For the primary phase of my journey to Zimbabwe, I flew SWISS’ Boeing 777-300ER top quality on the 8hr20min in a single day flight from Miami (MIA) to Zurich (ZRH). This was my first time in a few years flying SWISS top quality, and I used to be trying ahead to seeing how the expertise was holding up.
I’m pleased to report that I used to be very happy with the expertise. SWISS’ top quality suites are spacious, and the airline presents spectacular meals and drinks, nice facilities, and pleasant service. So far as Lufthansa Group airways go, this positively felt a step above Lufthansa top quality (although in equity, I do love the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380 at Lufthansa).
How I booked my SWISS top quality ticket
Until you could have elite standing with the Miles & Extra program (the loyalty program of Lufthansa and SWISS), it’s not doable to redeem miles immediately for SWISS top quality.
So, how did I fly SWISS top quality? I booked my SWISS ticket utilizing Air Canada Aeroplan factors. Particularly, I booked the next award in enterprise class for 70,000 Aeroplan factors plus $74.41 in taxes and costs:
2/11 LX65 Miami to Zurich departing 7:50PM arriving 10:50AM (+1 day)
2/12 LX736 Zurich to Amsterdam departing 8:45PM arriving 10:25PM
Aeroplan factors are straightforward to come back by, as this system is switch companions with Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, and Chase Final Rewards. On high of that, Aeroplan usually sells factors at a reduction.
I then upgraded the ticket from enterprise class to top quality. On an area obtainable foundation, SWISS sells top quality upgrades at check-in, even on companion award tickets, so I managed to efficiently get a kind of upgrades, although at a steep value. Nonetheless, I figured it was value it to lastly be capable of overview this product once more.
SWISS top quality lounge & boarding
I arrived at Miami Airport shortly earlier than 6PM, for the 7:50PM departure to Zurich. On the check-in desk, I used to be pleasantly stunned to seek out that each Lufthansa and SWISS now supply escorts by way of safety on the airport.
Through the afternoon and night peak rush, the safety checkpoints at Terminal H & J at Miami Airport would possibly simply be probably the most disagreeable safety expertise in the US, and having an escort saved plenty of time, as she actually walked me to the entrance of the road.
SWISS sends its top quality passengers to the LATAM Lounge, which I suppose is meant to be extra premium than the Turkish Lounge, although I’m unsure why. After I walked into the lounge and noticed how crowded it was, I made a decision to depart.
Am I the one one who would relatively sit within the under space than within the above lounge? As a result of that’s precisely what I did. The type SWISS escort stated she might choose me up when boarding began, however I stated that wasn’t mandatory, as I used to be already within the gate space.
Anyway, I noticed the inbound Boeing 777-300ER arrive from Zurich round 6PM, pulling into gate J18. I’d be flying on HB-JNB, a airplane that was delivered to the airline in 2018.
Boarding was scheduled to begin at 7:15PM, and certain sufficient, that’s precisely when boarding began, with top quality passengers being invited to board first.
SWISS 777 top quality cabin & seats
Boarding occurred by way of the second set of doorways, the place I used to be greeted by the maître de cabine, and pointed left into top quality. On the 777-300ER, this primary includes strolling by way of two rows of SWISS’ staggered enterprise class.
That then leads into the primary class cabin, which consists of a complete of eight seats, unfold throughout two rows, in a 1-2-1 configuration. SWISS’ top quality cabin feels understated but elegant, for my part.
These touring with a companion could need to choose one of many heart pairs of seats. Many trendy top quality suites make it arduous to benefit from the flight with another person, although these seats are nice for these functions, as you might be proper subsequent to your companion. Observe that should you’re touring alone and find yourself in one in every of these seats, there’s a protect that may be raised for privateness.
In the meantime solo vacationers will little question choose the window seats, providing each a window view and entry to the aisle.
I assigned myself seat 2K, the window seat on the precise aspect within the second row. There have been a complete of three folks in top quality. The opposite two folks have been seated on the left aspect of the cabin, so I had the whole proper aspect of the cabin to myself — rating!
First-class consists of a spacious and nicely padded seat, which is 22″ extensive. It’s straightforward to get comfy on this seat.
