Swiss Business Class on the 777-300 ER: A solid performance, but we were not entirely convinced – from seat comfort to service, there is still room for improvement.
Review #40
| Departure – planned (actual) | 16.08.2024 – 17:55 (18:30) |
| Arrival – planned (actual) | 16.08.2024 – 9:40 (9:58) |
| Flight duration – planned (actual) | 10:45 (10:28) |
| Delay | 35 minutes at departure 18 minutes at arrival |
| Aircraft type | Boeing 777-300 ER |
| Class | Business |
| Seats | 11 D & 11 G |
Table of Content
Departure airport
Zurich Kloten Airport is only a transit airport for us today. So we can’t really say anything about the option of getting to or the connections at the airport . A few years ago a satellite terminal was added to the main terminal, which only handles non-Schengen flights. The newer terminal can be reached via the ‘Heidi Express’ – an underground railway that connects both terminals automatically and greets farewell to all passengers from Switzerland by a greeting from Heidi – the very famous cartoon girl that lives far up in the swiss alps.
Check-in
As we had already checked in our bags at the departure airport, we did not get into any contact with the check-in area, as we were staying inside the transit area. Our luggage was checked through to our final destination, Bangkok.
Lounges
As one of the many benefits granted by the American Express Platinum card, we were given a Priority Pass as a perk and were able to choose between two lounges in Area E (the Satellite).
Primeclass Lounge
We chose Primeclass Lounge first and were given a very friendly welcome. The rooms are brand new and beautifully designed, everything is clean and tidy.
Unfortunately, the food was disappointing throughout as the pasta offered fresh from the kitchen was completely overcooked and tasted of nothing, the schnitzel was soggy and had a lot in common with cardboard. As a side we could choose between convenience food vegetables and plain rice – an no sauce at all anywhere to be seen. Unfortunately, even though it was kept in a warming container, the food was at most only lukewarm.
The rest of the buffet consisted of very few salad options and some strange looking desserts. If I had to score the whole meal, I would give it a 0.
Drinks were available in large containers only, but we weren’t allowed to take the large bottles to our seat and had to pour our drinks on the spot. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much room to do this. In addition there were also some spirits and a coffee machine alvailable.
However, there was a very large terrace to one side of the lounge, featuring some nice furniture and spectacular views of the tarmac. And as we were there in August the terrace was very inviting for a bit of fresh air in the warm summer weather.
Aspire Lounge
As we didn’t like the food in the Primeclass Lounge, we moved to the Aspire Lounge next door. This very nice lounge has even more comfortable furniture, but is also a lot smaller. Admittedly, the food here wasn’t the best either, but at least it wasn’t quite as awful as in the previous lounge. We liked it better here – the room was better air-conditioned and less crowded.
There is also a really nice terrace with a fantastic view of the apron around the satellite.
However, you have to leave the lounge to use the toilet and go to the public area.
Boarding
Our flight was processes at gate E46, just a few minutes walk from the lounge. We started boarding a little later than originally announced. The boarding groups were marked by individual boards, called individually and were processed in the planned order. Unfortunately, this is the exception rather than the rule, but it’s all the better when it works!
Our boarding group number 2 was also processed properly, quickly and without any further incidents. After passing the the gate we went down a rather long ramp and then all passengers had to cross the ones single passenger bridge to get to the aircraft.
Welcome
At the door, a flight attendant directed us to our respective aisles and we were also greeted with a big Swiss welcome sign right by the door. Shortly after taking our seats, we were offered a welcome drink, with a choice of champagne or non-alcoholic beverage. This was served with a small bowl of salted cashew nuts. Just before take-off, a flight attendant came through the cabin with a hot towel for each Business Class passenger.
Start & Routing
Unfortunately, there was only one passenger bridge available for boarding a fully booked aircraft with a 4-class configuration, resulting in passengers from the entire aircraft needing to go through the bigger rear Business Class cabin and past us to their seats in the back. This caused a lot of inconvenience, but unfortunately there is no other way with this seating configuration.
Due to heavy thunderstorms in Bavaria and the surrounding area, our departure was initially delayed by an hour but we were able to already take off 30 minutes after our scheduled departure.
We then flew east over Austria, the Balkans and the Black Sea. Over Turkmenistan and then south across India and the Bay of Bengal to Bangkok. Despite the delayed take-off and diversions over Afghanistan and Iran, we landed only 20 minutes late.
Cabin & seat
Cabin
Swiss Airlines’ 777-300 ER features four classes, with more than half of the aircraft filled by premium seats. Swiss is one of the few airlines that still offers a real First Class, with 8 seats. This is followed by 62 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats and 226 Economy Class seats in the rear of the plane.
