I’ve flown Swiss many times before, both on short-haul and longhaul flights. Up until now my longhaul flights on them have been limited to first class. Back in the day they released a ton of first class award space, and they’ve long had a great first class product. Unfortunately not only do they not release first class award space to partner airlines anymore, but they don’t even release first class award space to all of their own Miles & More members. Instead you have to be at least a mid-tier Senator member in order to even book a Swiss first class award.
As a result, I was curious to check out Swiss’ business class product, since it’s the best that most of us can hope for from hereon out on award tickets.
Swiss 196
Zurich (ZRH) – Beijing (PEK)
Tuesday, July 1
Depart: 1:20PM
Arrive: 5:15AM (+1 day)
Duration: 9hr55min
Aircraft: Airbus A330
Seat: 9K (Business Class)
We boarded through door 2L at around 12:50PM, where we were greeted by the friendly purser and crew members, who alternated between “hello,” “gruezi,” and “ni hao.” We were pointed right towards out seats, which were 9K and 10K. The first thing I noticed, before even getting to my seat, was that the crew was gorgeous. Three of the four business class flight attendants were in their early 20s and almost uncomfortably attractive.
Swiss business class A330
Swiss business class A330
Swiss now features the same business class product throughout their longhaul fleet. Their A330s feature 45 business class seats, alternating between four and five seats per row. The seats are fully flat and in a staggered configuration — the Vantage variety, specifically.
Swiss A330 seatmap per SeatGuru
The product is similar to what Austrian and Brussels offer, for example. One thing I prefer about Swiss’ configuration is that on the right side of the aircraft they exclusively have single seats, which are similar to the single seats that Delta offers on their 767s. The advantage of these is that they’re not the “throne” seats, so do have a bit more room for your feet when you’re trying to sleep.
Swiss business class A330
Swiss business class A330
Andrew was seated in 10K, right behind me. That’s the seat closer to the aisle.
Swiss business class A330, seat 10K
Swiss business class A330, seat 8K
I was seated in 9K, which is the window seat closer to the window, though in the case of row nine there’s a missing window, which is unfortunate.
Swiss business class A330, seat 9K
To the left of the seat were the seat controls, which were fairly intuitive, though had a few extra “features,” like being able to increase or decrease the firmness of the seat.
Swiss business class seat controls
Separately, to the side of the seat were more controls, which were convenient when in the reclined position. You could also control the massage function from there, which is a pretty cool feature of the seat.
Swiss business class seat massage and light controls
Also to the left of the seat were the entertainment controls.
Swiss business class entertainment controls
Then to the left of the seat and up a bit from the controls were the Empower adapter and headphone jack.
Swiss business class power port and headphone jack
The seatback pocket was located to the left of the seat, and there was an upside down clothes-hanger in there with my seat number, which I thought was smart, rather than the flight attendants having to write out the seat number each time.
Swiss business class seatback pocket
Swiss business class entertainment screen
While there wasn’t a massive amount of “foot space” for sleeping, there was definitely more than in the comparable “throne” seats. And at least there was additional knee room thanks to the space between the seat and the fuselage.
Swiss business class legroom
Waiting at my seat were a pillow and blanket. The blanket was light and pillow was firm.
Swiss business class pillow & blanket
There were also headphones, though they weren’t especially comfortable; I used my own.
Swiss business class headphones
Shortly after settling in a flight attendant came around with the amenity kits.
Swiss business class amenity kit
They were fairly basic, and featured socks, eye shades, earplugs, toothpaste, a toothbrush, etc.
Swiss business class amenity kit contents
Shortly thereafter bottled water was distributed.
Swiss business class water bottle
Pre-departure beverages were then served. I selected champagne, which was a glass of Duval-Leroy Brut. It wasn’t the best airline champagne in the world, but perfectly drinkable.
Swiss business class pre-departure champagne
Hot towels were then distributed.
Swiss business class pre-departure hot towel
And then menus were distributed by the purser.
Swiss business class menu
Around our scheduled departure time the captain came on the PA to inform us that we were still waiting on a few bags. He told us that our flight time would be 9hr25min, which would put us into Beijing on schedule.
At 1:35PM we finally pushed back, right as a Qatar Airways 787 was pulling into a gate near us. At this point the safety video began to play.
Zurich Airport planes
We taxied out to runway 34, which took about 15 minutes.
Pushing back Zurich Airport
I love taxiing around Zurich Airport, not only because of the variety of traffic, but also because the landscape is so beautiful.
Swiss A330 Zurich Airport
Crossing runway Zurich Airport
Taxiing to runway Zurich Airport
At around 1:50PM we made it to runway 34, where we were immediately cleared for takeoff.
Ready for takeoff Zurich Airport
Ready for takeoff Zurich Airport
Our climb out was smooth, and as usual I was glued to the window for the first 15 minutes of the flight, enjoying views of the surrounding landscape.
After takeoff from Zurich
After takeoff from Zurich
Airshow after takeoff
After that I took a look at the entertainment system, which was easy to use though not especially extensive, in my opinion. I always bring my own entertainment so that wasn’t an issue for me.
Swiss business class entertainment system
Swiss business class entertainment system
Swiss business class entertainment system
About 20 minutes after takeoff the seatbelt sign was turned off and service began. The crew first came around to take orders, asking for everyone’s first course and main course preference.
