Swiss Airlines is a smaller flag carrier owned and operated by the Lufthansa AG Group who’s holdings include Lufthansa German Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. They operate a consistent network across Europe and are a formidable challenger to IAG Group that owns British Airways and Iberia Group. While travelling with the Swiss Airlines group, they offer terrific lounges that are substantially quieter than their Lufthansa Airlines sisters. We visited the Swiss Airlines Senator Lounge “A” Zurich on our connection through Switzerland.

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Review: Swiss Airlines Senator Lounge “A”, Flughafen Zurich Airport, Zurich, Switzerland

This is a review of the Swiss Airlines Senator Lounge “A” in Zurich, Switzerland. For information on other Swiss Airlines Lounge, and one of the best arrivals’ lounges in the world, we invite you to see a review of the Swiss Airlines Arrivals Lounge Zurich, Switzerland.

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Connecting through Flughafen Zurich International Airport:

This was our second time connecting through Zurich in the last 5 months. I’d have to say this is my new favorite transfer airport. Why?

• Everything runs efficiently. 
• There has never been a line for inbound or outbound customs or immigration.
• The concourse is spacious and people aren’t running in front of you at all times.
• The regular public food options on the concourse look fresh and appealing. 
• The Swiss Arrivals Lounge is fantastic. 
• The Swiss Departure Lounges are terrific.
• There is a distinct lack of crowds everywhere. 
• There is also never a wait on the runways arriving or departing.

This makes me wonder what the worth is connecting through mega airports that are supposed to offer grandiose experiences (such as the Istanbul Ataturk Lounge or the Etihad Business Class Lounge with a Six Senses Spa) if you have no opportunity to use them since your experience is so disorganized or chaotic that it doesn’t become enjoyable? I think I’d take the understated Swiss Transfer Airport as it has always delivered on its experiences time and time again.

About the Swiss Senator Lounge, Zurich:

The Swiss Airlines Lounge(s) are the Swiss version of sanctuary in an already otherwise peaceful place. Owned by the Lufthansa Group and nestled in a quiet terminal, it’s hard to imagine that the space will be any more peaceful. Thankfully, unlike the typically busy Lufthansa Senator and Business Lounges, the Swiss Airlines Senator Lounge is a quiet place to relax before any flight.

Locating the Swiss Airlines Senator Lounge “A” Zurich:

The lounge was centrally located in the main concourse of the Zurich International Airport. It is adjacent to the SWISS First Lounge and is easily accessible from the secure side of the concourse.

Accessing the Swiss Airlines Business Lounge:

There were several ways to get into the Swiss Airlines Lounges.

Lufthansa / Swiss typically operates a tiered lounge structure, with different lounges for it’s business class travellers called “Business Lounge” and higher class business lounges for it’s high value customers (including Star Alliance Gold level members), called “Senator Lounge”. Swiss also operates First Class Lounges at select airport locations, including Zurich, Switzerland.

This version of the Swiss Lounge was a Senator Lounge. As a result, it is accessible for Swiss First Class travels or Lufthansa Miles and More Senator level members for those that fly in excess of 100,000 status miles in a calendar year (or higher HON Circle Levels), or Star Alliance Gold Members.

Today’s access was granted at the Senator Lounge courtesy of MrsWT73’s Star Gold Card from the Air Canada Aeroplan program.

Inside the Swiss Airlines Senator Lounge:

The Swiss Senator Lounge “A” is a spacious lounge on three levels with a bottom entry. 

The main is on the second floor and consists of the primary seating area, with substantial ambient light courtesy of windows that flow against the roof of the Zurich Airport. Natural light is always appreciated in any lounge space.

Wifi was available free of charge through a free code obtained at the front desk. 

Food and Beverage:

As always with Swiss, it is a pleasant ambiance and a good selection of fresh food and beverages. A lounge stocked with Haribo gummy bears and Schweppes Indian Tonic (Tonic Water). Even though there was ample wine, I stuck to water and juice. 

The food is always better in Europe and the lounge catering was no exception. We had muffins and other continental breakfast items available.

There was substantial wine and hard spirits available throughout the lounge. Most offerings were on a self pour basis.

Checking out the Longest “Bar” in the World:

The lounge also features the “longest” bar in the world. It’s positioned in a creative way, making use of a long narrow space. It’s located up the stairs on the third floor.

Unfortunately, it’s a smoking zone so I only stuck around for the photograph. It had a slight odour to it and it wasn’t a pleasant place to be. This was likely due to its configuration and slightly confined space. Otherwise, it would have been a neat place to hang out.

They have since re-purposed this space to accommodate lounger suites with views of the aircraft, and have moved the smokers into a designated outside space.

My Thoughts on the Swiss Airlines Senator Lounge “A” Zurich:

We spent almost 45 minutes here and had pleasant connection experience. Unlike the crowded Lufthansa Senator Lounges in Gernmany, I’ve found the Swiss Lounges in Switzerland to be a much calmer environment. Indeed, the lounge was never stuffed full during our visit. I’d highly recommend the experience.

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