SWISS Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Review [ZRH to NRT]

Airline: Swiss International Air Lines
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Flight #: LX160
Route: Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Narita International Airport (NRT)
Date: August 9, 2024
Duration: 13 hours
Cabin and Layout: Alternating 1-2-2 and 2-2-1
Cost: 80,000 Aeroplan points or from $6,995 cash for the ZRH-NRT leg; the entire trip from ORD to ZRH to NRT cost 87,500 Aeroplan points

After months of planning, I finally got married in August 2024. Planning the event was stressful, but the ceremony was a blast. After all the celebrating, it was time to focus on the honeymoon. We had decided on Japan as our destination months in advance, but I didn’t book the tickets until the day before the wedding. Sometimes, last-minute award space searching can be fun.

Since my wife had never flown business class before, I wanted to make sure her first experience was special. I had hoped to book us on Japan Airlines or All Nippon Airways for the trip to Japan, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find any last-minute award space on those airlines. Bummer.

Despite the setback, I managed to secure award space for our trip to Japan. Although we would be flying the long way (across the Atlantic Ocean), I was excited about the experience. We would get to sample 2 different business class products: United Polaris on the Boeing 767-300 and SWISS business class on the Boeing 777-300ER.

Here’s an in-depth look at how I booked this award ticket and the entire experience from the lounge in Zurich to the flight itself.

Booking SWISS Business Class

SWISS is a member of Star Alliance, the largest airline alliance in the world, and although it’s not typically ranked among the world’s best airlines, SWISS is still known for providing an above-average overall experience. It boasts a strong route network, numerous airline partnerships, and relatively good award availability.

Fortunately, several different frequent flyer programs, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, Turkish Miles&Smiles, and United MileagePlus, allow you to book SWISS business class award tickets.

I chose to book this award redemption using Air Canada Aeroplan points as the program has excellent award rates for partner redemptions. I began looking for award space for 2 adults from Chicago (ORD) to both of Tokyo’s airports: Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT).

Although I was hoping for some ANA-operated flights, I could not find any award space in business class for 2 adults. However, I did find award space on several other airlines using Aeroplan’s intuitive search engine, including an itinerary that passed through Zurich (ZRH): we would fly from Chicago to Zurich on United, and then fly to Tokyo on SWISS.

I thought this itinerary was solid because it would allow us to fly in premium cabins on 2 different Star Alliance airlines. All I had to do was figure out what program I wanted to use for this redemption. Ultimately, I chose to redeem Aeroplan points for this booking.

Air Canada Aeroplan is an excellent program for Star Alliance partner awards thanks to its fantastic rates for partner-operated flights. Although the program uses dynamic pricing for its own flights, it has a published distance-based award chart for partner awards and some of the best redemption opportunities of any program.

To calculate how many points I needed for this specific award redemption, I looked at the award chart for flights between North America (U.S. or Canada) and Pacific zones (Japan). After calculating the total distance for the planned itinerary using Great Circle Mapper and looking at the award chart, I confirmed the pricing. The award redemption was priced at 87,500 Aeroplan points and CA$102 (about $76) in taxes and fees per person. This was just 7,500 points more than a direct Zurich to Narita itinerary, so I definitely felt like I was taking full advantage of the Aeroplan award chart.

Hot Tip:

Earning Aeroplan points is quite easy as Air Canada Aeroplan partners with several major programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy.

After filling in the personal information required to book the tickets, I reached the final payment screen. Air Canada Aeroplan offers several point-and-cash combinations for award payments.

I did some mental math and decided to pay fewer Aeroplan points and more cash.

Cash prices on this route were incredibly expensive; the one-way business class fare would have set me back $6,762. However, adding the leg between Chicago and Zurich only increased the price to about $6,995.

Since I used 87,500 Aeroplan points (and CA$102/~$76 in taxes and fees) per ticket for this one-way award, I got an outstanding 7.6 cents per point in value, which is significantly more than our valuation of Air Canada Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents, making it an excellent redemption.

I used my Chase Sapphire Reserve^® to pay the taxes and fees for this award ticket. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is my go-to option for travel purchases, as it offers extensive travel insurance and protections.

Hot Tip:

If you redeem Aeroplan points, it is worth looking at the program’s fantastic stopover policy. Stopovers can be booked for just 5,000 additional Aeroplan points, including with one-way award redemptions.

Zurich Airport

After arriving in Zurich from Chicago at the E gates, we headed to the SWISS transfer desks to collect our boarding passes for the flight to Tokyo Narita.

