• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home  >  Flight Reviews • SWISS  >  Review: SWISS A330-300 Business Class
Flight ReviewsSWISS

Review: SWISS A330-300 Business Class

Matthew Klint Posted onApril 3, 2023April 4, 2023 17 Comments

From Boston to Zurich I traveled on SWISS onboard an aging yet nevertheless comfortable A330-300 in business class. While SWISS business class, particularly on the A330, represents a below-average product these days, I quite appreciated the superb service onboard and still managed a few hours of sleep on the short transatlantic crossing.

SWISS A330-300 Business Class Review

My destination for the weekend was Zurich and I was in Boston. I could have saved my miles and flown United via London (the easiest upgrade in the system), but the SWISS flight made sense because it provided an extra hour of sleep and a morning arrival into Zurich. This flight costs 60K points via Air Canada Aeroplan, 73K via United Airlines MileagePlus, or 63K miles via Avianca LifeMiles. Taxes fees ex-USA are cheap ($5.60), though Aeroplan and Avianca add on modest processing charges of about $25.

I checked in online and used the Lufthansa Lounge prior the flight. Boarding began at at 9:10 pm, about 40 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

SWISS 53
Boston (BOS) – Zurich (ZRH)
Thursday, October 20
Depart: 09:40 PM
Arrive: 11:05 AM+1
Duration: 7hr, 25min
Distance: 3,745 miles
Aircraft: Airbus A330-300
Seat: 10D (Business Class)

Onboard, a trio of very cheerful flight attendants smiled and welcomed me onboard.

Seat

Booking this at the last minute, I ended up an aisle seat in the center section. SWISS utilizes the Thompson Aero Vantage seat for its longhaul business class seats fleet wide and the cabin is comprised of 45 business class seats arranged in an alternating 1-2-1, 2-2-1 pattern. A mini-cabin of just two rows sits behind first class, fowled by a galley and lavatories, then eight rows of business class.

My seat for the night, 10D.

So-called “throne” seats are available in the even-numbered A seats.

Each seat has a universal power outlet within easy reach as well as a USB-A and S-video (talk about modern…) port.

Seat adjustments are made via a control pad near the armrest. That includes a massage function and an ability to make the seat cushion firmer or softer.

While I don’t find these seats bad, I rank them below average in comparative terms and particularly find the aisle seats lack privacy and do not have a lot of room in the footwell. They are also quite narrow.

To make matters worse, SWISS’s bedding is atrocious (a blanket more suited for economy class).

Nevertheless, after dinner I slept…and slept like a log until the pink mood lights were turned on for breakfast.

SWISS has so much potential to make its product more competitive as it retrofits its fleet with new “Swiss Senses” seat. Hopefully when it does so, it will also update the bedding. Honestly, flying SWISS feels like flying was 10 years ago…because that is exactly what SWISS Business is like. Somehow I find the seat much more tolerable on narrow body aircraft (like on the JetBlue or SAS A321) and that may well be because of the bedding.

IFE + Wi-Fi

SWISS continues to offer absurd wi-fi pricing (though I recently experienced a glimmer of hope). Charging CHF39 (about $42.50) for 120MB of wi-fi is wholly uncompetitive.

The screen on the A330 is quite small, but SWISS offers a fairly easy-to-use interface and features a generous selection of movies, TV shows, games, and music. I was not in the mood to watch anything, but did utilize the moving flight map.

Five decades of Tom Cruise? (80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, 20s) – How time flies!

Noise-cancelling headphones are SWISS-branded and worked reasonably well.

I like how SWISS displays connecting gate info on individual IFE screens in a format that looks straight out of 1990.

Lavatory

Two lavatories are located between the business class mini-cabin and larger cabin. They included face spray and herbal lotion from Soeder.

Amenity Kit

The business class amenity kit included a Victorinox-branded (the maker of Swiss Army knives) black tin with contents including:

  • socks (red in color)
  • toothbrush + toothpaste
  • earplugs
  • eyeshade

A very simple kit with no skin products. Sticking with the SWISS branding, I’d love to see at least some Ricola and a nice comb or brush, plus perhaps a Rolex watch (joking).

Food + Drink

Upon boarding, passengers were offered a non-alcoholic sparkling elderberry juice or a glass of sparkling wine. I found the elderberry juice refreshing.

Menus were also disturbed. They included not only a listing of food choices and separate wine list, but also a card for breakfast that you filled out with the breakfast items you wished to eat prior to landing.

