Upon landing in Zurich, Andrew realized he had never been issued a boarding pass for our flight to Beijing, so we went to the transfer desk, which was just a few minutes walk away from our arrival gate. While the agent at the transfer desk was friendly, she asked to see his visa. When we…
Continue reading: Review: Swiss Panorama Lounge Zurich
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Scanning BP to get wifi reminds me of Air China Forst lounge, where I had to scan my passport to get wifi code (although I don't know if there was a time limit).
I wonder if they monitor your internet browsing and use the scanned pass code to link it back to an identity. Likely in China, in Switzerland not so sure.
@Lucky, does the Panorama Lounge allow access to Staralliance GOLD holder travelling in Economy?
Automated post Ben? I'm assuming so.
There's no way you could've wrote that up and published in real-time in the wake of MH17.
@ Deo -- Yes, I was flying Amsterdam to Chicago, which was surreal in and of itself. More on that shortly.
@ Neil S. -- Just to have a copy of your itinerary and also a print out of the rules.
Try the lounges in MAD where you only get 30 minutes wifi at a time. Ok you don't have to scan your BP so you can get more of them but you have to go back to the reception desk, and every time they give you this silly little card that you have to scratch the password off with a coin like it's a lottery ticket.
I was in the Panorama Lounge a couple of weeks ago, and discovered that internet access via Boingo was available, and allowed me to extend my time on line. Fortunately, just before the trip I had activated my Boingo subscription through my Amex Platinum Card.
Wifi is a scarce resource that needs to managed to meet the expectations of all premium passengers. 60 minutes is more than adequate to take care of any last minute needs that cannot be done offline. Anything more than that, suggests a more serious (addictive) problem.
Hmm... The first-class lounge (whatever the heck it's called) is better; I was there maybe for 30 minutes so don't recall the whole 60-minute rule for Wi-Fi.
Anyhow, I know you are writing about a J trip here and not F but can we discuss how strange it is to be driven to the vicinity of a gate at ZRH instead of directly to the plane like in FRA? If they go through all the trouble of getting us into a van, why not go to the plane directly? Strange...
Say what you will about the 60 minute wifi limit, one thing I know is that the Panorama Lounge staff and its patrons are incredibly honest and trustworthy. During a long layover at the Panorama Lounge last January on my way to S. Africa, I managed to a leave an expensive telephoto camera lens on one of the couches. I contacted lounge staff from S. Africa when I noticed it missing. They referred me to the airport Lost & Found Dept. who emailed me several days later informing me it was in their possession. During a stopover in Zurich on my return trip to Boston 4 weeks later I was easily able to pick up the lens at the Lost & Found office. Yes, in typical Swiss fashion I had to pay a nominal fee for the administrative efficiency of the Airport Lost & Found Dept., but seriously, in how many international airports would I likely to have had the good fortune to ever see that lens again? I didn't get to use the outdoor seating area because it was January, but on my next trip through Zurich in September I will be able to get some great photos of aircraft and the Swiss mountains using the telephoto lens several kind and honest strangers assisted in returning to its rightful owner!
@ Hasse — I think it depends on the airline you are flying. I've been allowed access as *G when flying LX, but I've heard of people being turned away when flying UA.
I was just in this lounge and I felt it was lacking something... The buffet was really small and there was no free unlimited WiFi. The whole airport at 60 minutes free so the lounge should of allowed more. Although the outdoor terrace was really nice. While I was in the lounge I saw a full turnaround of a Emirates A380!
I did a second take when I reached that spare public area on the second floor... seemed odd.They did have very friendly staff in the lounge though and were serving spaetzle when I flew through.
That bare area on the 3rd floor near the lounge used to be a public restaurant, but it seems the airport didn't really like it and never advertised it much so it closed a long time ago, probably because of lack of customers. It's a shame to leave that public area so bare, some flowers or decorations, even some seating would go a long way making that area friendlier!
And ZRH really is hot, please let the airport know in written complaints, hopefully, they listen to their customers, they don't listen to us and we have to work in those conditions...
Don't know why you are so impressed by the train system, it's so slow, especially when entering the station. Exactly 30 sec. from entering the station until the doors open! Would trade it for the ATL plane train any day! 🙂
U got to be kidding me, Panorama loung is the worst lounge on this planet, don't bother coming up here, no food anyway and so unwelcomed, look like they really pissed off you are coming to bother them, it's my third time here and always the same ... I just can't be believe it, for God sake, Pakistanis airports have much better lounge then this! I am so sorry to see the Swiss have got it wrong once again, as any of them ever travelled in other first world countries before, apparently they never been to any other lounges! Sorry I have to go cause my one hour complementary Wi-Fi that is about to expire and cannot get a second hour... Cause it's against the lounge rules!!! Lol ho yes, and I have to go get some food at the restaurant cause nothing here to eat! Haha