My wife and I were on our way back to America from a "round the world" trip and to do so we had to catch a short flight from Brussels to Genva before heading onward to New York. I have always loved flying Swiss Air and while this flight was not the smoothest it was still a good flight and being in business makes it that much better!
flight details
check in/Secuirty/Airside
Check in at the airport was super easy as we were able to use the Business Class line.
Security was robust (always a good thing) but after just a few short moments we were airside and walking towards the A gates. Of course, we had to walk past duty free and what seemed to be a shopping mall like corridor filled with food and shopping. After 5 minutes or so, we were at our gate and waiting for time to board.
boarding/in-flight/arrival
I rarely have issues getting my bag in the bins, but wow did I fail this time. The A220 does have small bins and my bag was a bit too fat. Luckily, the FA let me just store it under my seat even though it stuck out a bit too much, cramping my leg room. However, this was better than checking my bag since I had a short layover at GVA and one that would be even shorter as I will find out.
Boarding was a mess. People were told of seat changes at the gate, but no ticket was given, as is typical, so people were just sitting willy nilly. Also, a few passengers with checked luggage never showed so that had to be dug out from the belly. At one point, the FA asked the pilot if we should all get off so things could be sorted but as we had the correct number on board, he was happy to let folks sit wherever and get this bird in the air. i only had a 40-minute layover and we were well behind schedule.
After we pushed back, we had a very fast taxi as you could tell our aircraft were halted for us. Nothing noteworthy in the air and upon landing we had a quick taxi to our gate!
seat
The seat was decent, but like most European airlines, short haul business class is just an economy seat with nobody sitting next to you. I've flown this type of bird before and for upwards of 3 hours and the seat can begin to be a bit stiff, but this is the reality of short haul flights in Europe.
ife
Small IFE screen above the seat that shows a moving map and some ads. other than that, nothing. No WIFI that I noticed and no seat back screens. Better bring your own fun
food/drink
I do love that you get a small meal even on short haul flights within Europe. This was a nice meal of meat and cheeses with hot bread on the side.
Thanks for sharing this FR. LX via GVA is definitely an unexpected route from BRU to NYC given the direct options on SN/UA. The A220s are much better for intra-European J than the A320s since you get better comfort with no seat mate on the 2-side of the cabin and the mini IFE screens with moving map (something is already better than nothing). The breakfast looks correct and much better than LH. As you said, can’t wrong with LX as your *A option on TATLs.