Swiss Senator Zurich Lounge Concourse E

The Zurich SWISS Airlines Senator Lounge Concourse E is a good lounge with a great outdoor terrace having superb Alpine views.

There is a spacious feel with great natural light, a live cooking station with dishes prepared to order, buffet dining, and a great self-serve bar.

Although very similar to the Business Class lounge next door, it has two great perks, the Whisky and Cocktail bar, and a great snooze area. There is also a superb outdoor terrace, with views of the Alps.

Zurich Swiss Senator lounge Concourse E review

It is well worth while hunting out the Zurich Swiss Senator lounge at Concourse E. Normally, I'd spend as much time as possible in the main part of the airport, as the new remote E gates have only a couple of Duty Free shops, however they do also boast three of the most superb lounges at Zurich.

The Swiss Business and Senator lounges share an entrance, up the stairs or the lift at gate E43 at Zurich Airport, and you then approach a large wide desk, with a world map behind (that seems to miss many small countries).

The Swiss Senator Zurich Lounge is on the right, and initially seems to just be a big long corridor. A really long corridor; take a close look, the woodcuts on the wall actually mirror all the Alpine peaks, and the triangles below the lakes. Inset into this wall is the magazine rack, with dozens of high end and aviation magazines, that have made a return with the end of Covid restrictions. Each one is below the coats of arms of the 26 cantons of Switzerland.

Opposite this woodcut wall are rather odd looking plywood seats, but they are actually very comfortable, and offer a superb view of the mountains beyond the runway. From here you can also see, and access the outdoor terrace. The open-air observation deck is open for most of the year, and boasts expansive views over runway 28 and the Swiss Alps, and a somewhat chilly view of the gates. When you are on the deck, look up. What seems to be an overhanging roof is actually made of hundreds of solar panels, all angled to catch the sun, which powers the lounge.

At the end of the corridor are several plywood phone booths, so you can make calls in private. Opposite this is an inner lightwell, with a great garden wall of living plants.

However, the lounge itself is no less than 1100 square meters, with space for 150 passengers, and the views are impressive from everywhere inside the Senator lounge, thanks to the floor to ceiling windows which run around the entire perimeter of the lounge.

The design is exquisite, and a modern take on SWISS' traditional décor. It combines the airline's signature touches such as hardwood floors, Vitra furniture and a small wall made of Jura limestone, again from the Alps.

The main seating areas is beyond here, with large, squishy, comfortable armchairs flanked by small side tables, which all have a built-in universal power outlet and individual lamps. The whole area gives a feeling of quiet serenity, particularly at dusk with the distant light over the Alps. There are also commercial displays here, typically for Swiss watchmakers, and some modern art which can be a bit disorienting.

As you continue walking around, past the Breitling watch display, with two talk-show style chairs on a stage, straight ahead is the snooze area. This is wonderfully designed, with high soft walls and Z frame reclining chairs that mean you can lay down, but alas the design slightly falls down as the chairs all face the large windows, without any real blinds. You can sleep here, so long as you can sleep in bright sunshine. There are also a couple of chairs that just face the corridor, so everyone looks at you coming in. They aren't idea.

Further around, past the main loungy area, you come to a small enclosed area with almost completely enclosed work booths. They are made out of plywood and rather claustrophobic, but are actually pretty good if you need to get some work done on a PC.

Further around is the dining area, which is not so comfortable, but much more hygienic. The seating area here is long, rectangular and rather dull, with a large room divider running down the middle. On one side, overlooking the windows are bar-stools and a shelf, while on the other is cafe style seating, if your cafe has the style of a motorway service station.

At the end of this area is the kitchen, with a new concept co-called 'front cooking': There is a large live cooking station where chefs prepare hot meals on demand.

Further along is the bar wall, with a couple of beer taps, and some bottles of wine in the opposite fridge, however this looks really rather poorer than you would expect in a normal Senator Lounge.

Next to this area, on one side there is a vast, island, coffee machine, which must be the largest and most impressive of it's type. Around the walls around here, are the salad fridges.

You might be thinking this is all there is, but if you go back to the entrance, and then head left, you end up in the Whisky Bar. This place is amazing, and is a must-visit, for nestled into the Zurich Swiss Senator Lounge at Terminal E is the 28/10 Whisky Club.

The 28/10 bar is named after the airport's main runway, which is also painted onto the far wall: the design is seen in the design of the shelving behind the bar.

Food

There is great catering at the Zurich Swiss Senator lounge Concourse E: certainly it is a step up from the Concourse A lounge.

The new Concourse E lounges has full theatre style cooking with a live cooking station where chefs prepare hot entrees on demand. There is a menu on the worktop. In the morning you can get omelettes with a choice of your fillings, from ham to mushrooms, In the evenings there is traditional Swiss fare.

If you are in a hurry, there is also a tradition buffet, but with only a couple of main meals in large heated silver tubs. Curry and noodles are popular in the evenings when the flights to Asia depart.

On the opposite wall is a large fridge, with a great salad selection. Next to this are the desserts, and these are top notch, with many different choices.

Bar

The Zurich Swiss Senator Lounge at Terminal E is the 28/10 Whisky Club. It may seem an odd choice for Zurich, which isn't known for it's Whisky tasting but it is still a good choice.

The bar itself showcases some 120 different whiskies from around the world, and there is a manual on the bar top, explaining all the different choices. The collection includes five locally-distilled Swiss single malts, including the rare Säntis Malt Schwarz and ithe milder Säntis Malt Föhnsturm plus the Macardo Single Malt and what the tasting notes describe as the "oaks, figs, prunes, orange, citrus, hints of tea and leather" of Swiss Highland Bergsturz. If you don't want a drink here, you can head to the main part of the lounge, which has a wine fridge, and bottles of beer.

There are also two draft beer taps.

However spirits are somewhat more lacking here, if only because the assumption is you will head to the Whisky Bar if you want a drink.

Business Facilities

There are six good work booths beyond the dining area. These are fully enclosed, and very private. The end two have PCs, which are pretty modern.

The lounge has free, fast, wifi, and pretty much every seat has a plethora of power ports, including USB power ports and mains powered 240 volt sockets of all countries, including UK and euro sockets.

There is a great magazine rack, with magazines you might not expect like aviation magazines, in the wooden cutout arrival corridor.

Bathrooms

Great bathrooms.

There are Four nicely decorated shower suites, shared with the adjacent Business Lounge. Towels and amenities are handled by reception, along with bookings.

Access

SWISS and Lufthansa first and business class, Miles & More Senator, HON Circle frequent flyers departing on a Lufthansa, Star Alliance or eligible codeshare partner flight and Star Alliance Gold cardholders departing on a same-day Lufthansa or Star Alliance flight.

Video: Swiss Senator Lounge E

Swiss Senator Lounge E video - Click to play

Swiss Senator Lounge E video - Click to play