Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago.
Sometimes, the simple things are the best things. A simple breakfast on SWISS in economy class is the subject of this week’s Meal of the Week.
I love breakfast. Eggs. Fruit. Waffles. Pancakes. Yogurt. French Toast. If I had to choose one meal per day, it would be breakfast and if I had to choose one meal that I knew I would have to eat every day for the rest of my life, I think it would be nonfat Greek yogurt with fresh berries and pecans. That seems like the one meal I would not get absolutely sick of over and over again.
Anyway, we don’t always have time for a nice breakfast. Sometimes we’re on the go or on a plane and we are just happy to eat what is put before us.
For this week’s Meal of the Week, I look back on a SWISS flight from Amsterdam to Zurich in economy class. It was an early morning flight and I was a bit hungry, having photographed but not eaten anything in the beautiful Star Alliance Lounge in AMS.
After takeoff, a croissant with coffee (or tea or other beverage) was served. Simple enough, right? But the croissant was moist and flakey and really hit the spot. The coffee was strong and also had a rich flavor. I only wish the croissant had been warmed up as well.
A breakfast cannot get much simpler than a cup of coffee and croissant. But everyone onboard seemed to enjoy it and it was just a small way of passing the time and making the flight a bit more humane.
Oh yes, and of course chocolates. No SWISS flight would be complete without SWISS chocolate.
Had I really wanted to get creative I could have stuck the chocolate inside the croissant…
Thank you SWISS.
*shudder*
PLEASE don’t let that croissant off that napkin to contact the tray table. I mean, what if you wanted to use the napkin mid-pastry? Most will plop the croissant onto the tray table. We’ve all seen it.
Germophobia on a plane is a good thing.
The COVID era was terrible but one thing good about it was that there was care put into keeping planes clean including the FA’s handing out wet-wipes upon boarding. We ought to keep that up: Everyone wipe off the tray table and armrests.
Now regarding germophobia: How many here actually wipe off/clean the hotel TV remote control?
Swiss is crazy good. Last Saturday I had a very punctual 45 minute basic economy flight from GVA to MUC and was served a sandwich (or pastry), drink, and a chocolate. And, the aircraft was spotless. It almost seemed miraculous in this day and age.
Very sorry to say that on Swiss a couple of times recently, between Geneva and Dublin, the flight staff selected those in economy who had a ‘better’ ticket and gave those a snack. I was on a hand luggage only option and got a nothing. Strange to say the least. Don’t think they can make up their minds. Everyone used to get a nice little quiche. Then we all got nothing. Now this.
Out of Geneva the light tickets do not include any snacks anymore. Only the classic and flex one does.
Lucky you got something edible.
On a recent business class flight from Zurich to London I was served a plate of red coloured couscous which was topped with a parsley leaf. On the side were two slices of tasteless cheese.
The couscous tasted of nothing and the tray went straight back and there were profuse apologies from the Maitre d’ Cabine.
The Swiss short haul offering is currently as confused as it’s possible to be and they need to sort out whether they are full service or just chaotic.
True, but when it’s good, it’s actually pretty good (for inter-European business class, at any rate).
LX can be hit-or-miss for catering, but it’s always a nice touch to give pax in Y a bite.
This was the exact same thing that was served in intra-Europe business class on Swiss regional when I flew them last year except the croissant was warm. I was surprised I even got anything since it was a very short flight from MXP.
Nice article.
It doesn’t have to be complicated to be good.
For a travel blogger, you have very low standards, it seems.