I just had the chance to fly SWISS’ Airbus A350 first class from Zurich (ZRH) to Boston (BOS), featuring the carrier’s new SWISS Senses product (I’ll talk more about how I booked this in my review, but I really wanted to check this out, so I could update my list of the world’s best first class products).
While I’ll share my thoughts on that flight shortly, in this post I’d like to briefly talk about the ground experience in Zurich, which I consider to be excellent, and then I’ll have full reviews soon.
SWISS has two lounges for its first class passengers at its Zurich hub — one Schengen, one non-Schengen — and it really makes for a well-rounded ground experience, as I consider these to be among the best first class lounges in the world. Both lounges are excellent, and it’s nice how they’ll even drive you from one to the other.
SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich Terminal E
The SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich Terminal E is the non-Schengen lounge (primarily for long haul passengers), and it’s 750 square meters (~8,100 square feet), with seating for 80 guests.
The lounge is broken up into two main areas, with one area primarily having seats for lounging around…
…and the other area being a restaurant and bar, with tables and booths.
There are a couple of features of this lounge that really stand out. The lounge features views of the apron, so the plane spotting from the lounge is amazing. Best of all, the lounge even has a terrace, with plenty of outdoor seating.
This is of course a lot more useful in summer than winter (when the terrace is typically closed), and you’ll often find that they even have special food on offer out there, ranging from ice cream to raclette. It really is such a lovely vibe, and such a contrast to so many lounges that are dungeons.
The other special feature of this lounge is that it has two bedrooms, which are the best bedrooms that you’ll find in any airport lounge. The mattress is the most comfortable one that I’ve ever slept on, as it’s so soft.
SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich Terminal A
The SWISS First Class Lounge Zurich Terminal A is the Schengen lounge (primarily for short haul passengers), and it’s 650 square meters (~7,000 square feet), with seating for 80 guests. In terms of design, I think I prefer this lounge to the other one, as it’s a bit newer and sleeker.
Just as in the other lounge, there’s one section dedicated to relaxing…
…and then there’s also a bar and restaurant area.
The downside to this lounge is that it doesn’t have a terrace, great views, or bedrooms. However, the lounge also has some advantages. For example, smokers will like this lounge, as it has a proper smoking lounge, and even has cigars on offer (the other lounge is fully non-smoking).
For those who want a proper place to work, I also like how this lounge has workstations, unlike the other lounge.
The lounge also has a dedicated limousine service area, where you’ll either be driven directly to your plane if departing from a remote stand, or there’s a shuttle service every 10 minutes to Terminal E, for those who are originating in Zurich and want to get there (since it otherwise requires taking a train, while this lounge has a direct flow from check-in). To be clear, there’s also a limousine service from Terminal E, but it’s a bit more restrictive.
SWISS First Class Lounges Zurich have amazing food
There’s one thing that’s identical in both SWISS First Class Lounges, and that’s top notch service, food, and drinks. No matter where you’re seated in either lounge, servers are constantly roaming around to see if you need anything.
The two lounges then have an extensive a la carte dining selection and wine list, with the options being identical in both lounges. After the Air France La Premiere Lounge Paris, this lounge might just have the best dining of any lounge, in my opinion. I’d be thrilled with the dishes served here at a great restaurant, in terms of both taste and presentation.
For example, I had a nice three course lunch, starting with beef carpaccio with cheese, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and olive paste.
I then had the salmon with fava beans, romesco sauce, and alpine herbs
Lastly, I had the ovomaltine mousse signature dessert.
This time around I skipped the cheese fondue, but I do think it’s worth emphasizing how this is on offer, and is absolutely delicious.
*chef’s kiss*
Bottom line
SWISS First Class Lounges in Zurich are top notch. Both lounges are great, so even if you’re traveling within the Schengen zone, you’re really not missing out by skipping the non-Schengen lounge (unless you want the bedroom or terrace).
In terms of accessing these lounges, a same day first class ticket on either SWISS or Lufthansa will get you in. Unfortunately that’s not as easy as it used to be, between SWISS restricting first class award availability to Miles & More Senator members and above, and Lufthansa now no longer releasing first class award space to partner frequent flyer programs.
What’s your take on the SWISS’First Class Lounges in Zurich?
Don't HON members also have access?
I was able to use the Terminal A lounge last autumn. It really is a very nice lounge. Excellent food. I like ZUR airport alot. It's manageable in size, lots of dining options and a beautiful approach from north to runway 14.
"In terms of accessing these lounges, a same day first class ticket on either SWISS or Lufthansa will get you in. "
Is not correct - it must be with one connection or less. Eg ZRH-FRA-MUC-BOS on one ticket where the MUC-BOS leg in first will get you denied entry to the first class lounge in Zurich; speaking from experience! It's not documented, but is their "rule."
