OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 17531 posts, RR: 54 Posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 12 hours ago) and read 11456 times:
Time to go to Spain again. I had originally booked a charter flight from Dublin to Reus with JetX but had noticed that due to issues with the Futura collapse there had been some very long delays. JetX had leased an A/C from Futura which was now impounded.I was getting quite worried as my time was precious and I only had 4 days vacation. So I looked at alternatives and came up with the idea of cashing in 15,000 miles and EUR49 for a oneway from DUB-ZRH-BCN with Swiss. I had been longing to fly LX again so it was not a difficult choice. I also decided at that time to go two days earlier giving me 6 nights there.
DATE : 28/SEP/2008
FLIGHT : LX 401
ROUTE: DUB-ZRH
CLASS : BUSINESS
SEAT : 3A
REG : HB-IJP
A/C : AIRBUS A320-214
I checked in at Dublin airport 2 hours before departure. No ques at the Business class counter and I got my bags through checked and both boarding cards. I then went to get something to eat and then to the fast track line for security. All of this was hassle free.
Time to visit the BMI lounge.
After a while it was time to go to the gate .
I was welcomed by two friendly crew.
Water and refresher towels were handed out.
Boarding was completed and the Sky Handling Rep gave the crew their documents. The crew gave her a handful of Swiss chocolates. Nice thought .
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 5388 posts, RR: 17 Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 11341 times:
Great report Philip!
Really liked all the photos and videos, especially of Swiss flights. Everything seems so professional and classy, the meals look fantastic.
There's a huge amount of legroom in those exit rows but overall I think legroom on Ryanair is quite good even in a normal seat right at the back, it's probably because of the missing seat pocket. Do you prefer the older seats or the leather seats on FR, I remember the cloth ones being more comfortable.
EIRules From Ireland, joined Aug 2007, 386 posts, RR: 10 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 11313 times:
Hey Phil
Excellent trip report as always. Is there much to do in ZRH while waiting for a connection??
Can I please make one request however? Next time give some prior warning of all the pics and videos. This antique almost blew up trying to open your TR with MSN and 5 other web pages open!!
Oa260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 17531 posts, RR: 54 Reply 4, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 11280 times:
Quoting Shamrock350 (Reply 2): Do you prefer the older seats or the leather seats on FR, I remember the cloth ones being more comfortable.
Thanks Kevin. Yes Swiss are the most professional airline within Europe I have ever flown. Its like the old days of flying and is a really enjoyable experience. I actually prefer the leather seats on FR . Its all a matter of choice. I actually was a bit dissapointed with the cloth as I entered the A/C but its all down to personal choice. I know some who like the cloth better , EIDAA I think being one of them.
Quoting EIRules (Reply 3): Is there much to do in ZRH while waiting for a connection??
Tons to do , stuff your face in the Senator lounge with snacks and free booze or head into the center to experience the Swiss culture.
Quoting Phileet92 (Reply 1): What is this machine anyway? i'm split between a coffee machine or a liquer dispenser.
Its a Nespresso machine , I wouldnt be without mine. Im a coffee freak. Im not really a drinker so the liquer one wouldnt be any good to me but my mates would love it LOL..
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3076 posts, RR: 50 Reply 5, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 11233 times:
Hey Phil!
Great report with the usual selection of nice pics and vids, you just gotta love the sound of those cfm babies Glad that you had another good experience on LX.
I see that you had a runway 16 departure at ZRH. Not too common with narrowbodies. I'm getting a bit confused with the lounges. Can you verify that the Senator lounge is thesame as the Business class lounge? I never refer to it as the Senator lounge, but just as the biz class lounge. At least the entrance is the same if memory serves correct. Are there now two seperate lounges in there, one for business passengers and one for senators? I haven't had the chance yet to visit it after renovation.
Thanks again for your effort to write this 5* TR and i'm looking forward to reading your next one.
Globetraveller From Germany, joined Apr 2008, 308 posts, RR: 14 Reply 6, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 10 hours ago) and read 11102 times:
Thank you for the great trip report Oa260. The pictures were excellent.
I like the vast contrast between the outbound and inbound journeys. The Swiss Business Class product really looks amazing when compared to Ryanair; that is not to say that Ryanair did not get you from point A to B efficiently.
The new lounge in ZRH really looks amazing!! Lufthansa should use this as a blueprint to upgrade their Business Class lounges in FRA!!