Throughout from the seat is a 32″ private tv, in addition to an ottoman that doubles as a buddy seat. You need to use that buddy seat so to dine face-to-face with a companion, should you’d like.
The tray desk folds out from the aspect of the seat, and is huge. It’s a single tray that’s additionally fairly heavy, so taking it out and storing it’s fairly the ordeal (and is normally dealt with by the crew).
There’s a compartment to the aspect of the seat, containing an leisure controller, all of the seat controls, AC and USB-A charging ports, and the headphone jack (which has in all probability seen higher days).
There’s additionally a big lamp on the again nook of the seat, with the lighting depth simply managed by a button subsequent to it.
Privateness in SWISS’ 777 top quality is type of a humorous matter. These days it’s frequent for top quality seats to have doorways, and I assume that’s type of what SWISS has? For one, the seat has a privateness protect that may be managed with a button subsequent to the seat, and that extends to in regards to the midway level of the seat.
The seat additionally has a wardrobe the place you’ll be able to dangle garments, and that may be pulled out.
Whenever you prolong each the protect and the wardrobe, that primarily offers you a door. So the privateness is good when sleeping, however I usually wouldn’t plan on pulling the wardrobe out in the course of the flight in any other case, because it’s a type of awkward setup.
As you’ll be able to see above, seat 2K has three home windows, which is sort of cool! Reasonably than having guide window shades you can increase or decrease, there are as an alternative blinds that may be managed with the push of a button. I believe it is a elegant contact, although it all the time makes it arduous to take photos out the window, since there’s an additional protect with this setup.
The one different factor value mentioning is that SWISS doesn’t have particular person air nozzles on its 777s, however relatively the overhead console simply has studying lights.
All-in-all, I believe it is a nice top quality arduous product. Is it probably the most innovative one on earth? No. But it surely’s considerably higher than Lufthansa’s top quality arduous product, and makes for a really comfy journey.
SWISS top quality facilities
Inside moments of settling in, each of the primary class flight attendants stopped by my seat to introduce themselves, together with the person working within the cabin and the lady working within the galley. I used to be provided a pre-departure drink of selection, and ordered a glass of champagne.
At present SWISS is serving Pommery Cuvee Louise Millesime 2006, which I loved immensely. This was served with an amuse bouche, consisting of a carrot panna cotta and a few breadsticks, in addition to a heat towel. It’s all the time a pleasant contact when airways have a bit snack with the pre-departure beverage, so excessive marks to SWISS on that.
Already ready at my seat upon boarding was an amenity package, saved in a second SWISS branded bag.
The amenity package was nicely stocked, with a dental package, earplugs, eyeshades, comb, shoehorn, and tissues. On high of that, there was a field of Ricola candies, in addition to skincare merchandise from Soeder.
I used to be additionally offered with each pajamas and slippers.
The pajamas are created in partnership with Zimmerli, they usually’re very top quality, and fairly fashionable. I took these dwelling, and have been carrying them round the home once in a while.
The slippers are additionally fairly comfy and durable, and I really like how they’ve the SWISS branding on them.
Headphones have been additionally on the seat, and have been simply okay, however nothing particular.
Towards the top of the boarding course of, the menu and beverage record have been distributed.
The maître de cabine had nice consideration to element. A couple of minutes earlier than departure she walked by my seat and noticed some plastic wrappers sitting there (from eradicating the packaging from some facilities), so she grabbed them and stated she’d be again shortly to greet me. Certainly, she got here by a few minutes later to welcome every top quality passenger aboard, and supply them with a voucher at no cost Wi-Fi.
SWISS 777 top quality leisure & Wi-Fi
SWISS has a stable leisure choice on its 777s, which is sort of a distinction to what you’ll at present discover on the service’s A330s. Curiously the 32″ monitor isn’t touchscreen, however relatively every thing needs to be managed by way of the distant to the aspect of the seat.
The system contained a big number of motion pictures, and a extra restricted number of TV exhibits. There have been practically 250 motion pictures, together with many current titles, so it shouldn’t be too arduous to remain entertained whereas onboard.
Among the TV choice included airline particular programming, which I all the time love. For instance, you can watch the under SWISS model movie, which I like.
As you’d anticipate, there was additionally a number of video games and music.
As all the time, my favourite inflight leisure characteristic is the shifting map, in order that’s what I had turned on for a lot of the flight.
