SWISS AIR
MS ke Dost log !!
I am directly boarding and flying for my review...
Recently, I traveled to Stuttgart Germany with Swiss Air. The flight was from Mumbai-Zurich-Stuttgart... I have mentioned travel up to Zurich only as I traveled to Stuttgart with some Small Airbus plane. So read on and let me know your comments and ratings pleaseeee.
This is Airlines review as well as Review of Airbus A330 combined. I hope you will enjoy the ‘COMBO’ this time.
This is not of typical reviews of Electronic gadgets or cars which I have written previously. I started from Microwave oven, Purifiers, Fast food, Cars and now trying to graduate myself.
So a direct take off this time for review of Swiss Airlines and A-330 Airbus.
I always dreamt of a travel where very beautiful lady will be your companion through out your journey but guys hardluck, this has never happened.I am not lucky to become Air khan of ‘Dil hai ki Manata nahi’ in this journey also.Instead a very big guy probably executive of some Mobile company was besides me. .
I boarded on plane with all necessary formalities and voila..A beautiful AIRHOSHTESSHH of Swiss air will welcome you.
AIRBUS A-330 Specifications : (Taken from AIRBUS site!!)
Number of seats: 245
Average speed km/h: 870
Max altitude feet: 41, 000
Max. Take-off weight kg: 230, 000
Max. Range km: 10, 500
Length m: 58.37
Wingspan m: 60.3
Engines: Pratt & Whit ney
The AIRBUS A-330Swiss air offers A330 on services to and from Central Africa, the Eastern seaboard of North America, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.
Seating :Pretty good seats and pleasant atmosphere in plane makes you fresh when you enter the plane. A basic but comfortable lie-flat seat in business class. These are slightly narrower than most business class offerings. No drop down armrests in sleep mode which keeps this narrow-feel environment going, tiny footrest insufficient for you to brace yourself whilst lying down, and cushioning can be a bit hard for some. This seat is nearly flat, but unfortunately tilts at an uncomfortable angle, so should not be classed as a lie-flat bed. Business class on this route is costly and greater comfort would be appreciated.
Economy leg room is above average, so will be reasonably comfortable for most people. Larger people will, as always with economy seating, have some problems.
Take off was smooth. Mumbai was looking beautiful with its Arial view. It was beginning of fairly large journey and was thinking of only ’Mera Bharat Mahan’.When will I be able to see my beautiful country again??I will miss my Pavbhaji, Chicken Chettinad and Vada pav.Those who have gone thru’ my earlier revus will know the importance of this sentence
I was already home sick because I would be missing my ’GHAR KA KHANA’ but surprisingly you get Indian food in Long journey Swiss air flight. That is good sign and indicates how the globalization has made our world smaller. I got Mysore dosa and Upma!! It was a good surprise!
There was a vegetarian option of saffron noodles with grilled courgettes and aubergines. Cheese sticks were offered with crusty rolls and dessert consisted of a grape tartlet with whipped cream. Tea/Coffee was served separately with delicious chocolate cigars. Swissair plans to upgrade its meal service in business class.
Free food and drink is served on all long haul flights. The quality of long haul Business/Economy food is generally considered good. Book in advance if you have specific dietary requirements. Note this carrier does not serve free food on flights within Europe - Instead, passengers will be able to purchase sandwiches (for example, a croissant, coffee and juice costs around 10-12 Swiss Francs).
Swissair’s service, however, is pretty much faultless. Service levels are usually above average. In flight staff is fairly well-motivated.
The usual newspapers are complementary on early morning and evening flights. Announcements are in German, French and English.
In flight EntertainmentSwiss air has included Offering of personal movie LCD screens in every seat .You have 15 movie channel entertainment thru’ and you can get Cartoons, Hindi Cinema, Hindi Music, Games etc...Good time pass. I saw who Wants to be a Millionaire?, also apna Sallu khan movie, and played lot of games. You can also send short text message to any email, mobile phone or fax number but at an additional price. There is no in-flight entertainment on board shorter European flights, so probably best to bring a book or a companion.(who will not eat your head of course !)
Reached Zurich after 8 hours approx and the schedule was really tight. Catching a connecting flight is easier due to excellent Tunnel rail and big Information screens on Zurich airport. I was impressed! That is how Swiss precision works!!!
Swiss’ base, Zurich, has a good number of shops and other facilities. Duty free facilities still exist for almost all departures. The lounge is organized in different sections - one for business class, one for Travel club members, plus a business lounge and a cinema cafe.
The business class and Travel club lounges are adjacent and identical with great natural lighting on a sunny day (which is a rare event, alas), and a stand-up bar with drinks and snacks (nuts, crackers, pastries, biscuits etc.)
The business lounge is quite Spartan and has eight desks, four of which with internet access, as well as fax, phones and copier.
The cinema cafe boasts a very large screen and a variety of chairs and tables with drinks and snacks available from the adjacent bar corner.
There are around 12 computer consoles with internet access in a stand-up area by the reception, as well as a couple of shower rooms, and a wireless internet access has been installed recently in the lounge.
While I have no complaints with facilities (food could do better though), Swiss clearly underestimates the number of visitors to the lounge during peak hours, which means the lounge has the same noisy and crowded feeling you’re likely to experience in the public area.
But, as I am used to all our Indian Rail Platforms and Public Transport facilities, I really did not feel much about it, I saw many people complaining about the same though. If you are a high class business user, then you may feel the heat, otherwise for a people like me can very well adjust the surroundings!
Overall, it was pleasant experience and I will give good ratings to Swiss air for enjoyable flight
• Flight on time? 10/10
• Customer service 10/10
• Comfort on flight 8/10
• Quality of food 8/10
• Value for money 10/10
• Overall rating 8/10
• Recommended Yes