The transfer desk representative promptly printed our boarding passes, and we made our way to the SWISS Business Class Lounge in Concourse E.

SWISS Business Class Lounge (Concourse E)

Following the signs for the SWISS Business Class Lounge, we took an elevator up from the departure level.

As soon as we got off the elevator, we were welcomed by a Breitling showcase on the wall displaying clocks from various cities around the world. Below, a table featured an array of watches.

After admiring the display, we made our way to the check-in desk. The agent swiftly scanned our boarding passes and warmly welcomed us to the lounge.

To the left of the check-in desk was a walled-off quiet section featuring several armchairs and small square tables.

As we continued down the hall, we came across a large literature display packed with magazines and newspapers.

Next to the literature display was a small kiosk with instructions for connecting to the Wi-Fi. We had to scan our boarding passes, which then generated a printed voucher code. We then entered the code to get full access to the Wi-Fi network.

The lounge featured several other seating areas, including a long row of café-style tables where guests could enjoy their food. Bar-type seating was by the window.

The lounge also had several larger seating areas, each divided into distinct sections. Most of these areas featured rows of armchairs with small tables dividing them. The leather armchairs were surprisingly comfortable.

Power outlets and USB-A ports were mounted on the side tables.

The lounge also included a dedicated work area with 6 individual workstations. I found the workstation to be an ideal spot for getting things done with minimal distractions.

After exploring the space, I headed to the food and beverage section to check out the offerings. Chefs were preparing eggs at a live cooking station. However, this area was extremely busy with people going back and forth.

A small selection of bakery items included croissants and bagels.

Around the corner was a dedicated beverage section offering a variety of options, including beers and soft drinks on tap, as well as wines and spirits.

The lounge also featured an excellent alcohol selection. This area was relatively empty since it was still early in the morning.

I found espressos, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and even iced drinks at the coffee and tea bar.

A variety of ice cream treats from Swiss brand Mövenpick was available in a freezer.

After exploring the lounge and its offerings, I made my way to its main highlight: the outdoor terrace.

From the terrace, you could view dozens of aircraft parked at the gates and many more taking off and landing across the multiple runways. I even spotted the United Boeing 767-300 that brought us to Zurich from Chicago!

After spending about 30 minutes watching planes take off and land, I headed to the lounge’s shower suites to freshen up. The lounge offers several complimentary shower rooms for passengers.

The suite was stocked with towels and complimentary toiletries. Although it was a relatively basic space, it did its job well, as I felt wonderfully refreshed after I showered.

Bottom Line:

Overall, I found the SWISS Business Class Lounge to be a nice place to relax before a flight. It had all the amenities you could hope for, including high-speed Wi-Fi, private workstations, a quiet zone, and showers. The lounge was very large, which was impressive considering there are several Swiss Business Class Lounges in Zurich Airport. However, I wish a better selection of food was available.

Boarding at ZRH

After a few hours in the lounge, it was time to head to gate E46, about a 5-minute walk from the lounge.

We showed up with about 20 minutes to go before boarding was scheduled to begin. The airport was extremely busy, and I wondered why we hadn’t stayed in the lounge a bit longer.

I hoped to snap a picture of the SWISS 777-300ER taking us to Tokyo. Unfortunately, the angle of the window made it quite difficult.

SWISS premium cabin passengers and Star Alliance Gold members had dedicated priority boarding lines. I joined the Group 2 boarding queue and was first in line, feeling incredibly excited for the flight.

Boarding began about 10 minutes behind schedule and started with passengers requiring extra assistance. Priority passengers, including those flying in first class, were then called to board. It was a relatively calm and organized process, with gate agents making multiple announcements reminding passengers of the boarding procedures.

On Board the SWISS Boeing 777-300ER

As I boarded the Boeing 777-300ER through the second door, a flight attendant greeted me and directed me across the galley to my seat, 17G, the last middle seat in the front cabin. My wife was seated in 17D, the other middle section seat.

I immediately noticed the Thomson Vantage hard product, which SWISS has on all its long-haul aircraft, including the 777-300ER. I loved the black color with wood contrast spread across the cabin.

SWISS’ 777-300ERs offer 62 business class seats: 10 in the forward mini-cabin between the exclusive first class cabin and door 2 and 52 in the much larger rear cabin behind the center galley.

Business class on the 777 is configured in alternating 1-2-2 and 2-2-1 layouts. The “1” in each row is a “throne seat” with shelves on either side, providing ample space and privacy. The middle seats also alternate between being closer to the aisle and closer to the center.