The lunch menu read as follows:
And the wine list read as follows:
All the service was done by carts, starting with a drink service. I had a glass of champagne and still water to start, which were served with packaged almonds.
Swiss business class drinks and nuts
I had ordered the salmon for lunch, but after the drink service a flight attendant came around to tell me that they were short on salmon, and asked if I wouldn’t mind switching to another option. The beef sounded equally good to me, so I gladly switched to that.
Within a couple of minutes the friendly purser came by my seat to offer me a first class amenity kit and slippers as a thanks for switching meals. It of course wasn’t a big deal, so I thought that was a nice touch (compared to my recent Etihad flight, where I didn’t get my choice of starter or main course, and no apology was made).
Swiss first class amenity kit and slippers
Soon enough the lunch service began, starting with the appetizer and salad served on a tray.
To start I had the sea bass tartare with smoked halibut and seasonal salad, both of which were excellent.
Swiss business class appetizer and salad
Swiss business class appetizer
Swiss business class salad
For the main course I had the beef with fondant potatoes, which was also excellent.
Swiss business class main course
After that it was time for dessert. I had an espresso, raspberry compote with lavender cream, and a glass of Baileys on the rocks.
Swiss business class dessert, espresso, and Baileys
Shortly thereafter a cheese course was offered.
Swiss business class cheese
Lastly, service finished with a selection of pralines from a box.
Swiss business class praline
Service throughout the meal was excellent. The crew was enthusiastic, friendly, and attentive. While all the service was done from carts, the crew still passed through the aisle several times between courses to see if anyone wanted more bread, drinks, etc. The meal pace was also good — the entire meal took maybe two hours.
After lunch landing forms were distributed.
China landing form
I browsed the duty free magazine, and noticed they were selling Schlappis, a small stuffed animal dog. There are three things I collect — Rimowa amenity kits, Lufthansa rubber ducks, and airline branded stuffed animals. So I had to pick one up not just because it was an airline branded stuffed animal, but because his name was only one letter off from my last name.
Swiss duty free magazine
While this was technically a redeye flight, as you’d expect there was daylight for all but roughly two hours of the flight, given what a northerly flight this was in the peak of summer.
View after lunch
After lunch I changed in the lavatory. They had some additional amenities there, including refreshing towels and Valmont toiletries.
Swiss business class lavatory amenities
There was also a little snack setup in the galley, consisting of fruit, packaged chocolate, breadsticks, etc.
Swiss business class galley snacks
I decided to take a nap at this point, and slept very well for about two hours. Room for your feet when sleeping is somewhat limited with these seats, though not horribly so. Of course I’d take a reverse herringbone seat over this any day, but I also wouldn’t go out of my way to avoid this seat.
Swiss business class bed position
Swiss business class bed position
I woke up after about two hours and figured I’d stay up since I really wasn’t tired.
Airshow upon waking up
View upon waking up
I decided to watch a couple of TV shows on my iPad. One of the flight attendants passed through the aisle and offered me Movenpick ice cream. I took him up on the offer.
Swiss business class Movenpick ice cream
I got a bit of work done on my laptop, and before I knew it we were a couple hours out of Beijing.
Airshow
Swiss A330 business class cabin view
At this point I decided to once again take a look at the entertainment system, and found a pretty cool documentary about Peninsula Hotels. I learned a lot about the chain I didn’t know.
Swiss business class entertainment selection
About two hours out breakfast service began, which seemed awfully early on a fairly short redeye flight with a one course breakfast (of course it didn’t bother me since I was up anyway).
The breakfast menu read as follows:
The breakfast consisted of a plate with cold cuts and cheese, some muesli, and a hot small egg side dish. Bread was offered along with breakfast as well.
Swiss business class breakfast
Swiss business class breakfast cold cuts and cheese
Swiss business class breakfast eggs
Swiss business class breakfast muesli
After breakfast I decided to watch a show about “the secret life of dogs.”
Swiss business class entertainment selection
About 45 minutes before landing the captain came on the PA to give us an updated arrival time and inform us of the weather in Beijing.
Sunrise view shortly before landing
Shortly thereafter the seatbelt sign was turned on.
Airshow before landing
Airshow before landing
Our descent into Beijing seemingly took forever, because we passed the airport flying east, then turned around to fly west, and then finally turned north to land on runway 36R, where we touched down at 5:25AM.
View on approach into Beijing
View on approach into Beijing
Our touchdown was smooth, though as is the norm at Beijing Capital Airport, the taxi took forever.
View upon landing in Beijing
View upon landing in Beijing
At least the traffic on the taxi in was interesting, including a cargo 747 and Transaero 747.
View upon landing in Beijing
View upon landing in Beijing
View upon landing in Beijing
View upon landing in Beijing
Taxiing to gate in Beijing
Taxiing to gate in Beijing
We finally made it to our gate at around 5:45AM, where we parked next to an Air China A330.
Taxiing to gate in Beijing
Bottom line on Swiss business class
I was pleasantly surprised by Swiss business class. The seat is kind of average for “modern” business class, in my opinion — it’s not my favorite and not my least favorite — but the food was good and service spectacular. I wouldn’t hesitate to fly Swiss business class again anytime.
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