San Francisco to Zurich, 10 hours 40 minutes, Boeing 777-300ER
There is something about a long haul business class flight that sets the tone for an entire trip. Get it right and you land feeling like a person. Get it wrong and you spend the first two days of your vacation recovering.
Swiss Air’s business class on the San Francisco to Zurich route got it mostly right – and I documented everything so you don’t have to wonder.
The Lounge – United Polaris, SFO
We started in the United Polaris lounge at SFO and it was genuinely impressive. A full restaurant, a spa area, and fresh sushi that was actually good – not airport good, just good. If you have access to this lounge before a long haul flight, arrive early and make the most of it. It sets the right tone before you even board.
Boarding and First Impressions
Boarding for business class was quick and efficient – exactly what you want before a 10 hour flight. We were seated fast and the staff greeted us warmly from the moment we walked on. That hospitality carried through the entire flight, which is worth noting.
The cabin itself is beautiful. The Boeing 777-300ER has a modern, considered design – wood paneling, silver metal accents, clean lines. It feels luxurious without being overdone. The lighting is excellent and there are generous windows throughout which makes a real difference on a long flight.
The Seats
We had middle seats which ended up working well – easy to get up, walk around, and move without disturbing anyone. Window seats are lovely for the views but the middle configuration gave us more freedom.
The seats themselves are comfortable with a massage function which is a genuinely nice touch on a long haul. The one honest note – privacy is limited. These are not enclosed suites. If privacy matters to you on overnight flights it is worth knowing going in. That said, the comfort level is solid and the massage chairs help on a 10 hour journey.
Shortly after takeoff we flew over San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge was visible from the cabin – one of those moments that reminds you why window seats have their fans.
Amenities
On arrival at our seats we received a sleeping bag and a t-shirt for sleeping – a thoughtful touch for an overnight flight.
A second amenity kit included socks, an eye mask, earplugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Functional but not exceptional – this is not the most generous kit compared to some other business class products at this price point.
The headphones are not noise canceling, which was my biggest frustration of the flight. Combined with the earplugs that didn’t do enough, sleep was harder than it needed to be. Good noise canceling headphones or your own earplugs are something I would strongly recommend packing for this route.
One more thing to note – WiFi is not complimentary in business class. You pay extra. On a flight at this price point that feels like an oversight.
The Food
We started with cold mixed nuts and a welcome alpine cocktail – elderberry and sparkling water – which was light, elegant and very Swiss. French wine followed to start the meal service properly.
Appetizer: Seared beef with a pepper crust, orange tahini, salad dressing, carrots and grilled asparagus. Beautifully presented and genuinely delicious.
Soup: Asparagus soup – clean and well executed.
Main course: Beef fillet tips with mushroom cream sauce, hash browns and cherry tomato confit. Rich, satisfying and exactly what you want before a long sleep on a night flight.
I skipped dessert and went straight to sleep – which tells you the main course did its job well.
Breakfast I skipped entirely and only had coffee, which was excellent. Sometimes that is all you need.
Sleep
With a full meal and the massage chair I managed 5 to 6 hours of sleep which is respectable on a transatlantic flight. The main obstacle was the noise situation – the provided earplugs were not effective enough and without noise canceling headphones the cabin sounds were disruptive.
This is genuinely the one thing I would change about the experience. Good earplugs or noise canceling headphones of your own would make this flight significantly better. Pack yours.
Entertainment
All new releases – I watched two films and had no complaints. The selection was current and the screen quality was good.
The Verdict
What I loved: The food was genuinely impressive for business class. The staff were warm, attentive and professional from boarding to landing. The cabin design is beautiful. The massage chairs are a real comfort feature on a long haul. And the Polaris lounge at SFO was an excellent start to the journey.
What I’d improve: No noise canceling headphones is a real gap at this price point. WiFi should be included in business class. The amenity kit could be more generous. Seats feel slightly cramped compared to some competitors.
Would I fly it again? Yes – with my own noise canceling headphones in my bag. Swiss Air business class is a genuinely pleasant experience and the food and staff alone make it worth it. Just come prepared.
Have you flown Swiss Air business class? Drop a comment – I’d love to compare notes.
With love, Blondy – xo