EICVD From Ireland, joined Mar 2008, 1180 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 10 hours ago) and read 11079 times:
Hi Phil
As usual another excellent TR. Very enjoyable read as always.Could of been a little more interesting though, I think you know very well what I mean LOL.
Those interior pics on the FR bring back memories of my Carcasonne-DUB flight back '06.
Small question about boarding in ZRH. Beside the screen showing the flight number is there also a screen showing a seat-map of the a/c operating the flight?
Oa260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 17531 posts, RR: 54 Reply 8, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 10938 times:
Quoting SandroZRH (Reply 5): Can you verify that the Senator lounge is thesame as the Business class lounge? I never refer to it as the Senator lounge, but just as the biz class lounge. At least the entrance is the same if memory serves correct. Are there now two seperate lounges in there
Yes you walk into the lounges and a new door on the left next to reception gets you into the Senator lounge and the elevator and steps behind the desk take you to the normal Business class lounge as usual.
Quoting Globetraveller (Reply 6): Thank you for the great trip report Oa260. The pictures were excellent.
Thanks glad you enjoyed it.
Quoting EICVD (Reply 7): I think you know very well what I mean LOL.
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3076 posts, RR: 50 Reply 10, posted (1 year 4 months 1 week 6 hours ago) and read 10593 times:
Quoting Oa260 (Reply 8): Yes you walk into the lounges and a new door on the left next to reception gets you into the Senator lounge and the elevator and steps behind the desk take you to the normal Business class lounge as usual.
interesting, i didnt know that So the Senator lounge is only for M&M senators, and the old business lounge for LX biz pax and star gold, or can star gold members also access the senator lounge?
EIDAA From Ireland, joined Oct 2006, 726 posts, RR: 21 Reply 12, posted (1 year 4 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 9895 times:
Hi Philip! Great TR as always. Shame you didn't get to try out JetX as originally planned, but maybe another time! LX really does look impressive. Something tells me that when those special business class fares come out in a few weeks, there will be several Irish A.netters jumping on connecting flights around Europe with them!
Quoting Oa260 (Reply 4): I know some who like the cloth better , EIDAA I think being one of them.
I do actually like the cloth seats on FR, but that may be more because of the fact you get a seat pocket. I always like to throw my camera and mp3 player into a seat pocket along with a drink or whatever... putting the rest of the carry-on items up in the overhead bin. On the leather seat aircraft, you end up having to carry those things in your lap or put the bag under the seat in front reducing legroom. The leather seats tend to be cleaner though!
AntonovA330 From Switzerland, joined Jul 2007, 240 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 year 4 months 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 9748 times:
Hi Oa260!
Yummy report! Thanks for your effort!
Also glad to see an (partly) aerial view of refurbished RWY16. Take off roll was smooth I suppose(?).
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): One night we were woken up by 4 Finnish teenagers who decided they wanted to strip off naked and jump into the swimming pool.
Rogerbcn From Spain, joined Sep 2006, 636 posts, RR: 11 Reply 14, posted (1 year 4 months 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 9742 times:
Hola Philip!
Another detailed and interesting TR.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Then I smelt some very nice food coming from the galley and I was not dissapointed.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): It was really worth the wait and was very nice.
I am always envious of these hot plates you get on these legs DUB-ZRH.
I have to accommodate myself to the cold plates they serve in the BCN-ZRH/GVA/BSL legs which are nice but I am dying for a hot one. I love the deseert which is always too small.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): After take off cold meals were served due to the short flying time. Before I realised I was handed a plate of Ham ! I pressed the call button and told the FA that I did not eat Ham and asked if she could russle up something else. She smiled and took the plate away and after a while came back with a really nice sandwich. She handled the situation very well and was very pleasant.
Next time you come to BCN, let me know and we can go for a beer, or two.
Salut!
Roger
"Travelling is living" H.C. Andersen / 13.02.10 BCN-MAD-ZRH-TXL
StefanPAD From Netherlands Antilles, joined Dec 2005, 279 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (1 year 4 months 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 9198 times:
Hi Philip,
nice TR and with great pics. Good job as always!
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Then I smelt some very nice food coming from the galley and I was not dissapointed.
The meal looks delicious. After reading several of your LX gourmet reports I finally booked my first LX C-Class flights. The route will be CDG-ZRH-HAM on Oct 22nd. I hope to get a delicious meal as well.
I've been on this particular machine as well this year, but I sat on 6A in Y.