Been to the F Lounge in ZRH many many times..... great service, the day bed rooms are the best ever - however they are really stingy having only 2 rooms, they should have provided more of them. The sit down dining (especially for breakfast) is just OK, and the portion size are non existent, they really need more choices for breakfast.
Managed to visit the Term E lounge and fly the old Swiss First (Zurich --> LAX) thanks to your site after Lufthansa decided to downgrade our Lufthansa First flight from FRA to LAX (booked on points) and I phoned and requested they switch us to Swiss First. They denied us 2 times but I know it was possible (thanks to your site) and the 3rd time, the Lufthansa rep said 'of course sir', and did the switch.
The highlight for us was the amazing Swiss Lounge... Wow...
@Ben, could you please do a listing of lounges which feature outdoor terraces? I think it’s a great amenity to be aware of.
V/F
Had 5 F flights last year and they were all amazing. ZRH is a fantastic airport. Was at the SEN E lounge a few days ago with the family and it was quite nice as well. Kids love the terrace.
Indeed amazing. Last month I miraculously got an upgrade to LX First with my about-to-expire e-vouchers and the ground experience in
E-gates lounge (food/service) was excellent.
Does the lounge has its own immigration booth / pass port control, specifically when transferring from the First Class Lounge A to E ? With the long lines at the passport control due to EES, this would enhance the First Class ground experience.
This is an area where LH lacks in Frankfurt, since there is no First Class immigration benefit for arriving passengers.
Yes it does!
@ InternationalTraveler -- It sort of has its own immigration booth. When you leave the Terminal A lounge, you're taken down in an elevator, and then there's an immigration booth which is for the first class lounge, the airport's VIP service, etc. I actually had to wait for around five minutes there, as two families took some time to clear. From there I got in a car to Terminal E. So it's not quite as...
@ InternationalTraveler -- It sort of has its own immigration booth. When you leave the Terminal A lounge, you're taken down in an elevator, and then there's an immigration booth which is for the first class lounge, the airport's VIP service, etc. I actually had to wait for around five minutes there, as two families took some time to clear. From there I got in a car to Terminal E. So it's not quite as seamless as in the La Premiere Lounge Paris, but still an improvement over not having it.
By far the best lounge in the system, IMHO. Unfortunately the A-Lounges will soon be replaced. Lets see how that goes.
When will the A lounges be shut down for the terminal renovation/overhaul, which I understand may last through 2033 (possibly longer)?
If David does not know, Ben, did they publish an expected timeline?
Ben, I eagerly await your review of LX F on the A359, plus your updated first class rankings. Are you going to fly Starlux and Air Côte d'Ivoire first class before you update your list?
@ hanchicago -- I've heard 2027 will be when they create their temporary lounge setup, though I wouldn't be surprised to see that slip.
I plan to publish updated ranking soon based on the products I have flown, but as you know, the two products mentioned are still on my list to try (even though I doubt they'd make my list of top products). :-)
Hi Ben, I would like to ask you on the access to the E lounge transiting from an international first class to intra Europe business class. Is it possible for me to access the first class lounge in terminal e instead of terminal a?
It’s daft, I agree - and the fact that there is no arrivals lounge in Geneva is a problem. You get back from an overnight have a 50 min connect in Zurich (no time to shower) and get to Geneva…. NOT ready to roll. It;s one of the single worst aspects of the premium offering from Swiss . People don’t use it because it is not properly set up - not because they don;t want / expect it.
This isn’t up to your usual standards - no pictures of the menus? Drink selection?
@Ben - what would you say is the ideal amount of time to spend on a layover at this lounge (or what time to arrive at ZRH airport before a flight)? Last time I was in ZRH, I had a 1 hour and 30 minute connection time Schengen to non-Schengen. Getting all the way from the end of the A gates to the E gates and clearing passport control took at least 25 minutes, so...
@Ben - what would you say is the ideal amount of time to spend on a layover at this lounge (or what time to arrive at ZRH airport before a flight)? Last time I was in ZRH, I had a 1 hour and 30 minute connection time Schengen to non-Schengen. Getting all the way from the end of the A gates to the E gates and clearing passport control took at least 25 minutes, so I had only 30 minutes in the lounge, which felt quite rushed. Interestingly, on a previous flight into ZRH arriving into E terminal, there was an escort who met our flight and escorted the F passengers through passport control (and if needed, onwards to European connections). This would have been helpful for the flight back home - but no escorts appeared on arrival in the A gates. Did you have an escort meet you?
Ben, you are spot on with your review. I fly 4 to five round trips a year on Swiss to the USA and always look forward to time spent in the lounges and the service in the air. I travel with a service dog and he is welcomed both in the lounges and in the air.
