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Review: Swiss Business Class 777-300ER Los Angeles to Zurich – THRONE SEAT!
I booked this flight roughly a week before I flew it. If you’re aware of United’s Close-in booking fee ( booked less than 21 days to take-off) you should know that I should have been charged $75. I wasn’t – I did this little TRICK. Saving $75 got me PRETTY PUMPED my Swiss Business Class 777-300ER Los Angeles to Zurich flight. What made it EVEN SWEETER? Locking down a THRONE SEAT prior to take off REALLY GOT those little hairs on my arms to stand up. Aside from flying First Class, locking down a Throne seat is the best you’re gonna get. Of all the Throne seats there are two in particular that I think are THE BEST – 4A and 5K. They are in the mini-cabin. If you aren’t aware of mini-cabins they are the 2 rows set between First Class and the main business class that get a quasi first class service, but are actually in business class. You will not have carts bumping up and down the aisle, no one traipsing to the bathroom, they’re far quieter, and are absolutely my favorite place to sit in business class. I was able to lock down the mini-cabin as well as a Throne seat by doing THIS TRICK. Ok…let’s cut to the chase and see what Swiss has to offer from Los Angeles to Zurich.
The Deets:
- When – May 2017
- Route – LAX-ZRH
- Plane – 777-300ER
- Class – Business, Mini Cabin
- Seat – 5k “Throne Seat”
- How – United Mileage Plus
- Cost – 70k + ~$20
Swiss cabins are like cashmere sweaters, maybe not practical, but damn handsome and luxurious.
Both the main cabin and the mini cabin are very attractive: luxurious, effortless, classic. Think scotch and a cigar. You may hate the taste, but they’re damn sexy.
The flight crew is VERY attentive and friendly. I tell you…my last flight on Lufthansa First Class had an outstanding crew and so has Swiss. The Lufthansa group is outstanding. I can totally see why people opt to go Star Alliance – what an amazing way to redeem points.
If Traveling Alone you must Have the Throne.
Both cabins are configured 1-2-2 and then 2-2-1. Not only are the “1’s or Thrones” BY FAR THE BEST. As you can see…this is the row ahead of me. My seat took up the same room as both of their seats.
Because of the product design, your experience is seat dependent – pick the wrong one and you’ll feel like you got the short end of the stick.
There is a big difference not just between paired seats and the THRONES, but even between the seats that are paired. Look in this photo and you can see the difference between aisle seats. At the bottom of the picture you can see the aisle seat has a buffer with a storage compartment while the seat behind is completely exposed to the aisle. The alternate every other row…be aware of this when picking seats.
Swiss Business Class Seat: 5K – Throne
The best is 4A. Bulkhead, multiple windows, but why on earth people have dissed on 5k on seatguru is beyond me. It’s a throne seat in the mini cabin with a single window. Seeing as tho this is an overnight flight across the Atlantic I’m not sure why you’d complain about not having a window next to your head. In fact…I think there is an argument for 5K being the best seat…certainly if you want the best of both worlds: a view and darkness.
Storage is great with the Throne. I can’t attest for the other seats, but I’m guessing it’s a bit lacking. I had two compartments down and to my right that held my shoes, Miles, my glasses, amenity kit, and plenty of room to spare. Higher to my right I had a compartment that held my laptop. I’m roughly 6′ and 170lbs. The seat doesn’t provide a TON of space. I maybe had a 3-4 inches on either side of me. I wear an 11.5 shoe and the footwell is a bit cumbersome.
To my left I had a slide in/out drawer with two levels. Miles JUST HAD TO STEAL THE SHOW 😉
The Bed was long enough, but kind of narrow. Compared to Cathay and AA I’d say it’s not quite as soft. Miles really griped with me about how I was holding him for the shot…a little too “personal” he said. OOPS!
Swiss Business Class – Service: Impeccable
Service can often feel obligatory, even in premium cabins, but Swiss nailed it. I was very fortunate to interact with multiple flight attendants that really took value in providing impeccable service, and prided themselves on making the experience just that…an experience.