Business Class is installed in an altering 1 – 2 – 2 and 2 – 2 – 1 configuration resulting in several consequences. The single seats – also known as thrones – offer a great deal of privacy and stowage space, but they are also very restrictive around the head area. The seats in the 2-seater configuration by the windows are both the same size with rather little identical storage space. The 2 seats in the middle always alternate with one that is identical to the window seats and one that has more stowage, shelving and privacy.
I sat in 11 G, which is a standard seat and which I will describe here. Fabi sat in 11 D and hence on the seat with more space. If you want to know more about his seat, check out the YouTube review.
When booking a Business Class seat on Swiss, make sure you choose the one that suits you best. Thrones are subject to a fee if you make your reservation before check in. However, if a seat is available once you check in, you can take it free of charge.
Swiss Business Class is divided into two cabins. In the area in front of the central galley there is a mini cabin with only 2 rows and then a rather large cabin with 10 full and one half rows. The rows are offset by half a row between the window and the middle seats, so row 6 is only available for seats D & G.
The large cabin doesn’t feel huge, but it is open and airy. The overhead stowage bins are recessed into the cabin canopy to provide additional space. Unfortunately though, this aircraft does not feature own air vents for every passenger in Business Class.
Seat
As we arrived at our seats, a blanket, pillow, amenity kit, bottle of water, headphones in a plastic bag and a coat hanger were waiting for us.
If you are wearing a jacket and want to store it hanging, just use the hanger and a crew member will place it in the wardrobe for you. It will then be proactively returned to you just before landing.
The seat belt on Swiss’s 777-300 ER is a three-point belt that must be worn for take-off and landing. For the rest of the flight, you can simply unhook the top section and wear only the lap belt.
The monitor control is located under the armrest of the centre console. You can also use it to call the cabin crew and control the cabin ceiling light. The seat can be moved into different positions and the firmness of the upholstery can be adjusted using the fixed buttons. There is also a massage function and the lumbar support can be adjusted. The seat light cube installed at the divider can also be switched on and off and its brightness adjusted.
There is a reading light built into the privacy screen, which can be turned on and off. Two small storage trays are built into the top of the partition.
The compartment that holds the in-flight magazines can also be used for personal items and there are also two compartments in the centre console, which can be closed either at the top or bottom using a slide. Here you´ll find enough space for shoes on the bottom and an amenity kit or similar items on the top. Power outlets for charging electronic devices are also to be found here. At the bottom part the lifejacket is stored.
There is also a small compartment under the monitor ideal for storing your passport, wallet, mobile phone or similar.
Bed
At the touch of a button on the control panel, the seat can be converted into a fully flat bed. The footwell is built into the seat in front of you and is fully enclosed. The side armrest can be lowered to create more space around the shoulder area.
The seat is air-cushioned and, for me at least, this meant that my shoulders and hips rested on the hard surface when lying down. The air cushions would adjust and re-inflate from time to time which didn’t really improve any comfort while sleeping.
Unfortunately, Swiss does not provide mattress toppers or slippers, even on long red eye flights. Personally, I find it very unhygienic to sleep on a seat on which hundreds, if not thousands, of other passengers have sweated on before me. And to be honest, going to the toilet with no slippers on, just wearing the socks from the amenity kit isn’t that great either. Always taking into consideration the saying that goes, “The liquid on the bathroom floor is not water!” I avoid using the toilet on planes without wearing shoes.
Entertainment
As with all airlines, entertainment on Swiss is concentrated at the screen. You can watch films and series, although the selection was not particularly large or very up-to-date. Of course, you can also listen to music and follow the flight on the flight map using various perspectives. You can control the monitor by touch or with the control element stowed under the armrest. Both work well and quickly.
Amenities
On our Swiss flight, the amenity kit included socks, a sleeping mask, earplugs, a toothbrush, toothpaste and lip balm. There was also a small card with a prize draw. The purse can be turned over to make a small bag. Slippers or a sleep top were, as I said, unfortunately not included.
Food, drinks & snacks
As we took off late in the evening for our red eye flight to Bangkok, Swiss offered dinner and breakfast. After take-off we had a round of drinks and were asked about our selection for dinner. The menus were handed out before take-off, so we had plenty of time to choose our meal.
The table is built into the privacy screen in the centre console between the two seats. To use the table you need to pulled it out, folded it to the side and then opened it. The table can then be moved forwards and backwards, but not sideways. Unfortunately, this makes it almost impossible to get up from a non-upright sitting position. However, the size is good and it is quite sturdily built.
Dinner
Swiss offers a choice of two starters and four main courses. Compared to other airlines, this is at least one option more than usual, and with 62 seats in Business Class, the airline has to load a decent amount of dishes to have the right meal available for everyone.
For our starter we had a choice of trout or cauliflower. Your choice comes on a tray together with cutlery, a seasonal salad including dressing, cheese, butter and spices. You can also choose from a selection of fresh rolls and sandwiches.