The best! You didn’t mention the vats of lindt chocolate and Ricola. My fav lounge. But sorry to read the arrivals lounge is going away.
@Ric, it's called respect. What do you do when inside the plane the guy next to you eat fish and you don't like the smell of fish?
Besides, even if I'm an occasional smoker, I never had any problem others who have smoked when I don't want.
Remember back in time when you could smoke in all the restaurants, didn't you went to restaurants that time?
While certainly not traditional, I’ve enjoyed a fondue in Zürich with frites as well as bread and boiled potatoes. As the waiter said “sir, if you enjoy how it tastes, why would you not do that?”
That's my sort of light, healthy snack! I'm also a big fan of Mohnschnitte/poppy seed slice so I'd have been pretty set there.
The ZRH Senator E lounge is also excellent, with similar views nd a whiskey bar. Worth visiting even if you have access to the first lounge.
@ hanchicago -- Thanks! I was connecting within Europe on SWISS in business. SWISS does actually also let you use the First Lounge as an arrivals facility, but a short haul connection also works for either lounge.
Hello, Ben. Thanks for the review of the SWISS first class lounges at ZRH! I presume you were flying onward from ZRH in Lufthansa first class, since you got to experience both SWISS first class lounges after *arriving* in ZRH from MIA in LX F. I mean, normally you wouldn't get to visit these first class lounges for ten hours on arrival in LX F if Zurich was your final destination, correct? You probably covered...
Hello, Ben. Thanks for the review of the SWISS first class lounges at ZRH! I presume you were flying onward from ZRH in Lufthansa first class, since you got to experience both SWISS first class lounges after *arriving* in ZRH from MIA in LX F. I mean, normally you wouldn't get to visit these first class lounges for ten hours on arrival in LX F if Zurich was your final destination, correct? You probably covered this in a separate, but related, post. Or you will cover access rulea in more detail in your expanded review later.
I agree. It does seem extraordinary that in 2024 an airline should offer a smoking lounge, let alone free cigars. The smell of smoke will be in peoples clothes when they come back into the main lounge.
I may or may not have considered buying that mattress after sleeping there on a layover during my honeymoon.
It is a 30k Hastens mattress, incidentally. Yes, insanely priced. But Ben is right - by far the best I have ever slept on.
Surely the mattress geeks here can rec something with a similar feel that is not so egregiously priced?
@ DT -- C'mon, seriously? Right, what I've posted about SWISS has been "unusually glowing" because it's a totally different product than the product that I "ragged" on the carrier over. SWISS is hardly the only airline that invests unequally in its premium products. Similarly, I rag on Emirates' 777 business class, while praising the carrier's new 777 first class. Isn't that fair?
WHAT? The terrace in the Swiss lounge was open yesterday? I was in the Aspire lounge at the E gates and the terrace was closed. Same was with the smoking terrace (lounge) next to the Aspire lounge that was also closed.
When I asked the staff, they said that it's closed because it's wet.
I ended up going to the roof top/observation deck (which was open) and did some plane spotting from there. And in my opinion that's much better than the Aspire lounge in ZRH.
With the complete renovation of the A gates during the next years the F lounge in A will diappear and being established again where the SWISS arrivals lounge now is.
Just a tip: nobody eats Fondue with french fries…. Either small pieces of bread or boiled potatoes are used to stir the cheese.
Thanks Nelson for confirming,
Will be there 1st of March and do enjoy the occasional cigar :-)
Not sure I’d consider a smoking section a plus…I’ve found the smell invariably leaks out
Last time I was there they were free and the logos were also on it. Don't ask me why but I don't get that part also.
Loved spotting at the terrace, and I thought the runway diagram was a nice touch with the Leica binoculars. I wasn't too impressed with their whisky selection, but one of the staff was nice enough to take me to the whisky bar in the Senators Lounge on the other side. Agreed about the quality of the a la carte menu, that alone made me wish I had more time before my flight to JFK.
Looks great. I love the wood throughout the lounge and the black leather seats and sofas. The lounge, to me, is very calming. I’m looking forward to your full reports Ben. They are always fun to read.
@ AJO -- I wondered that too when I looked at it, but last I heard they're free. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, as I'm not a smoker.
Haven't flown LX F since 2019 so its nice to see it's all as good as I remember. E lounge is really awesome. When you spend lots of time there (had 6-7 hours bettween flights) it really feel like a fancy appartment / hotel.
If the cigars are free, why does the box have all sorts of credit card logos on it?
Fully agree with you! ZRH has in my opinion the best First Class Lounges I've ever been, followed by MUC and FRA. I have no experience with Air France La Premiere Lounge Paris as I rarely travel AF but doubt they can beat ZRH. Personally I hate CDG, that much that I almost tend to love LHR.