Review: SWISS Business Class from Paris to Montreal via Zurich
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Here I am for the return flight from our vacation in Europe. We take a line known to Jean-Maximilien: Zurich-Montreal. This will be a first for me.
We spent the last day of our vacation in Paris. This flight is an Aeroplan Business Class award: 55,000 miles and $137 in taxes. It will also be an opportunity to test Swiss’ new Business cabin on board the Boeing 777-300ER.
Paris – Zurich in business class on Swiss
But before testing the great comfort you have to endure the pre-flight from Paris. We go in Uber towards the airport of Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle. It is early this Sunday morning, it will take us about thirty minutes to make the trip.
The recording goes well, there are few people. We are rediscovering this terminal 1 that we have not used for a long time. We go through the famous glass escalators to reach the passport control.
Star Alliance Lounge – Paris
Then we head to the Star Alliance lounge. We took this premium ticket at the last minute without knowing much about the existence of a trade show or not in Paris so it was a good surprise.
It is large, it lacks a little light but the facilities are comfortable except for one point: the temperature. It’s a fridge!
But we find a less air-conditioned place: the work area which is at the edge of the outdoor terrace which also serves as a “smoking” area.
It is then time to go to one of the satellites where we pass the security.
Flight Paris – Zurich in business class on a Swiss Fokker 100
The camera is there, the room is quiet on this Sunday morning. In two weeks it will be the turn of the Bombardier CSeries 100 to make this flight! But today we have a … Fokker 100 with HB-JVC registration, 22 years old, a youngster!
The seats are vintage, I look at the magazine a bit about the newcomer in the fleet.
And off we go to Zurich, a short 50-minute flight.
The breakfast tray is served very quickly given the flight time.
Very cloudy at the beginning, it clears up going south. A bottle of water is distributed.
When arriving in Zurich, bad surprise: disembarkation by bus. Good news: a mini-bus is reserved for the business class and we left 30 seconds after getting off the plane.
Swiss Business Lounge – Terminal D – Zurich
It’s time to head to the Swiss lounge in zone D. It is not the main lounge but it will do for this short wait before the next flight to Montreal.
It is quite basic but it offers a nice view on the tarmac.
Flight Zurich – Montreal in business class on a Swiss B777
The time comes to reach the boarding gate, and there the reputation of Swiss order and organization takes a blow. It is a happy mess and we will wait almost 30 minutes before being able to board. Priorities are respected but the Business class is full for this flight (the First class will be empty)
A quick look at our aircraft which joined its buddies in the 777-300ER band just three months ago.
We discover this beautiful Swiss Business Class cabin with its very pure tones. We are in the second cabin in front just before the First Class. With only two rows it is much more intimate than the cabin behind with its 10 rows!
The toiletry kit is pretty shabby for a business class. The pair of socks is nice though.
The seat is fantastic, quite private which is a little less interesting when traveling with two people. But the storage is numerous and well done. Most of the time on business seats it is difficult to access their contents because the tablet blocks its access or the bed mode prevents you from opening a drawer. With this seat no problem.
I go to the first cabin which is empty to go to the toilet.
It’s time for an aperitif!
The starter is a vegetable salad with trout, very good. The service will be done with a cart, not very sexy.
Beef for the main course.
Normally, I stop here because I’m stuck but it’s still the vacations. I let myself be tempted by the following: a good cheese and a clafoutis. Lunch will take a while but it is a daytime flight.
A little coffee and then it’s time for a nap. the IFE is very good, with a decent remote control. I’m going to get a good 3 hours of sleep.
We wake up for the snack and we begin our descent towards Montreal.
A quick look before leaving the plane.
Bottom line
It was my first experience with Swiss. Certainly, traveling in a brand new aircraft with a modern cabin gives a good impression of the company. They have succeeded in their layout because this cabin is spacious, the seats comfortable and functional. The service was correct, it is a pity that no information was given during the delay at the boarding.
