Swiss Business Class A Zurich Lounge
The SWISS Business Lounge A near the Schengen gates is one of the nicest lounges at Zurich, and is the first lounge you come to after check in, but before passport control, at Zurich Airport.
On a non-Schengen flight you can visit here first, and then to either the D or E gate lounges, as it is not far beyond the airport's central security checkpoint for all departing passengers at the 'Airside Centre'.
You just have to leave a little time to go through passport control, and indeed then you can visit the D pier too. However, be warned the A Business Class lounge can get packed, and then some, in the middle of the day.
The lounge has a great bar, open kitchen, a quiet area and views over the airport.
Zurich Swiss Business Class A lounge review
The Swiss Business Class Lounge Zurich A gates is the latest Swiss lounge at the Zurich hub, and one that is well worth while visiting, as it is spread over three levels with a great dining room, a lovely bar, and good views. If you can see it through the crowds of people, that is.
The Zurich A gates Swiss Business Class Lounge is brand new, having been opened in the summer of 2018 when the whole of the Airside Centre was revamped. It was also split into two - so you get the feeling of visiting 'half' a lounge, and seeing the other half, the Senator side, through a glass wall. Even the central circular balcony area has been split: it's rather like a Berlin Wall of Zurich.
The main Swiss Lounges at Zurich are located in the middle of the building, and are shared between the Swiss Business and Senator Lounges, with the Business on the left.
There are however automated entry gates where you can scan either a boarding pass, or your bought lounge daypass.
There are a few seats by the entrance, but the main part of the lounge is upstairs, and indeed further up to a stylish relaxation area on the top floor with panoramic views of the tarmac, where the smoking area and the world's longest airport bar used to be installed. Alas, no longer.
As soon as you take the lift up, there is a huge market hall-style food area, with industrial aluminium pipes and an open kitchen at one end. Busy, frantic, and noisy, it is not at all relaxing.
To the left is a business centre, and there is a small outdoor balcony, mainly used by smokers.
Swiss influence on the design means there are Breitling clocks beside the digital flight information screens, and lots of wood and black leather, with light Swiss oak parquet floors, walls created from Jura stone, and minimalist furniture by Vitra and deSede.
If this is too busy, walk up one level again, to the lounge's 'silent area', on the balcony. Here you can look over the dining room on one side and the airport apron on the other. It would be relaxing, but it's also where the TV suites are installed, and with all of them waffling away, it's not really that quiet, even in the single window facing chairs. However, at least there is some natural light here.
Food
The Zurich A gates Swiss Business Class Lounge has a "front-cooking" concept, with hot dishes prepared on demand in an open kitchen. This looks great, but certainly adds to the noise in the dining area. Often there is a dish of the hour, and you can see what's on the menu for the period of your visit by looking at the blackboard.There is a bread and bakery section next to the fridge, which has a buffet with pasta, cold cuts of meat, cheese, olives, and dips.
There is also one hot soup of the day.
Desert is the usual Swiss freezer filled with Movenpick ice cream, and next to this is a gummy bear bowl.
Bar
The bar in the Swiss Business Class Lounge Zurich A gates is very good indeed, mainly thanks to the excellent choice of beer and wine.There is plenty of Swiss and German beer: wheat, dark, all the usual variants, it's all here.
Wine is more basic, and there is an Italian sparkling Spumante, which isn't quite so good.
The range of spirts is equally good, and all free pour sitting on the counter.
There are plenty of soft drinks and juice in the fridge too.
Business Facilities
The work area is a strange semi-circle of working benches, in the far corner of the lounge. Why odd? Well, you can see straight into the Senator Lounge next door, but not enter it.All of these benches have mains power sockets, with international outlets which will take UK plugs. USB sockets are here too.
There is also a bookable meeting room at the back of the lounge.
Wifi comes from the airports main supply, and is very fast indeed.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are in the lounge.Showers however are shared with the neighbouring Senator Lounge.
Access
Business Class passengers on Swiss and Lufthansa have access.
However, Star Alliance gold are directed next door.
Priority Pass members have no access to this lounge in pier A. Oddly, however, there is no Priority Pass access to the Swiss lounge in Pier D or the international Pier E.
Video: Swiss Business Lounge A
