OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24923 posts, RR: 60 Posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 8278 times:
........................Καλωσορίσατε πάλι .........Welcome again ...........................................
So another trip to get some miles on Swiss Business Class. Athens always works well for me as I can see family or friends in the transit period. This time I was meeting a mate downtown for a few hours so It worked out well.
DATE : 26/OCT/2008
AIRLINE : SWISS
FLIGHT : LX 401
A/C : A320-214
REG : HB - IJL
ROUTE : DUB - ZRH
CLASS : BUSINESS
SEAT : 2F
I checked in two hours before and got my 3 boarding cards as usual.
I then went to the Anna Livia lounge and then the BMI lounge. After a while it was time to go to the D gates. These are being used more and more by Swiss.
Soon time to board. I was greeted by a friendly crew.
I was offered the normal bottle of Water and refresher towel.
AT THE GATE VIDEO CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
TAKE OFF VIDEO CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
Soon the drinks service came around and I opted for Champagne.
Then time for the nice meal. Not my favourite but nice all the same .
Then Coffee and Chocolates
FLIGHT PROGRESS VIDEO CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW
The flight passed quickly and soon it was time to land .
LANDING VIDEO CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
After landing it was time to go one last time to the Observation Deck before they close it down. It is sad to see it go . It was full of families and spotters.
VIDEO VIEWING TERRACE CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
VIDEO LIVE ATC FEEDS
So after a nice time at the Observation Deck it was time to leave and I went into the City Center for a few hours. After that time for my flight to Athens . I spent a while at the Senator and Business Lounges and took a shower.
Re issued Boarding passes
DATE : 26/OCT/2008
AIRLINE : SWISS
FLIGHT : LX 1842
A/C : A321-111
REG : HB - IOF
ROUTE : ZRH-ATH
CLASS : BUSINESS
SEAT : 3A
As we boarded all the passengers were greeted in German and Greek , a nice touch.
ON THE GROUND VIDEO CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
ON THE GROUND VIDEO 2 CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
SAFETY VIDEO CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
After take off time for drinks. I just had Orange juice.
Then time to catch up on the Greek news.
More news on OA
Then Dinner time and one of my Favourites
Swiss Gold ::
Chocolate time
Athens by night
After landing I exited within a matter of minutes and caught the bus to Athens city center.
After 40 mins I arrived into Syntagma Square where my mate was waiting. We then went out for a few hours and then I went back to the Airport bus stop to go back to the Airport.
The airport Museum.
The museum has been built to house amongst other things the ''Elgin Marbles'' or ''Parthenon Marbles'' as we call them . The British government has thus far decided not to return them. I hope that one day they will do some kind of a deal to allow them to return home.
DATE : 27/OCT/2008
AIRLINE : SWISS
FLIGHT : LX 1843
A/C : A321-111
REG : HB - IOF
ROUTE : ATH - ZRH
CLASS : BUSINESS
SEAT : 4F
The Swiss lounge opens at 0530am and the LH Senator lounge opens at 0330am so I was early so I went there first.
After a While I went to the Swiss lounge
A Great selection of drinks and snacks. I love this lounge . Also Ice cream !! But too early for me LOL....
My favourite drink. Cherry juice
Time to board.
ON THE GROUND VIDEO CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
ON THE GROUND VIDEO 2
TAKE OFF VIDEO CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW
After take off a nice Breakfast was served
After that i just wanted to sleep so I did. I woke up later and it was time to land .
I had no time to go to the lounges so it was straight to the next gate for the Dublin flight.
DATE : 27/OCT/2008
AIRLINE : SWISS
FLIGHT : LX 400
A/C : A320-
REG : HB - I??
ROUTE : ZRH - DUB
CLASS : BUSINESS
SEAT : 3F
There were a mix of passengers at the gate. Some of whom were coming from the Far East.
After take off another Breakfast .
Again I went to sleep and woke up as we were landing.
Some gifts from Swiss ::
So thats the end of my report. Another good Swiss experience and some more miles in the bank. Was nice to pop back to Athens and to meet my mate.
Comments and suggestions appreciated as always
Thanks for reading
OA260
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Globetraveller From Germany, joined Apr 2008, 377 posts, RR: 21 Reply 1, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 8118 times:
OA260, I always find it amazing how you manage to pack so much detail into relatively flights. Your reports always make for excellent reads - keep up the detail and the numerous pictures.
Thank you again for all your efforts, we all know how long it takes to create TRs like this.
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16575 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 7953 times:
Great TR
Really like your pics and videos. There is plenty of them, which is great.
It seems like you fly down to Greece from DUB with LX every now and then. How many times have you flown down to Greece so far this year??