Once you have finished, the starter plate is cleared and the main course is served. For the main course we could choose from beef fillet with polenta, chicken breast with gnocchetti, gilthead with tomato sauce and gnocchi or pasta with pesto cream sauce. There really should be something for everyone.
Fabi and I had the same starter and main course, we both chose the cauliflower and the beef fillet. The starter was delicious, but to be honest the polenta was a little bland and the choice of sauce for the beef took some getting used to. Unfortunately, Fabi found his meat tough as I was fine with mine.
For dessert we had a gourmet eclair with raspberries and caramelised pistachios. There were also little bars of Swiss chocolate and, as the crowning glory after the service, a Lindor ball for each guest, with a choice of flavours.
Breakfast
We were served breakfast a good 90 minutes before landing. Before take-off, Swiss hands out a checklist to be filled in and collected, so you don’t have to make a big decision in the morning. Your breakfast is then served immediately after you have been asked if you are ready to eat. Of course, the galley can also prepare everything in advance, so service in the morning is quicker.
We chose a wild mix and Fabi added the quiche as a warm option. It was all good, but nothing outstanding.
Snacks
After dinner, the crew will place small snacks in the galley for you to enjoy. The Flight Attendants will also go round the cabin and hand out small chocolates.
Washrooms
Swiss Airlines has a total of three lavatories for Business Class passengers on its 777-300 ER. They are all located by the galley doors. Two are on the right-hand side of the aircraft and one is on the left. On our flight, all but two seats in Business Class were sold, so there were some queues at peak times after meal service and just before landing.
The toilets themselves are no different from those in other classes. There is a folding changing table and the only difference is that there is face cream, hand lotion and face mist – all from the Söder brand.
Service
As much as we rave about Lufthansa’s service, we are just as reserved about Swiss´. To be honest, I was really looking forward to this flight and couldn’t wait for the Swiss hospitality. But somehow it just didn’t happen. The service was basically good, but there was no spark to it. The flight attendant working my aisle was nice and everything went well, but on Fabi’s side service was difficult. For some unknown reason, he was often forgotten or – certainly unintentionally – ignored. We didn’t even get to have that little chat that we like to have on board.
Arrival
About half an hour before landing, our monitors showed that we would be arriving at the satellite Gate S107. At this point the cabin was already being prepared for our arrival in Bangkok and, as usual, a short announcement was made from the cockpit about the current situation and the weather at our destination.
Shortly afterwards we landed safely and almost on time, despite the delayed departure. After a short taxi, we reached our final parking position at the new satellite terminal in Bangkok. The boarding bridge was approached quite fast, so we disembarked fairly quickly.
Destination airport
Bangkok Suvanabhumi Airport is by far the largest airport in Thailand and home base of Thai Airways. There are flights from virtually every capital city in the world that can technically be reached by air.
The distances are rather big but the directions quite well signposted and many corridors are equipped with the iconic moving walkways. From the satellite, you take an underground train to the main terminal, where immigration takes place. And here’s a pro tip: to the far right of the main immigration queue is a priority passport control area, which you can use if you’re travelling business class. It’s always pretty quick and we only ever had 4 other passengers in front of us. This is a huge advantage compared to the queue of all other passengers.
Immediately after immigration you arrive at the hall with the baggage carousels which is really huge, but very well organized. By the time you are through immigration, your luggage is already there! In our case, our luggage was handed out on conveyor belt 9.
Onward journey
The airport is well connected to the city centre by the Bangkok Airport Rail Link. Of course, you can also just take a taxi or a grab. The latter now has its own pick-up point that you have to go to in order to be picked up.
We went there straight and took a grab to our first hotel in Bangkok, the Kimpton Maa-Lai.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, I have to give a really mixed verdict on this Swiss flight. It wasn’t bad, but it really didn’t live up to our expectations. The rather disappointing seat and lack of amenities in particular were a real shame. I expected more. The service was solid, but nothing more. This may be due to the very large business class, but in the end passengers shouldn’t really notice. All in all, the flight was really rather so-so.
Points
This Swiss flight from Zurich to Bangkok scores 7 out of a possible 10 points.
We deduct one point for the service, which was simply not very friendly and also a little uncoordinated. Another point is deducted because Swiss does not provide a mattress topper, slippers or a sleep top in Business Class. And a final point goes to the fact that the Swiss seat is quite uncomfortable and cramped for sleeping. The cushions were really not great and Fabi had no room for his knees when lying down. On my side, I could only put my knees to one side. The allover length of the bed is also not large enough for tall people.
Airline Homepage
Recommendation
Swiss offers a solid product in its Boeing 777-300 ER Business Class, which we can recommend to all groups. Business travellers, couples, singles and families are all well catered for. Though you should think carefully about where and how you want to sit, but I guess there is a seat to suit every taste.
YouTube Review
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