Review: SWISS First Lounge Zurich Airport Terminal A (ZRH)

During my trip to Zimbabwe, I intentionally planned a roughly 10-hour layover at Zurich Airport, to be able to do some lounge hopping, after getting off my SWISS 777 first class flight from Miami.

There are two SWISS First Lounges in Zurich. In a previous installment, I reviewed the SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal E, which is the non-Schengen lounge, and in this post I’ll review the SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A, which is the Schengen lounge.

Admittedly the Terminal E lounge is the “flagship” SWISS First Lounge, and is pretty special. That being said, the Terminal A lounge greatly exceeded my expectations. It’s a gorgeous lounge with an identical food and drink selection to the other lounge, pretty decor, and friendly service.

SWISS First Lounge Zurich location

The SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A isn’t that easy to find, as the signage is limited, and I suspect that’s by design. When you’re in Terminal A, follow the signage in the direction to SWISS Lounges A, which is on the upper level of the terminal (that’s level three, one level above the SWISS Alpine Lounge, for example).

On this level you’ll see the entrance to the SWISS Business Lounge and SWISS Senator Lounge.

When you’re facing this, keep walking to the right a short distance, and then you’ll see a door for the SWISS First Lounge. This is quite easy to miss.

Note that there are two other ways to get to the lounge:

• If you’re originating in Zurich, the first class check-in area offers a dedicated security checkpoint that leads into this lounge
• If you’re coming off a long haul first class flight and are connecting to a flight within the Schengen zone, you’ll have the option of being driven directly to this lounge

I imagine most people visiting this lounge are arriving by one of the above two methods, which explains the lack of obvious signage for the lounge.

SWISS First Lounge Zurich hours

The SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A is currently open daily from 5:30AM until 10PM, covering virtually all departures from the airport.

SWISS First Lounge Zurich entry requirements

Who gets access to the SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A?

• Passengers traveling in SWISS first class same day can access the lounge whether arriving or departing; you can even use this as an arrivals lounge, without an onward boarding pass (assuming you can get through security, which is dependent on where your flight arrives from)
• Passengers traveling in Lufthansa first class same day can access the lounge, but not purely as an arrivals lounge, so there needs to still be a connecting segment
• Miles & More HON Circle members get access to the lounge whenever flying a Lufthansa Group flight same day; there’s no need to be in first class, and there are no route restrictions

In each case, travelers are allowed one guest in the lounge.

SWISS First Lounge Zurich seating & layout

The SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A is roughly 650 square meters (~7,000 square feet), with seating for 80 guests. As a point of comparison, the Terminal E lounge is 750 square meters, with the same capacity, so the lounges are roughly comparable in size.

The centerpiece of this lounge is a sort of V-shaped bar (it then curves further), where all the drinks in the lounge are served from, and which can seat up to 14 people (seven on each side).

The dining area is surrounding the bar. One side has six tables, while the other side of the bar has two tables. Since each table seats two people, this brings the dining area capacity to 16 guests at a time. As you can see, this is quite an elegant dining setup, and it feels like a restaurant quality experience.

Then off to the side of the lounge, you’ll find the area intended primarily for lounging. This space consists of a variety of black leather chairs and couches, which have a bit of privacy thanks to the wooden panels separating them.

The very end of the lounge has some larger couches, ideal if you’re traveling with a larger group.

On the opposite side of the lounge from the above space is an area with four workstations.

While these workstations lack natural light, they’re very practical and private, as they have glass shields that can be closed, making it easy to make private phone calls, etc.

Lastly, near the entrance you’ll find an area with some magazines and newspapers.

This is a beautiful lounge that feels quite exclusive and intimate, and I found that it didn’t get too crowded. This has quite a few similarities to the SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal E. The main differences up until this point are that this lounge doesn’t have the same views and natural light as the other lounge, though on the plus side, it does have workstations, which you won’t find in the other lounge.