An abbreviated meal service began promptly after takeoff. No nuts were served with the beverage. I ordered a glass of 2019 Gally Assemblage Rouge AC Valais, a red wine from Switzerland.

Meals were served on a single tray, including an appetizer, bread, cheese, and main course. Appetizer choices included:

Burrata with maple balsamic vinegar, grilled artichoke, roasted red and yellow cherry tomatoes

or

Balik salmon with sweet chili and lime dressing, Asian slaw, Japanese-style pickled cucumber and toasted black sesame

Main course choices included:

Seared beef tenderloin with wholegrain mustard sauce
Roasted fingerling potatoes, sautéed spinach and cabbage with bacon

Thai red curry with shrimps
Jasmine rice and baby bok choy

Gnocchi with pomodoro sauce and charred broccolini

I chose burrata for my appetizer and the beef tenderloin for my main course. The appetizer hit the spot and I found the maple balsamic vinegar to be delicious. The beef main course was of course cooked well-done and not the highest grade of beef, but the wholegrain mustard sauce was quite nice. Cheese is always excellent on SWISS.

Finally, I concluded dinner with dessert including a chocolate brownie cake, a piece of Swiss chocolate, and a decaf espresso…and a grapas tasting (not for me…).

Next time I’ll pass on the grapas!

I had absolutely no hunger when breakfast came around (prompting this question), but I ordered it anyway for purposes of this flight review. No hearty selections like eggs were offered, but the croissant and pain au chocolat were admittedly hot and delicious. The orange juice was Tropicana, not fresh-squeezed, and the mango smoothie was a bit too sweet for my taste, but I loved that the Chobani Greek yogurt was plain (though it still had a bit of sugar) and I also appreciated the cappuccino.

Yes, I ate most of it:


> Read More: Why Do I Even Eat Airline Food?


Maybe next time I’ll have the willpower to skip breakfast…

Service

While true that I find the SWISS business class product underwhelming overall, I though the service aboard was spectacular.

The ladies working the cabin were witty, kind, attentive, and gracious. Instead of being looked at with skepticism for taking pictures, I was welcomed to do so and one flight attendant even posed for a picture.

What impressed me even more is that flight attendants let passengers sleep as late as possible: breakfast did not begin until an hour prior to landing…and every seat was taken in the 45-seat cabin. That required some serious hustle, but the flight attendants pulled it off flawlessly, even offering refills on coffee and tea (to be far, many passengers did sleep through it).

Arrival Into Zurich

I landed at a remote gate and took a bus into the terminal.

Packed bus from remote gate to terminal at ZRH

There, I found one of the worst lines for passport control I have seen in many years in the Schengen Area. As annoying as that was, it was great see travel rebound so ferociously.

CONCLUSION

I cannot say that SWISS offers an above-average or even average product in business class when its seat is dated, bedding poor, internet prices outrageous, and food only fair. Even so, the service saved this flight. Flight attendants were simply perfect and that made the flight a joy. Despite the seat, I would not hesitate to fly SWISS again on the A330.

Previous Article American Airlines Flight Attendants Decry “Unlawful” Attendance Policy
Next Article Out Of Control Tipping: Enough Already!

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Johannesburg Newark Business Class Review

    Review: United Airlines 787-9 Business Class Johannesburg – Newark

    May 26, 2023
  • Helicopter South Africa

    My Helicopter Ride In South Africa On Bell 206L

    May 17, 2023
  • Kenya Airways 787-8 Economy Class Review

    Review: Kenya Airways 787-8 Economy Class

    May 15, 2023

17 Comments

  1. Evan Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 9:59 am

    Under the “seat” section I think you meant comprised instead of compromised

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      April 3, 2023 at 10:08 am

      Correct. Thank you.

    • Maugrim Reply
      April 4, 2023 at 3:28 am

      Victronix? It’s Victorinox.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        April 4, 2023 at 1:58 pm

        Yawn.

        But thanks.

  2. shoeguy Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 10:04 am

    Excellent report. Flew LX from JFK to ZRH and back in Swiss Business for the WEF in January. LX provides a very average experience overall, but for the crew and the catering. Otherwise, the product on board the A330-300s are increasingly dated. Have flown LX a lot and have never been on a flight that has left on time, either.

  3. Lukas Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 10:10 am

    I’m glad you enjoyed your flight (and I really appreciate the review), but I personally can’t stand this product. I’ve – within the last couple of years – flown transatlantic Star Alliance business class on United, SAS, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, LOT, Lufthansa, Austrian and Swiss, and I firmly believe that Swiss is dead last, followed by Austrian. I just can’t stand the seats. Extremely narrow and tight, and almost always with non-funcitioning air pillows, effectively turning your seat into a bench. I recently had the option of flying business class on Swiss or bulkhead economy+ (with a seatblock next to me) on SAS, and picked SAS. The new business class seats on Swiss can’t come soon enough!