If you’re traveling alone, your best bet is to aim for a throne seat. However, these seats are only free for Miles & More HON Circle and Senator members. Other passengers must pay or wait for check-in to open to select a throne seat for free. Unfortunately, snagging a throne for free is incredibly tough on a premium and elite-member-heavy route like Tokyo.

However, middle seats are ideal for those traveling with someone else. Since I was with my wife, these middle seats suited us perfectly. And since we were in the middle section, we both had direct aisle access, which is not possible when seated in a window section with 2 seats.

Business Class Seat

As I settled into my seat, I examined all of the details. The seat was spacious; however, the path to it was a bit narrow.

Directly in front of me was the inflight entertainment system. The TV screen was relatively small and looked outdated, though it could be operated by touch. Below the IFE screen was a small, foldable storage space.

The footwell was directly below the IFE screen, which was fairly deep, albeit a bit narrow. It provided enough space to put my feet up. However, I wish there was a storage area beneath the footwell for smaller items. Without a dedicated storage area, my camera bag was just on the ground.

To the right of the IFE screen was a literature pocket containing the plane’s safety information, a duty-free shopping magazine, and the food and beverage menus.

Since I was in a seat closer to the center in the middle section, I had an entire console to my right. A 2-tiered storage section had ample space to store some of my items, including my MacBook and its charger, my camera, my passport, and my AirPods.

The console also had plenty of surface space. I could comfortably place my MacBook there and watch some movies.

The seat’s AC power outlet and USB-A charging port were on the console’s side. I found this to be a great place to have the power socket.

A center console divided the middle seats. Unfortunately, the dividers didn’t offer much privacy, which could be an issue if you’re traveling alone.

The left center console divider included a mounted reading lamp, a headphones hook, a clothing hanger, a strap for securing documents, and a bottle holder. There was also a button to release the tray table.

I especially appreciated the wood finish, which gave the center console a more premium look than it might otherwise have had.

The rather large bifold tray table could be pulled out from the center divider. However, it was not very maneuverable.

The seat controls were also located in front of a padded armrest along the center console. A set of hard buttons controlled basic functions such as adjusting to preset takeoff/landing, lounging, or lie-flat positions. 

A single button could be pressed to turn the seat into a lie-flat bed. The bed was a bit on the narrow side, and, unfortunately, no mattress pad was provided.

Despite being somewhat narrow, I found the bed to be generally comfortable. At times, it felt a bit tight, especially around the shoulder areas where I encountered consoles on either side.

Due to the cabin’s staggered setup, the footwell was also quite small. It wasn’t a huge deal to me, but it might be a bit more problematic for a larger person.

Bottom Line:

Overall, SWISS offers a solid hard product with an interesting cabin configuration. If you’re traveling alone, opt for the throne seat if available. Based on my experience, I can say with certainty that the experience will vary significantly depending on which seat you select.

I enjoyed the ample storage space and the fact that I was in a seat closer to the center in a middle pair, which gave me some additional privacy. I am incredibly excited to fly the SWISS “Senses” product once it’s released to see how the experience improves.

Food and Beverage

While SWISS may not rank among the top airlines globally for inflight meal service, I was eager to experience how a well-regarded European carrier handles food and beverage, especially after flying so many excellent Asian carriers this year. Let’s look at the food and beverage offerings on my flight to Tokyo.

Shortly after settling into my seat, a flight attendant offered me a predeparture beverage. Options included Champagne and a nonalcoholic variant. My wife and I both opted for the nonalcoholic option.

The meal service began after reaching cruising altitude, approximately 20 minutes after takeoff. Menus were placed in the seat pockets, so I took my time to see what I would choose for this flight. The lunch service consisted of a first course, a main, and a dessert.

The separate beverage menu offered an extensive selection of Champagne, wine, beer, and sake. However, several nonalcoholic options were also available, including coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fruit juices, sparkling water, and soft drinks.

A flight attendant also presented a separate breakfast card for guests to choose their meal. With only a few moments to decide, I opted for the Asian breakfast and added some pastries on the side.

Shortly after, a flight attendant came by and asked about initial drink preferences. I opted for a Coke Zero. The drink was accompanied by some cashews, which I absolutely loved.

Once I was finished with the snack, a flight attendant collected my empty cup of cashews and set up the tray table.

About 15 minutes later, the crew member served the first course. The starter consisted of steamed fjord trout with white wine sauce and herb-infused oil. It was served with a small salad and some slices of cheese. The flight attendants also brought a selection of bread. I inquired if there was garlic bread, but, sadly, there was not.

The fish was fantastic, and the white wine sauce complemented it perfectly. However, the salad and cheese were disappointing, and the bread was a bit hard and not particularly enjoyable.

