 15, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 7249 times:
Toulouse From Ireland, joined Apr 2005, 2719 posts, RR: 58 Reply 16, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 7198 times:
Great report OA260!
Glad to see the photos of the new Pier D at Dublin. I've been through Dublin twice in the past couple of weeks and still haven't had the chance to^pop down to see it for myself... shame on me!
As usual Swiss service looked great! You make me so envious and each time I read your Swiss report I start thinking of ways to get back to Switzerland, undoubtedly my favourite country, and to fly Swiss. As I've said before, I haven't flown the "new" Swiss, while I did fly Swissair and Crossair frequently and they were great... did you fly the airline befor eits collapse/change? Are there many changes in service?
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 4015 posts, RR: 52 Reply 18, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 6905 times:
What a great report. But about crazy people... flying to Greece in the middle of the night and returning immediately
Food and service looks perfectly! LX crews are good as always, but up till now I never got the chance to experience C class on them. Lounges are good too, nothing to complain about it seems.
Thanks for sharing, and have a good rest
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
Rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1136 posts, RR: 19 Reply 19, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 6738 times:
Hola OA260!
Thanks for your trip report.
I am always looking froward to flying longer with LX as you get some hot food which looks really nice. Hopefully I will have some of this when I fly to BOM.
Thanks for all the pictures.
Bon Nadal i millor 2008!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16575 posts, RR: 11 Reply 20, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 6548 times:
Brilliant TR as usually OA260.
I really love it.
The pics and videos are just great.
As you mention the new pier is bright , clean . clinical, but it needs more facilities.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): After 5 mins the pilot came on the PA and advised we would be delayed upto 25 mins due to restrictions at ZRH. Right after that a crew member came and asked us if we would like a drink from the bar and appologised for the delay
That is just great, and shows how good service LX have.
I am really impressed by LX food service. It seems really tasty.
Wow, as you say the winds was really strong, from what I can see in the video.
The city of ZRH is really nice. Have ti visit it in the future during winter.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): We were delayed for 25 mins due to connecting passengers.
So that was the reason for the delay.
Again I am impressed y the LX crew, when they wanted to make everything as comfortable as possible for you on the SKG to ZRH sector.
StefanPAD From Germany, joined Dec 2005, 282 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 6426 times:
Hi!
Great detailed report and very good pics as usual. Congratulations! Seems to be lots of A.netters are on a mileage run at the end of the year. So I am on a mileage run, too.
Did you check in for the SKG-ZRH leg in ZRH already? I even thought of doing an overnight roundtrip, too. But often the aircraft is going back within one hour and this is not much time to do passport controlls and checking in for the return flight. Perhaps the check-in counters are already closed then.
Well you know me I am totally crazy .You have seen my other TR's LOL.....
Quoting StefanPAD (Reply 21): Did you check in for the SKG-ZRH leg in ZRH already?
I got 3 boarding cards in Dublin. Its just my ZRH-DUB they could not give me . I guess the check in was not open for that flight yet. Im impressed I got 3 though in Dublin.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
EIRules From Ireland, joined Aug 2007, 641 posts, RR: 10 Reply 23, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 6339 times:
Fantastic TR as usual OA260.
As you know I am no Star fan but I must admit LX looked very good, especially the food, maybe I'll even consider them for my far east trip next year.
Nice pics of Pier D too, I wasnt overly impressed with it when I was there a couple of days earlier, it was just a bit too sterile for my liking though.
Excellent report though, long may they continue
Next Flights: EI DUB-LHR A320, BA LHR-SFO B744, UA SFO-LAS A320, BA LAS-LHR B744, EI LHR-DUB A320
FLIEGER67 From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, RR: 57 Reply 24, posted (5 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 6323 times:
Hello, Philip,
a nice story and lot´s of great pix, as always.
I remember some part of SKG airport from my recent visit three weeks ago.
Especially that OA counter where I dealed with the girls to pick up my ticket, you know.
We had also heavy wind in southern germany sunday to monday night,
good that it calmed down late monday, so no problems for me yesterday on the BCN run.
Regards,
Markus (FLIEGER67)
Next: Exploring Istanbul both ways!.
25 Sh0rtybr0wn: I enjoyed that report, especially your amazing pictures. The food looked so good my mouth is watering right now. The airports looked very clean and mu
26 Khaleej777: Dear OA260, Thanks for putting together a great read - and what brilliant photos too. Looks like Swiss provides a very slick and accomplished Business
28 Infodesk: Excellent report and a pleasure to read. Glad that Swiss lived up to your expectations again. ......so you should have seen my colleague directing peo
29 OA260: Haha I probably passed you !!! It was around 0630-0640am. I think the Delhi flight was on one of the baggage belts it was not that busy as I was walk
30 Flyboy_se: Excellent TR as expected. Swiss is a real nice airline.Would love to try them out in J
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From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24929 posts, 
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We indeed had strong winds over the last few days but it has calmed down by now. You landed on runway28 inbound from DUB which is indeed only used during special wind conditions. You actually approach over my house, i might have seen your flight from my room 
From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, 
. I guess the trip netted you around 8000 BD miles?
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