Quoting Oa260 (Reply 8): Yes you walk into the lounges and a new door on the left next to reception gets you into the Senator lounge and the elevator and steps behind the desk take you to the normal Business class lounge as usual.
But you have been to the longest Lounge bar. I entered the bar from the biz lounge. Is there a second entrance from the senator lounge?
FLIEGER67 From Germany, joined Sep 2003, 2192 posts, RR: 50 Reply 16, posted (1 year 4 months 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 9077 times:
Hi, Phil,
one more great story and pix.
Good impressions about Salou, I stayed also one night there some years ago.
You told me earlier about your thoughts around JetX.
Sounds like a good decision to change for LX this time.
BTW, I´ve read some advertissements about short carribean cruises on the Olstice from
Christmas time on, maybe they send the ship back to Europe next summer.
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3076 posts, RR: 50 Reply 18, posted (1 year 4 months 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 8891 times:
Quoting StefanPAD (Reply 15): I finally booked my first LX C-Class flights. The route will be CDG-ZRH-HAM on Oct 22nd. I hope to get a delicious meal as well.
Sadly you'll only get cold meals on these short hops.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 14): I am always envious of these hot plates you get on these legs DUB-ZRH.
Yes they have great meals on these flights and also ZRH-SKG and ATH. When you do a day trip to ATH or SKG you get double pleasure.
Quoting Rogerbcn (Reply 14): Next time you come to BCN, let me know and we can go for a beer, or two.
For sure , would be nice. You can tell me some nice restaurants to go to with my friend. He is moving there next week from Salou.
Quoting StefanPAD (Reply 15): But you have been to the longest Lounge bar. I entered the bar from the biz lounge. Is there a second entrance from the senator lounge?
Yes but its the only place you can smoke so you go up the stairs in the Senator lounge and the automatic doors open. After your cigarette you have to ask the barman to open the doors to get back into the Senator lounge.
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 16): short carribean cruises on the Olstice from
Christmas time on, maybe they send the ship back to Europe next summer.
Hi Markus yes you are correct , it will do Med cruises in 2009. Cant wait . You should take the trip on it.
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 2201 posts, RR: 20 Reply 21, posted (1 year 4 months 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 8680 times:
Philip. Another great report. Good to see LX still performing well and suits your needs. I'm thinking of taking a trip with them in C as well, in 2009.
FR also good. Ontime flights, and on EI-CSR, a plane which I also flew before. I prefer the cloth seats, which are more comfortable for longer flights, but are usually a lot more dirty. Therefore, I also don't mind the leather counterpart.
Good pics too! The blurry ones from the swimmingpool, on purpose?
Singapore_Air From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 13606 posts, RR: 25 Reply 24, posted (1 year 4 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 7850 times:
A very nice trip report OA260 !
I have a lot of time for Swiss. They are a decent-enough airline.
01 OCTOBER 2009: This user has retired from aviation to the status of lurker. Thanks Airliners.net for some great times
25 Oa260: Yep I do when I go to LHR . Never do the longhaul or Med haul though. I wouldnt mind trying DME sometime and maybe MAN-USA in Prem Y . I only get to
26 LXA340: Nice trip report. That new chuntey that is served with the cheese is delicious. This seems to be some new creation, recently they had some yellowish c
27 OA260: LOL... I knew this would come up !! I like it but not as much as last years. I really wish you could buy last years somewhere... If you ever find it
28 DALCE: Hi Philip, Another great report from your hand, and as ( almost ) always, some cruiseships are included one way or another I'm glad you enjoyed the LX
29 LXA340: hehe, yeah I will do that. I should check once in the food departments of Jelmoli or Globus in Zurich downtown, I guess it's most likely to find it t
30 IliriBDL: Great job with the TR buddy. Enjoyed all the pictures. (and there were plenty of them) lol When is your next trip to Greece?
31 Oa260: Thanks Iliri, Next trip this weekend lol..... I cant wait . Its been a long week.
32 IliriBDL: Make sure you do a TR for Greece. I'm 80% sure that I'll visit Athens next summer, probably with my brother, I want to see Greece so bad. lol
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From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 17531 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 274 posts, 
From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3076 posts, 
I haven't had the chance yet to visit it after renovation.
From Germany, joined Apr 2008, 308 posts, 
From Spain, joined Sep 2006, 636 posts, 
From Netherlands Antilles, joined Dec 2005, 279 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 6400 posts, 
Nevertheless I hope to have an enjoyable trip. 
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