Then, the flight attendant brought the main course. I opted for the casarecce pasta with pesto cream sauce, broccolini, and pistachios.

Despite the small portion, the main course was delicious. I was initially concerned that I had made the wrong choice, but I’m glad I opted for the pasta.

Meanwhile, my wife opted for the beef tenderloin with basil sauce, which she said was excellent. She noted that the basil sauce was a particularly good pairing with the beef.

Shortly after I finished the main course, the flight attendant brought dessert: an éclair with raspberries and caramelized pistachios. I’m happy to report that this dessert was also fantastic, and since my wife was full from the meal, I got a second dessert.

About an hour and a half before landing, the flight attendants started the breakfast service. Although I had originally chosen the Asian breakfast, it was no longer available by the time the flight attendant reached me, which was quite disappointing. I requested the English breakfast instead.

It included a sun-dried tomato quiche with tomato sauce, which was surprisingly delicious. I also added 2 soft-to-the-touch croissants that were quite tasty.

I also went a little overboard with the beverage selection. I opted for a glass of cold milk, hot chocolate, and some orange juice.

Bottom Line:

Although SWISS is not known for its onboard cuisine, the food was better than I thought it would be overall. Maybe it was because I had low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised by how excellent most of the food was on the flight.

Amenities

SWISS offered some basic amenities for business class passengers. However, it was also severely lacking in some places — here’s a look at what was available.

Inflight Entertainment

Although I barely used the IFE during the flight (in favor of consuming content on my laptop), I occasionally checked our flight path. I looked through the entertainment options and found several Hollywood movies and a small selection of Western TV shows.

The IFE screen was quite small and is due for a refresh (which will occur when the airline’s new product is introduced). Overall, the inflight entertainment was not that bad, but could definitely be improved.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Business class passengers received a pair of noise-canceling headphones for the inflight entertainment.

The headphones were comfortable for the short time I used them, and the earcuffs had good padding. However, since I didn’t use the inflight entertainment much, I didn’t use the headphones much either, instead opting for my AirPods.

Amenity Kit

SWISS also provided business class passengers with a Victorinox-branded amenity kit. The amenity kit was relatively simple and didn’t feel high-quality at all.

The amenity kit contained a toothbrush, a sleeping mask, comfort socks, earplugs, moisturizing lotion, and lip balm.

I thought the slippers were a nice touch, and useful for trips to the bathroom or for walking around the cabin.

Onboard Wi-Fi

The airline’s fleet of 777s is equipped with inflight Wi-Fi. There was a free messaging plan, a 4-hour plan for CHF25 (~$29), or a premium full-flight plan for CHF35 (~$39). Since I didn’t have work to do, I opted to stick to the free messaging plan.

Service

I found SWISS’s cabin crew service to be average at best. Perhaps I’ve simply been spoiled by the exceptional service of carriers like Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Etihad Airways, and Turkish Airlines, all of which I have flown recently.

Although the cabin crew was generally friendly and smiling, I found there to be a lack of engagement and personal touches. The crew was also slightly slow to respond to my requests, especially during the meal service. It was a full flight, but having to wait for nearly 20 minutes to have my tray table cleared after the meal service was unacceptable.

I also found them to be more reactive than proactive. I had to ask for drinks several times throughout the flight; it would have been nice if the flight attendants just asked me if I needed anything when we made eye contact instead of me having to ask each time.

Arrival at Narita Airport

We arrived in Tokyo shortly before 9 a.m., a couple of minutes ahead of our scheduled arrival time. As I entered the terminal, I looked back to take a picture of the SWISS 777-300ER that had brought us from Zurich.

Although I have been to Tokyo several times (including once earlier this year), I was even more excited about this trip because this was the first time I was here with my wife. I always feel a burst of euphoria when I arrive at an airport in Japan, as the country is my favorite out of the more than 100 I’ve traveled to so far.

Final Thoughts

Although I didn’t have high expectations with SWISS (primarily due to abysmal business class experiences with Lufthansa and Austrian), I was pleasantly surprised at how generally nice the flight was.

The hard product was pretty solid. I liked the look of the business class cabin, and the seat was spacious and comfortable. However, the soft product could still use some work. I found the service to be average at best — not up to par with many other international airlines.

I have flown long-haul business class on 8 different airlines this year. I would place this business class experience somewhere in the middle of the pack. I will definitely fly SWISS in a premium cabin again in the near future. However, I will try to do so in its new premium cabin, which is set to arrive sometime in 2025.