Good morning.
Today, we're flying from ZRH to LHR via MUC.
I booked this flight as a miles and more award ticket ZRH-MUC-LHR-GVA-ZRH in J for 29k miles and 220chf. It's not the best redemption of 30k miles, but given the cash price was 1700 chf, i got a great value for the miles.
Funnily, the business class was cheaper than the economy fare. (Miles)
As usual, I was lied to by LHG again before the booking. I once inquired if I could attach my TAP *G status if I booked a miles and more award ticket, since I'm only *S on LX. They denied, stating that if a ticket is booked with miles, that respective M&M number cannot be removed. And it was true during booking, but I had no problems changing it after payment was finalized.
There was also no issue duing online check-in and the boarding pass was issued with TP.
Here's the info I got from LH in advance:
Funnily, just the day before my flight, my Miles and More card arrived per mail.
I also had to ask for it three times.
The first time, they said that physical cards are no longer issued. I replied that that's incorrect.
They then said that it is not issued if the status was obtained through a status match. I corrected them again, saying it was not obtained through a status match. Then they said, they had a supply bottleneck and I should ask again in a couple months.
Average LHG response - god I hate that airline group.
But anyway, here it is :)
I added it to my collection along with the TP *G card (which they also refused to issue until I pointed out their T&C where they forgot to remove my right to one.) Sadly, KLM didn't issue me a physical card.
I think, it's also worth pointing out, that they send the wrong letter with the card, apparently, I got promoted to Senator.
But… what can I say?
Arrival at Airport and Aircraft Stats
I took the train to the airport this morning.
I arrived at 6:50, with more than enough time before departure. I mostly aim to arrive two hours before, so I can eat breakfast in the lounge but I use a train travelcard which gives me free train rides until 7am, so I decided to rather arrive 40mins early but take the train for free.
ZRH is btw very well connected to the swiss rail network.
While on the train, I decided to check my Aircraft details. Turns out, today's flight will be with HB-JCK, an 8 year old A220-300 (BCS300) named Willisau. It is currently inflight from GVA. For a couple seconds, I could spot it in the distance from my train window but it was to short to take a picture of it.
I wonder what they're building here…
Check In
Check In took less than a minute, despite only counter being open, since there was no queue at all.
Security
Zurich finally got their new security concept. It was about time.
I could only take that picture.
Since there were no signs that pictures aren't allowed, i took two but I was immediately promted to delete them again. Maybe put up a sign like other airports next time?
Lounge
I used the Swiss Senator Lounge in the A-Area.
I treated myself to a bagel with egg an onions, some berry joghurt with fruit and a vodka-infused rivella.
I mostly use lounges to charge my phone as well, so that's what I did.
At 7am, the lounge has their breakfast buffet with bagels, yoghurt, eggs, cake and breads.
I also got myself a mango icrecream and a whiskey cola.
I then decided to check out the silent area with the relaxing chairs but the apron views are obstructed unfortunately. If you like apron views, I recommend the Alpine lounge.
They relax chairs were really comfy and I almost fell asleep.
I don't quite understand tho why they put TV's into the SILENT area.
Boarding
I headed into the lounge toilet quickly and went to the gate area. Today we'll be boarding from A83. We boarded 5min early at 9:00.
Cabin
I'm seated in 2F. Legroom is fine. As usual on intra-europe business, its the standard configuration with a blocked middle seat and more legroom. There was no entertainment (besides the little overhead screens showing the flight map) or wifi available. Also no phone holder at the seat.
I then enjoyed my window view.
Pre departure
There were no welcome drinks offered. Instead, a bottle of water and a refreshing towel were waiting at my seat. After boarding was completed, cain crew passed through the cabin with the famous swiss chocolates.
We then got delayed because we were waiting for a cargo shipment. The delay expected was 30minutes, which critically endangered my connection in Munich. But to be honest with you guys, I was not surprised.
Looking at my flighty stats, 66% of my swiss flights were delayed. But that ranks them at the top of LHG, since Edelweiss currently holds a 83% ratio and Lufthansa itself a 100% delay ratio.
Pushback was at 9:52, 22 mins behind schedule.
Security was only shown over the very small screens.
We then taxied to RWY 28, where we took off at 10:02. Expected in air time was 35 minutes
Inflight
Shortly after, breakfast was served, which was rather simple and consisted of a croissant with jam and a "birchermüesli" along with your choice of drinks.
I requested an orange juice and a SWISS Alpine Essence Cocktail. Unfortunately, he told me that the alpina essence was only served on Afternoon flights.
But he found one in the duty free shopping :)
Trays were quickly cleared again and I enjoyed some views.
We then had a parallel landing with a LH A350 from Toronto.
We landed at 10:42 and taxied to the remote stand, even further delaying us and endangering my connection. We arrived at 10:49 at the stand.
Now, let's take the bus and hope for the best.