EIDAA From Ireland, joined Oct 2006, 821 posts, RR: 16 Reply 7, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 7433 times:
Hi Philip,
Another great report, thanks!
I am really looking forward now to my trip with LX this weekend, but just a shame the observation deck in ZRH will be closed.
I had checked out the ATH option for the mileage run , but with the 45min layover in ZRH I wasn't so sure. Have you had any issues with connections coming through there before? That might be another route to look at in the next couple of months.
DALCE From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1581 posts, RR: 7 Reply 8, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 7380 times:
Another great LX report from your hand.
You seem to enjoy the LX product quite well.
Thanks for sharing your interesting stroy.
Do you know when the Observation deck at ZRH will be closed down?
I have been there quite a lot the last couple of Months and would love to go there again!
Cheers,
Joost ( D-ALCE )
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,AR1,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,AB6. Next flights AMS-ZRH-AMS on
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4917 posts, RR: 55 Reply 9, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 7126 times:
As usual, fantastic TR. I am doing this flight in a month ... perhaps we can compare experiences. Though, I am staying in Athens longer ... gotta go party, and have some super expensive cafe.
B747forever From United States of America, joined May 2007, 16575 posts, RR: 11 Reply 10, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 7126 times:
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 6106 posts, RR: 15 Reply 12, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days ago) and read 6972 times:
Brilliant report Philip!
All the meals on Swiss always look so nice and well presented. It's good to see that Swiss are able to maintain that level of quality service through these hard times in the industry, long may it continue.
StefanPAD From Germany, joined Dec 2005, 282 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 6611 times:
Hi Philip!
Nice TR as always. Amazing, that you go just for a party night across europe
After reading your LX TRs I've had already my first LX C-class experience some days ago. I was so infected that I will maybe do another trip to DUB next month.
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3382 posts, RR: 51 Reply 14, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 6526 times:
Hey Phil, great report as always, a very enjoyable read. Glad you had another good experience after the recent dosappointment. Did you get in contact with LX about it?
A shame about the observation deck, but luckily the midfield observation deck will be open daily from january.
Just as a sidenote: I met some fellas from the Irish aviation college here at VRB, seems that they also do part of their flight training here.
SXDFC From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 2011 posts, RR: 19 Reply 16, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 6434 times:
Great TR as usual Phil! Your TR's are always great to read!
I have a special spot in my room for that bad boy in the bottom right of the picture shes a beauty!
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): There were a mix of passengers at the gate. Some of whom were coming from the Far East.
Is that the pilot in the middle with the Swiss company necktie in the middle? I always loved the look of their company neck ties!!!!
(Pictures Of ATH Airport Lounge, Archeological Site)
I noticed in your pictures you forgot to put the pictures from the shrine they have of Onassis ughh! :P
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): Syntagma Square where my mate was waiting. We then went out for a few hours and then I went back to the Airport bus stop to go back to the Airport.
I love the way that building looks at night!
Again great TR! You know I felt like I went to Greece after reading it! good job my friend!
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
Toulouse From Ireland, joined Apr 2005, 2718 posts, RR: 58 Reply 18, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 6174 times:
Philip,
Another great TR. I really enjoy your trip reports, full of information, but easy to read and to teh point!
Great pictures. You seemed to have had lovely weather in both ZRH and the sunny photos on finals to DUB are nice.
I can't wait to try LX, and as I told you I had planned it for January on a business trip, but as my family are going to join me for a holiday in Switzerland after my business trip, and I've invited my in-laws (I must be mad) I think I'm gonna have to replace LX to ZRH from MAD to EZY from MAD to BSL (we're talking a price of around €300 for everyone on EZY compared to in excess of a €1000 with LX). At least I can rent the car on the French side of BSL (Mulhouse) airport and get a better rate!
LXA340 From Switzerland, joined Nov 2006, 2104 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 5705 times:
Hi, as always really a great trip report. I hope you will continue to post your experiences as detailed as you do. Like all the others who read your reports I also enjoy them very much. Your meal on ZRH - ATH I had it a few weeks ago and I also enjoyed it very much.
Infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 1242 posts, RR: 34 Reply 23, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 5540 times:
An interesting read as always. nice that you were able to visit the terrace one last time. I was on there on Friday, the last day, and it was a very strange feeling.
Quoting Oa260 (Reply 20): midfield observation deck will be open daily from january.
Is there a link to where it is ?? Id love to see it when it opens.
The terrace at Dock E has always been accessible by bus from the main viewing terrace, albeit only on certain days of the week. As from January a shuttle bus will run daily. First a new place to get on and off the buses has be built.
The main terrace won't reopen until 2011 and the plan is for plenty of glass, so it won't quite be the same.
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
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