Swiss don't allow pre-selection of seats so when check-in opened 24 hours before that would be my first opportunity. I got a nice window seat 3K on the RJ-100 knowing that the middle seat is kept free but that A340-300 was pretty much all taken and I ended up in a pair at 8G. I later found out that they do allow pre-selection but you have to telephone and even then most of the seats are restricted to the tiers of their FF program.
Come the day I was packed and ready to go, earlier than the VS 3pm departure but looking forward to my first time from London City Airport. I live on the East London Line so I planned a route that involved no stairs. Change at Canada Water down the escalator to the Jubilee line, then change again at Canning Town up the escalator to the DLR. I waited no more than 5 minutes anywhere. When you consider that the flight departure time was 8.20am and the first train I caught was at 6.55am you'll realise what a painless experience this was. I arrived at the airport at 7.40am, 20 minutes before checkin closed.
Security was quiet too with perhaps 3 people in front of me and then I was into the tiny departure lounge. It's a lovely compact airport and I had time to sit at a brasserie bar for a bite of breakfast. I'd read a few TRs on Swiss from London and they all had a theme of very Swiss catering which doesn't appeal to Brits. With "Boarding" now shown on the screen I happily walked to the gate, full from my sausage bap, and found it was only a couple of minutes from the lounge. To board it felt strange to go downstairs, across a road and then up into the plane from both ends with no staff around. Lots of PAX were being intercepted and having their hand luggage removed with staff saying it was going to be a very busy flight. I was happy therefore I'd brought only a small rucksack as I'd no idea what size the overhead bins were on an RJ-100. That said, I'm really getting into the swing of bringing as little hand luggage as possible - it really frees you from the worry of whether the bins will be full knowing you can slide it under a seat.
With the plane ready to go I was really intrigued to see what a LCY take-off would be like. As we maneuvered off the apron I spotted 3 ac taxi-ing in front of us with one coming into land. As the landing ac shot by we 'took off'. I really didn't expect it but all four of us shot onto the runway and followed each other down to the end at breakneck pace. At the end there is a small taxiway in the shape of a D that we all turned onto. Being number 4 it was a few minutes before we were lined up. Full brakes and motionless the engines spooled up, and spooled some more! Soon the whole ac was shaking, the brakes release and we were all thrown into the backs of our seats. Exhilarating! It seemed to take no time to take off, the plane pitched up dramatically then hit some kind of ceiling and went horizontal for ages do a long slow right turn over the Olympic Park which was being made ready for the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.
Once the crew were released they quickly swung into action with drinks and breakfast. I cannot praise the older lady who served me enough, never once failing not to address me by name. The breakfast itself looked presentable but I'm afraid to say I couldn't stand the smoked cheese thing and left most of it. I don't know if it's just me but I'll happily eat anything for lunch or dinner but for breakfast I'm more choosy.
Landing at Zurich, I was surprised to see the airport sits mostly in woodland - there's even a big woodland between the runways. The RJs park way off terminal with buses waiting. Business customers get off first and have a special Executive mini bus with seats that gets them to the terminal first. Arriving at the terminal I made a big mistake, my PVG flight was departing from E gates with around 2 hours to go, so I followed the signs to E. This takes you onto a little train with sounds of cows mooing and deposited me at a huge queue for security. When I eventually got through I found E concourse to be sparse with only a few shops and hordes and hordes of long haul passengers. All the flights seemed to be leaving within 10 mins of each other. Seeking solace I headed to the Panorama lounge. The food and drink available was limited but it too was packed with not a free seat to be had and some queuing next to tables waiting for others to leave. Knowing I had enough time I decided to head to the main airport (after first checking I didn't need to go through security again). This was much better, calm, cool and loads of shops and seats.
Having bought some Swiss chocolate I headed back with the mooing to E concourse where my flight was now marked as boarding. The flight was obviously busy as the gate was heaving but there was a poorly marked priority side - I felt sorry for the Chinese Y PAX being firmly turned away as it was only written in small English with no obvious Class signs, colours (as VS do) or Chinese characters.
Once on board I settled into my seat with a pre-departure champagne handed to me. Only one mind, the crew made sure that each PAX got one only. The seat felt very firm and the legroom went on further than I could reach - I missed the ottoman here.
Having watched the occasional departure and arrival earlier it was obvious that the airport isn't hugely busy so it came as some surprise when the pilot came on to say we were 12 for departure. I found the IFE already working and even better found a camera channel - in front of us was a long line of A340s. Since all the flights leave at the same time they all have to queue up. Seems a bit weird to me but whatever. To be honest I'd haven been glad of a delay as a 7am scheduled arrival at PVG is a bit early when you aren't on business.
Once airborne I started a movie only to find that the supplied noise reduction headphones only worked in one ear. Switching to another set was them same. Trying a third set was the same and I gave up choosing to have sound in only one ear for the flight. To be honest there was little that could be done as business was full and the crew were so apologetic I forgave it as obviously an unusual occurrence. I fully explored the seat which is infinitely adjustable although no amount of button pressing removes the firmness of the cushion. The squab firmness and lumbar support adjust through what feels like airbags. Strangely, roughly every hour or so the airbags would completely change their configuration despite no request from my fingers which was very odd and not really appreciated.
Kicking into the food and drink came pre-lunch drinks in (the obviously in-fashion) stemless glasses. I have to say the food was excellent, well presented, good portions, not rushed and very tasty. Especially the Hunan main I had which was just delicious.
Settling down after dinner I put the seat into bed mode. The seat just goes down and down until you're about a foot off the floor and pushes your legs way into that cubby hole. It's an odd feeling but almost perfectly flat. Unfortunately, the hardness of the seat and my own issue with finding it difficult to sleep on planes meant I only grabbed an hour or too before I was up righting the seat to give my bones a break.
About 1hr30mins before landing breakfast was served. The presentation again was excellent with a platter trolley going down and you could select a plate to be make up.
As with my LCY flight everything was cold and consisted mostly of cold cheese and meats. I asked if there was anything hot and was told only scrambled eggs with hash browns - yes please!
Landing into a wet PVG having come through some huge clouds and turbulence we left the runway and came to an abrupt stop almost immediately. I have no idea why, it almost felt like we'd done something wrong. We sat and sat. A Chinese dad with an obviously busting daughter headed for the loo only to be turned away. I felt very sorry for her as 5 minutes later we were still there. This time mum came with her and was allowed. Sods law then dictated that the moment they closed the door the plane began moving again. I really think after such a long hold the pilot should've warned people just in case someone was moving about.
Anyway from this point we were quickly on stand, deplaned and in a deserted immigration hall. With such an early arrival it must be one of the first flights of the day.
One comment about the crew long haul, unlike VS UC, you never really knew who your crew was as they changed through the flight and nothing in the service was personal. Additionally, my seat mate was obviously not flying together with me and yet all his service was passed over me which considering that he was closer to his aisle than I was mine due to the layout seemed inappropriate at best.
Thanks for enduring this long TR, I hope you enjoyed it and found it insightful.
Last edited by McMaddog on 26 Sep 2012, 06:53, edited 1 time in total.