  4. T. Overmier Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 10:12 am

    Love reading your blog. You hit the Swiss experience dead on. Nothing to add. I lived in Zürich for 7 years and flew Swiss non stop (Asia, North America, Europe). When their business class first appeared on the market (10+ years ago), it was fantastic (yet Singapore airlines did and still does retain the top spot). It’s a pity they are not retrofitting fast enough because the service of the airlines is top!

  5. Erick Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 11:42 am

    How do you always get the empty cabin photos? Do you ask to board early to get pictures?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      April 3, 2023 at 11:43 am

      I’m glad you noticed! 😉

      No, I did not ask to board early. I pride myself in not giving any indication I am writing a review. Instead, I line up far too early like a gate lice fool. But at least I have a good reason for it!

  6. Aaron Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 1:18 pm

    “when its seat is dated, bedding poor, internet prices outrageous, and food only fair.”

    And yet, you slept like a log and ate everything off your plates for both meals…I’d say for an overnight TATL, it did what it was supposed to, and then some.

  7. Paul Francis Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 3:47 pm

    I’m not convinced the passport queues are due to travel rebounding in itself, umber of flights and passengers is still far enough below pre covid levels that there is no excuse for such inconvenience at passport control. As regards Swiss Airlines, seat is outdated but I’ve been in many J cabins over the years where the seat has been amazing but everything else was a far cry from what I have experienced with Swiss Airlines. Tjanks for this article, is is very refreshing to see someone post a genuine review that acknowledges what really makes a pleasant flight. Getting very tired of reading about fully lie flat, direct aisle access, board from lounge etc. Nonsense, without the crew and service the seat and boarding is absolutely zero consolat.

  8. Mick Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 5:26 pm

    When the lights come on can make a real difference in how I enjoy a flight. On reasonably short night flights eg ord London (or last week we did syd kl and sin syd) lights have come on over 2hrs before landing eg 4/5am. Combine with long dinner service and sleep can be really cut short.

  9. Skedguy Reply
    April 3, 2023 at 10:37 pm

    The hard product was out of date when I flew it least in 2018. The meal service ditto and the beef supplier appears to have not changed over the years – still overdone and shoe leather. A single plate J class dinner and the wine list is pathetic. Never saw what the big woo about LX J class was about.

  10. Lukas Reply
    April 4, 2023 at 12:10 am

    Everyone is woke these days but it still surprised me that “Menus were also disturbed.” 😀

  11. Ethab Reply
    April 4, 2023 at 5:55 am

    it’s not an “S-Video” port, it’s a Panasonic proprietary port that can be connected to 30-pin connector on iPhone 4S and earlier iPhone, iPod and iPad for watching content on iDevices.
    Still old, but not that old.
    And I totally applaud Qatar and ANA for adding HDMI input to their IFE system so people can use their own entertainment on big IFE screens.

  12. Vinod Reply
    April 4, 2023 at 11:38 am

    Was there a chip in your grapas tasting glass? It appears to be the case from the picture?

    • Sam Reply
      April 5, 2023 at 12:23 am

      The alcohol would immediately sanitize any cuts. It’s fine.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for May

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • America The Beautiful May 29, 2023
  • United Airlines CEO Says USA Is The “Greatest Country In The History Of The Planet” May 29, 2023
  • Coat Overhead Bin
    Is It Rude To Place Your Coat In The Aircraft Overhead Bin? May 29, 2023
  • United Club Fly Lounge DEN Review
    Review: United Club Fly Lounge Denver (DEN) May 29, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Punches United Airlines Gate Agent
    Man Repeatedly Punches United Airlines Gate Agent After She Asked Him To Vacate First Class Seat He Poached May 3, 2023
  • Delta Air Lines Seat Recline
    Delta Air Lines Passenger Freaks Out After Passenger Pushed Her Seat When She Reclined May 1, 2023
  • American Airlines Pins Cockpit Door
    American Airlines First Class Passenger So Angry Over Meal Choices He Pins Flight Attendant To Cockpit Door May 11, 2023
  • Cursing Fight United Airlines
    “Don’t You Ever Tell Me To Speak English!” (Fight Breaks Out On My United Airlines Flight) May 17, 2023

Archives

May 2023
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Apr    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

Privacy Policy

© Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.