You learn something new every day. My wife and I flew into Zurich earlier this week and found that two SWISS lounges are part of the Priority Pass network. Not that we had access…
SWISS has several lounges at Zurich Airport, but the business class lounge between the A & B gates and the D gates lounge are open to Priority Pass members.
The A/B lounge is open from 5:45AM to 10:30PM each day while the D lounge is open from 6AM to 9PM. Last time I flew out of ZRH I spent some time in the Aspire Lounge: now I can use the SWISS lounge whether I am flying Star Alliance or not.
Here’s why you should choose the SWISS lounge if you have the choice–
Better Food
The SWISS lounges have a hot buffet and nice selection of soups and salads. And gummy bears…
Less Crowds
All the lounges crowd up in Zurich, but the other Priority Pass lounges (Aspire and Danata) have always been particularly busy during the morning rush. I find the SWISS lounges to be less crowded.
“The” Bar
In the A/B lounge, SWISS offers world’s longest airport bar. It also serves as the smoking area, so you may want to take your drink and leave, but it is something unique.
The Problem with Priority Pass and a Star Alliance Gold Card
Although perfectly understandable, access to the SWISS Lounges (and all Priority Pass lounges) is restricted only to departing passengers. The same is true for Star Alliance Gold passengers (in most cases). That created a bit of headache for my wife and I earlier this week.
We arrived into Zurich at 4pm and had to wait about two hours for our ride to show up. (Yes, we could have taken the train, but it is rather difficult with two large checked bags, two carry-ons, a baby, a stroller, and two personal items). Augustine also soiled his diaper as we deplaned our SWISS flight…
So having access to a lounge would have been so nice. As we walked off our flight, a SWISS lounge greeted us. I knew the access rules but figured it was worth a shot. The lounge matron was not understanding. In fact, she was downright rude, as if we were trying to game the system just by asking. But at least we tried.
For both cost and crowding reasons I understand why SWISS and Priority Pass limit lounge access to only passengers with a valid onward departing boarding pass, but it sure would have been nice to have access, even if just to change the baby’s diaper.
Geneva Too
Note the SWISS Business Lounge in Geneva (GVA) is also a Priority Pass lounge. Hours are from 5:30AM to 9PM daily.
CONCLUSION
The addition of SWISS lounges to the Priority Pass network is a nice surprise. SWISS has above-average lounges that are worth your time if you arrive early for your flight. Just in case you are wondering, the SWISS lounges in New York (JFK) and Chicago (ORD) are currently NOT Priority Pass lounges.
“In fact, she was downright rude, as if we were trying to game the system just by asking….”
Uh, there’s no “as if”– you WERE trying to game the system. She didn’t have to be rude, of course.
Matthew-
I love this blog, but it’s getting harder and harder to read these articles… Are you still writing them yourself or is someone else? I feel like the grammar and readability have been on the decline. Maybe you’re trying to put out too many too quickly?
For example, this sentence: Last time I flew out of ZRH I spent some time in the Aspire Lounge: now I can use the SWISS lounge whether I am flying Star Alliance or not. It’s a run on coupled with a strange use of colon.
Either way, please consider a third-party editor for readability’s sake.
This blog doesn’t generate nearly the revenue necessary to justify an editor. I use Yoast with WordPress and it gives me a readability score with each article I write. Generally, I will edit posts until I get a green/good readable rating. Don’t worry — I’ll get better with practice.
Oh I wouldn’t hire someone for that either… there are plenty of college English majors that would do it as an “unpaid internship.” Something to consider given the volume of posts you’re putting out!
Matthew, the readability of this blog is perfectly fine. I appreciate this blog for the interesting travel news, especially without the credit card pimping
Hi Matthew,
My elderly father and I shall be traveling to Americas via Zurich soon. We have a seven hour stop over in Zurich. We are both Priority Pass card holders and would like to avail the services of the lounges at the airport whilst we wait for our onward flight.
I wanted to ask you, of all the lounges available to Priority Pass members, which is the one you would recommend? My father would probably like to catch some shut eye (which he doesn’t mind on a couch either).
This is the first time we’ll be accessing lounges. Is sleeping (decently) in lounges frowned upon? Is there a dress code for accessing these lounges? Since I prefer to wear shorts and flip flops while flying.
It’d be great to get your input. Thank you.
Hi Harshit, thanks for your question! Of all the PP lounges, I like the Swiss Lounge in D best.
It’s been a little while since I’ve been there, but I do recall a rest room with easy chairs for sleeping. Sleeping is not so much of a faux pax as moving furniture or putting your feet up.
The Swiss tend to dress more formally so you may get some stares or even an occasional sneer in flip flops and shorts, but there is no dress code to my knowledge.
Enjoy trip!
Thanks for the info. We are arriving from Boston and have a 2+ hr layover in Zurich and then on to Venice. Priority pass member via chase sapphire. Will be with wife and 2 kids.
I am having a difficult time figuring out if we will have lounge access, particularly a lounge with a shower. Once when connecting in Brussels we went through passport control and missed the lounge with a shower. Can you shed any insight into this?
thanks
DrT
Like LHR, London – are there any arrival lounges once you exit Zurich Airport?
Unlike LHR (two reviews below) there are not arrival lounges open to Priority Pass passengers in GVA or ZRH.
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2014/09/26/united-first-class-arrivals-lounge-london-heathrow/ [Priority Pass]
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2018/07/12/plaza-premium-lounge-london-heathrow-t2-arrivals-review/ [United/South African/Air Canada arrivals lounge for premium passengers]