One different quirk value mentioning — SWISS doesn’t activate its leisure system till nicely after takeoff. Is that this some type of a security regulation in Switzerland or on the firm, or one thing else?
SWISS presents Wi-Fi on its 777s. Again within the day, SWISS had outrageously excessive Wi-Fi pricing based mostly on information utilization, and that was improved a while again. SWISS now has three pricing choices (along with the free Wi-Fi for top quality):
- There’s a messaging plan at no cost, the place you need to use chat apps, together with the flexibility to ship photos
- There’s a 4 hour plan, with no information restrictions, which prices CHF 25 or $28
- There’s a full flight plan, with no information restrictions, which prices CHF 35 or $38
SWISS allows you to swap between gadgets with a single Wi-Fi plan, in order that you can alternate between your laptop computer and smartphone, for instance.
SWISS 777 departure from Miami
At 7:40PM, about 10 minutes earlier than departure, the captain got here to the primary class cabin to personally greet every passenger, which was a pleasant contact. A minute later, he made an announcement over the PA, informing passengers of the flight time of 8hr20min, and an anticipated easy journey.
At 7:45PM the primary cabin door closed, so it seemed like we is perhaps about 5 minutes forward of schedule. Whereas the protection video was screened instantly, oddly we didn’t really go anyplace for fairly a while. We lastly started our pushback at 8:05PM, after which 10 minutes after that we started our taxi.
Our taxi was quick when it comes to distance, although there was fairly a queue on the runway, so we have been solely cleared for takeoff on runway 8R at round 8:35PM. That certain was a drawn out departure.
We rocketed off into the night time sky and had a easy climb out, and the seatbelt signal was turned off about 5 minutes after takeoff. The crew instantly closed the curtains across the cabin, and turned on the temper lighting.
SWISS top quality dinner service
The crew working top quality on this flight have been seasoned professionals, and struck the proper steadiness between offering eating expertise and permitting passengers to maximise relaxation. The dinner service acquired began rapidly after takeoff. You will discover the SWISS top quality dinner menu under.
You will discover the SWISS top quality drink record under.
Inside 20 minutes of takeoff, I used to be provided my first drink. I made a decision to order a glass of the pinot blanc from Switzerland, which I loved. This was poured at my seat — I used to be first provided a style, after which the total glass was poured.
The primary course was served simply 25 minutes after takeoff, which is a formidable tempo. SWISS has fairly the desk setup in top quality, with a big tablecloth, salt and pepper mills, a bread basket, plates with butter and olive oil, and so forth.
There’s fairly a little bit of flexibility with the SWISS top quality eating idea. With the primary course choice, you’ll be able to have as a lot as you’d like, so you can strive all of the dishes, should you needed to.
I began with the fillet of balik salmon (a staple providing in SWISS top quality), in addition to the yuzu marinated shrimp and scallop with cucumber and pear. Whereas maybe not as glam because the caviar service on another airways, the style was nice.
Subsequent up, I had the tomato tortilla soup, which was served in a big bowl, and was surprisingly spicy for airplane meals (which I really like).
For the primary course, I used to be initially tempted to order the fondue, which the flight attendant provided as a particular. Nevertheless, I finally determined in opposition to it when he described it as “a Florida take” on fondue. I appreciated his honesty, and determined I’d save my fondue wishes for the SWISS First Lounge Zurich.
As an alternative, I ordered the salmon with Tuscan vegetable salsa, pearl couscous, and sautéed spinach and leeks. There was additionally an enormous slab of butter on the salmon, which I eliminated. This was an outstanding fish dish, top-of-the-line I’ve had on a airplane. I might’ve been pleased with this in a restaurant, in order that’s saying one thing, given the constraints of meals preparation on planes.
Shortly after being offered with the primary course, the flight attendant got here round with a pan of greens and requested if I needed any, which I declined.
Switzerland is understood for its cheese, so I figured I needed to order a cheese course. What a fantastically offered cheese choice!
Final however not least, it was time for dessert, the place I chosen the tiramisu.
On the conclusion of the meal, I used to be provided a number of sweets from Sprüngli.