SWISS First Lounge Zurich relaxation area

The SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A has a relaxation area, located right next to the workstations.

This essentially consists of one dark room that has two daybeds where you can relax.

If you’re just looking for some peace and quiet for a moment, this will do the trick. However, it’s a far cry from the private bedrooms you’ll find in the SWISS First Lounge Terminal E, so if you want serious sleep, be sure to head over there.

SWISS First Lounge Zurich smoking room & conference room

The SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A is primarily on one level, with a few exceptions, as there’s a small staircase and elevator leading up a level.

One of the amenities here is a smoking lounge, which is quite civilized. Note that the other SWISS First Lounge doesn’t have a smoking area, so smokers may prefer this lounge. It features several leather chairs, and has a small outdoor area where you can stand. It’s not the nicest airport lounge smoking space that you’ll find in the world, but it’s better than what you’ll find in public areas of the airport.

The lounge offers complimentary cigars here, which I’m sure some appreciate. I don’t know why there’s a sticker with payment options, but everything I’ve heard suggests there’s no cost for them.

There’s also some liquor on display here, which you can help yourself to. However, the lounge staff are also happy to bring you another drink up here.

Immediately next to the smoking room you’ll find a conference room, with a table that can accommodate up to eight people.

Also on this level is the door leading to the limousine service. The limousine service isn’t quite as extensive as what you’ll find at Lufthansa’s hubs, but rather it’s primarily offered between terminals, for those going between Terminal A and Terminal E.

SWISS First Lounge Zurich food & drinks

SWISS First Lounges have spectacular catering, and that’s true in both the Terminal A and Terminal E locations, which are nearly identical in that regard.

As far as the concept goes, servers roam the lounge and will offer you drinks anywhere. Then it’s generally recommended that you eat in the dining area, where the food is primarily a la carte, though there’s also a small buffet.

Near the entrance, this lounge has a table with all kinds of sweet and savory snacks, ranging from chocolates to nuts.

The lounge also has a small refrigerated display, where you can help yourself to whatever you’d like. One display has drinks, including water, soda, juice, beer, smoothies, and more.

The other display has snacks, ranging from muesli, to finger sandwiches, to pastries, to other small appetizers.

When I first arrived in the lounge, I ordered an americano and some still water.

Later on, I sat down in the dining area for a meal. You can find the SWISS First Lounge menu below.

You can find the SWISS First Lounge drink list below.

For my main course, I decided to order the falafel with hummus, eggplant caviar, pomegranate, and pita bread. How gorgeous and intricate is this dish?! This isn’t your average lounge food, and SWISS really has some of the best lounge catering in the world.

Then for dessert, I ordered the domino cake with orange gel, tangerine sorbet, and mascarpone cream. It was as scrumptious as it was beautiful.

Later on in the evening (I had a very long layover!) I ordered an iced latte, and also helped myself to one of the cute-looking donuts (I don’t know the last time I’ve had a donut, but yum!).

SWISS First Lounge Zurich bathrooms & showers

The SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A bathrooms are located in the very back left corner of the lounge.

The men’s room has three sinks, two stalls, and four urinals, and was spotlessly clean, with toiletries from Soeder.

The lounge also has four shower suites.

Each shower suite has a sink, a toilet, and a walk-in shower, with exceptional ventilation. Even after taking a hot shower, the room didn’t feel hot at all, which was awesome.

Bottom line

The SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A greatly exceeded my expectations, especially for a Schengen lounge. While the airline is primarily known for its non-Schengen lounge in Terminal E, this lounge has many of the same features.

This lounge has among the best dining you’ll find in any lounge, attentive service, areas for relaxing, workstations, and a smoking area. There are pros and cons to each of the two lounges for first class passengers at the airport, though I think this lounge offers the full experience, minus the bedrooms and terrace. What a lovely lounge!

What’s your take on SWISS First Lounge Zurich Terminal A?