REVIEW: SWISS – Business Class – Copenhagen to Zurich (A320)

SWISS (LX)

Flight: LX1267
Class: Business Class
Seat: 1F
From: Copenhagen (CPH)
To: Zurich (ZRH)
Duration: 1h55
Aircraft: Airbus A321
Status during flight: Star Alliance Gold (Avianca Amigo Gold)
Fare: £657.37 for CPH-ZRH-LAX-YVR-LHR in Business Class

Given SWISS’ reputation as a premium airline I was expecting great things from my first Business Class flight with them, despite it being a short intra-European hop on an A321.

SWISS LX shorthaul business A320 321 review

I was greeted by name upon taking my seat but nobody offered to hang my jacket, or anybody else’s. The cabin manager did notice my personal bag and offered to store it above though since I was seated in an exit row.

Decent legroom and I like that given the lack of a wardrobe, these seats have coat hooks. I was very surprised to see that ‘business class’ was just economy with an empty middle seat though. Even BA manage to convert the middle seats into leather topped tray tables.

Prior to take-off, the cabin manager offered bottled water and moist towelettes to the business class passengers. I’m used to BA where no drinks are given before take-off and the heated towelettes are wafer thin and often drip all over you. Neither experience is particularly premium but I found SWISS’ take to be more functional and suited to my needs.

Beautiful views upon departure from CPH. That thing sticking out at the bottom is part of a highway, bridge and tunnel combo that leads underwater on its final stretch, joining Sweden and Denmark. How cool is that?!

SWISS LX shorthaul business A320 321 review breakfast

Breakfast was a very light and simple affair. Warm bread was offered in addition to the bircher and the cold cuts. Both were relatively decent quality but this certainly seems a little stingy when compared to the proper hot breakfasts on BA. The coffee was moderately awful – as one expects on planes without an espresso machine. The smoothie was actually really good and I like how the water was served in a decently sized glass.

As we approached Zurich the weather took a significant turn for the worse. An unseasonal storm was passing through and absolutely hammered the plane with rain.

Despite the weather we landed more or less on time…

…however the weather was so bad that airport regulations did not permit the use of jetbridges. Apparently lightning could strike them and we were therefore obligated to wait at the gate for half an hour, until we were given the all clear. My two hour connection was never in doubt but it was a bit hellish knowing that with each passing minute I was missing out on more time in the Whiskey bar at the senator lounge!