This was an outstanding meal from begin to end. Not solely was the meals nicely executed and fantastically offered, however the crew’s tempo was additionally arduous to beat, as the whole meal service was accomplished inside 90 minutes of takeoff. In each occasion, the flight attendant was by my seat inside a minute of me ending my dish, and was already making ready for the subsequent step.
SWISS 777 top quality bathrooms
SWISS has two bathrooms in top quality on the 777, each situated proper behind the cockpit (in order that they’re fairly removed from the cabin, and the bathrooms shouldn’t be a purpose to keep away from row one). The bathrooms have been enough however primary.
The one noteworthy factor in regards to the bathrooms is that they’d a few facilities from Soeder, together with face serum and hand cream.
I’d say {that a} low level of this flight was bathroom cleanliness. That’s to not say that it was filthy, but it surely wasn’t clear on the finish of the flight. That’s one thing I very a lot recognize about many Asian airways, as the primary class bathroom is sort of actually spotless with each single use.
SWISS 777 top quality mattress
Towards the top of the dinner service, the crew provided to arrange my mattress in seat 1A, in order that I might go proper to sleep after I was prepared, which was a pleasant supply. SWISS’ top quality mattress on the 777 is divine. Not solely is the mattress spacious and 80″ lengthy, however the bedding is phenomenal, because it’s tender and comfortable.
I ended up falling asleep with nicely over six hours remaining to Zurich, as we have been approaching Bermuda…
…and I awoke round two hours earlier than touchdown, as we have been off the coast of Spain and Portugal. For me, nicely over 4 hours of interrupted sleep on a transatlantic flight is pretty much as good because it will get.
SWISS top quality breakfast
Upon waking up, the crew was by my seat inside a few minutes to ask if I needed something to drink. I ordered a cappuccino, which was served to me inside a few minutes.
I wasn’t hungry however figured I ought to overview the breakfast choice, so I requested to be served breakfast as late as doable. That was about 75 minutes earlier than arrival. You will discover the SWISS top quality breakfast menu under.
To kick off the meal, I ordered an americano, served with a heat towel.
A couple of minutes later my desk was set. To kick off the meal, I had some recent fruit and muesli, and that was provided with fairly the indulgent bread and pastry basket.
SWISS additionally presents customized eggs in top quality, so I ordered a plain omelet, which was fairly good for an airplane (although I’d be much less pleased with it on the bottom).
SWISS top quality service
The 2 flight attendants working top quality on this flight have been very skilled. They weren’t essentially probably the most over-the-top pleasant (it wasn’t like Singapore Airways when it comes to smiles), however they have been extraordinarily environment friendly, had an eye fixed for element, and have been pleasant in a type of distant method.
On an in a single day transatlantic flight in top quality, it’s all about providing a custom-made but environment friendly service, and this crew nailed that.
SWISS 777 arrival in Zurich
At 10:10AM Zurich time, the primary officer introduced that we have been close to Paris, and could be touchdown in about 40 minutes. Positive sufficient, we began our descent round 10 minutes later, and 10 minutes after that, the crew was suggested to arrange the cabin for touchdown.
Each of the primary class flight attendants, in addition to the maître de cabine, stopped by every top quality passenger to thank them for flying with SWISS, and to want them a pleasant day. It wasn’t a very good day in Zurich, although the views on strategy are nonetheless all the time pretty.
We touched down on runway 14 at 10:50AM.
From there we had a 5 minute taxi to our arrival gate, which was E43, and we pulled in at 10:55AM, only a few minutes not on time.
On the door, there was a SWISS consultant who provided to drive top quality passengers to Terminal A. Nevertheless, I needed to remain in Terminal E, since I used to be testing the SWISS First Lounge there.
Backside line
SWISS’ 777 top quality was a nice shock. The cabin was spacious, the facilities have been nice, the meals and drinks have been scrumptious, the service was pleasant and environment friendly, and I appreciated the free Wi-Fi. I had an incredible flight, and this certain was a deal with, although it’s a disgrace that there’s no sensible method for many of us to redeem miles for SWISS top quality.
Whereas this flight was nice and I’d extremely advocate SWISS top quality, I’d say it’s not fairly within the league of Emirates’ 777 top quality, Japan Airways’ A350 top quality, Singapore Airways’ A380 Suites, and so forth.
What’s your tackle SWISS’ 777 top quality?