Swiss Business Class – Food: Good
I had the Shrimp and Sea Bass. Shrimp was very tasty and if I wasn’t trying to get straight to sleep I’d have eaten all of it; however, it was seasoned with cilantro and it always gives me terrible heartburn. The salad was fresh and I liked that they served some cheese with the appetizer.Sea Bass was ok, but as good as I’ve had fish in flight…Breakfast was the best part.
Swiss Business Class – Entertainment/IFE: Ok
Competitors like AA are offering Bose noise-cancelling headphones and a plethora of viewing options. Swiss offers decent headphones and an OK selection of movies, tv, etc. I was looking to sleep after dinner so it wasn’t really a huge deal for me. If you’re looking to stay awake the entire flight…it’s not the best selection at 35k ft.
Swiss Business Class – Overall:
I’d fly this again in a heartbeat. However, without a Throne seat I’m not sure I’d have the same experience. The Throne gives SO MUCH room, privacy, and a totally different experience than if you were in a middle seat like 5G. The two seats in front of me create a situation where the passenger in 4K actually has to step overHowever, as sad as it is to say, if given the option of a great product to great service…in business class….I’d take the product.
Business Class Comparisons across the Atlantic
- British Airways Club World A380 – Swiss Wins on product and service
- American Airlines Business Class 777-300ER – AA wins product, Swiss Service (Although THRONE IS DOPE)
- American Airlines Business Class 777-200 Retrofit – AA wins product ( unless throne then tie), Swiss Service
- Air Berlin – Swiss wins on product and service
- Virgin Atlantic Upper Class 747-400 – Virgin wins Product, Tie on Service
- KLM 777-200 – Tie on Product unless Throne – Swiss wins Service
- Etihad Business Studio 787 – Business Studio wins product, Tie on Service
A little Peek at Swiss First. LOOKS INCRED.
So what is the trick? Or are you just trolling?
Sang – the links weren’t working before, but i’ve updated them so that they refer to posts where I explain it in detail. Thanks for reading!
United Airlines allows folks to change or cancel an award ticket within 24 hours of booking with no fees or penalties. If it’s a cancellation, your miles will be re-deposited into your account, and any taxes and fees paid will be refunded to your credit card.
Suppose you need an award ticket for next week (less than 21 days prior to departure). If you booked it normally, you’d be charged the close-in ticketing fee.
The trick is to book the same flights, but more than 21 days away. You will NOT be charged the $75 fee for booking within 21 days.
Then, after you’ve booked, call United Airlines within 24 hours to ask to change your flights to the ones you really want (next week).
http://millionmilesecrets.com/2014/10/27/simple-trick-to-avoid-75-united-award-ticket-booking-fee/
This review makes me happy, since I have a longhaul flight on Swiss coming up, and I wasn’t expecting much. I’m in a throne in the main cabin – I was initially in 4A, but I got kicked out. I ended up paying the fee to get another one, since I didn’t want to leave it to chance at check-in.
Jordan – I think you’ll enjoy yourself! Thanks for reading!
Jordan–How and why were you kicked out of seat 4A?
Nice report. However I do disagree with you in some parts. If you are taler, you’d appreciate the room of the whole row 4. In fact, as they are “bulkhead seats”, you have more space for your feets (goes deeper in). So in my opinion 4A is the best seat you can get. An other fact is, on some 777 of SWISS, in the closed compartment the air fan is really loud, but as you already mentioned, you have more privacy. Other reason, why 5K is not always the favorite of everyone, is the proximity to the galley. Depending on the crew, it can be quite loud.
You have also mentioned the middle seat, in my experience they are great too (l agree, less storage, but still enough in my opinion). Here it depends too, if you are on a day flight, I would go for the more private one too, however if you wanna sleep, the ones to the aisle are even better in my opinion. You are actually able to fold down the armrest, which gives you a little more room to move. Furthermore you also can angle a bit your knees out to the floor, where on a “throne” you are more restricted. If you get one of the aisle seat centered, make sure you don’t get one in the front, as it might be bothersome if people pass by.
Globetrotter – Great points and perspective. I’d agree 4A is is best and As I haven’t flown the middle seats it’s good to get a hands on perspective. Thanks for the input