- Last US Airways Star Alliance 90K: Introduction
- Around the World on 90k Part I: Warsaw and Beijing with Nothing But a Passport and a Dream(liner)
- Around the World on 90k Part II: Blowing Through the Horn of Africa
- Review: Korean Air Lounge New York JFK
- Review: LOT Polish Business Class 787 New York To Warsaw
- Review: Westin Warsaw
- Review: LOT Polish Business Class Lounge Warsaw
- Review: LOT Polish Business Class ERJ-170 Warsaw To Zurich
- Review: Swiss Panorama Lounge Zurich
- Review: Swiss Business Class A330 Zurich To Beijing
- Review: Grand Hyatt Beijing
- Review: Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 787 Beijing To Addis Ababa
- Review: Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge Addis Ababa
- Review: Ethiopian Airlines Business Class 767 Addis Ababa To Frankfurt
- Review: Lufthansa Business Class Lounge Frankfurt
- Review: Lufthansa Business Class 747-8 Frankfurt to Washington
- Review: Park Hyatt Washington DC
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.
Zurich Airport terminal
While the agent at the transfer desk was friendly, she asked to see his visa. When we explained we were doing a 72 hour transit without visa, she started doing some typing in her computer, and then eventually said that the transit without visa was only valid for up to 24 hours, and not 72 hours.
We stood our ground, and then she made a phone call to some other department, and they confirmed that we could indeed transit for up to 72 hours without a visa.
As far as lounge usage goes, we had two options — we could use the Swiss Business/Senator Lounge, which is Swiss’ main lounge in Zurich (it features the longest airport bar in the world), or we could use the Panorama Lounge, which is located in the E Concourse, where our connecting flight was departing from. Since I had done the Swiss Lounge many times before and it’s nothing special, we figured we’d head over to the Panorama Lounge, so that we’d be closer to our departure gate. Unfortunately, we couldn’t check out the First Class Lounge, one of the best airport lounges in the world.
Zurich Airport terminal
The main terminal in Zurich Airport is gorgeous, though I find the temperatures inside to consistently be hot, which I guess isn’t surprising given the amount of natural light it has. We then cleared passport control and took the train over to the E Concourse. Zurich Airport probably has my favorite airport train system out there, given that there are cow “mooing” noises while the train goes between concourses, and there’s a cool graphics display on the wall of the tunnel.
Here’s a video I found of it on YouTube:
Zurich Airport terminal
Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport
Once in the E Concourse we walked around the terminal once to check out all the planes. This is where all of Swiss’ longhaul flights depart from, so there was tons of fun traffic, including a bunch of A330s and A340s.
Swiss A340 Zurich Airport
Edelweiss A330 Zurich Airport
We then took the elevator up to the second level, where the Panorama Lounge is located.
Zurich Airport terminal
Zurich Airport terminal
Panorama Lounge signage Zurich Airport
The public areas of the second level are rather bare.
Walkway to Panorama Lounge Zurich Airport
The lounge is a very short walk from the elevator, and located on the right side.
Walkway to Panorama Lounge Zurich Airport
We were promptly admitted, and were told to scan our boarding passes to get Wi-Fi codes. The ridiculous thing about this lounge is that you only get 60 minutes of free Wi-Fi, and once you use it up you can’t get another code. Since it scans your boarding pass, it won’t give you another code if you scan a second time. Rather ridiculous, in my opinion.
Panorama Lounge Zurich Airport Wi-Fi code machine
Anyway, the lounge itself is okay. It tends to be pretty crowded since it’s where all the longhaul flights depart from.
Panorama Lounge Zurich Airport
There are both tables with chairs, as well as couches with coffee tables.
Panorama Lounge Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge Zurich Airport
The buffet spread isn’t all that impressive. There’s some snack mix, a few cold options, soup, and then two hot dishes.
Panorama Lounge buffet Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge buffet Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge buffet Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge buffet Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge buffet Zurich Airport
The drink selection is probably more impressive than the food spread, with a selection of self serve liquor, wine, beer, soft drinks, etc.
Panorama Lounge drinks Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge drinks Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge drinks Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge drinks Zurich Airport
The coffee machine in the lounge is fairly decent, and they even have “proper” latte glasses, which I appreciate.
Panorama Lounge coffee machine Zurich Airport
Panorama Lounge latte Zurich Airport
The only thing that makes this lounge kind of awesome is the outdoor terrace they have, which I guess is why it’s called the “panorama lounge.” It’s awesome to be able to enjoy fresh air in Zurich at an airport in summer, and that’s especially true when you’re looking directly at a Singapore A380.
Panorama Lounge terrace Zurich Airport
Singapore A380 Zurich Airport
Singapore A380 Zurich Airport
I was of course most amused by the A380, while Andrew nearly had a heart attack out of excitement when he saw a US Airways 767-200.
View from Panorama Lounge terrace Zurich Airport
US Airways 767-200 Zurich Airport
Our flight was scheduled to depart Zurich at 1:20PM, so at around 12:30PM we headed down to our departure gate.
Zurich Airport terminal
There was another passport check at the gate, and once again the agent wanted to see our visas. He was much more familiar with the rules, though, and once we showed him our itinerary with a connection to Ethiopia he stamped our boarding passes (and chuckled at our routing).
Departure gate to Beijing
At around 12:50PM boarding was called, starting with first and business class.
Departure gate to Beijing
Swiss A330 Zurich Airport
Bottom line
I’ve never really been impressed by the lounges in Zurich Airport. I find it absolutely ridiculous that they all restrict the amount of free Wi-Fi you can get. On the plus side, at least this lounge has nice views of big planes, which is at least a consolation prize.
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...
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
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...
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! :-)
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.
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!
@ 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.
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...
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!
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...
@geraldo
Read the first part of the trip report.
Who is Andrew?
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.
@ Marshall -- Is it April 1?
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.
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.
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.
@Lucky, does the Panorama Lounge allow access to Staralliance GOLD holder travelling in Economy?
@ Hasse -- I believe so.
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.
So what is the best way to prepare for the China visa questions?
@ Neil S. -- Just to have a copy of your itinerary and also a print out of the rules.
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).