Swiss: new lounges, priority security & business buses at Zurich

Switzerland's national airline Swiss is adding new services for business travellers at its home hub in Zurich with the opening of the new Dock B section at Zurich International Airport (ZRH).

Priority security lanes are now in place for business class, first class, and frequent flyers in the new separate security check building at Zurich.

A new business class lounge complex -- somewhat unimaginatively named "Swiss Lounge D" -- has opened in the international (non-Schengen) section of Dock B once you're inside.

Not sure what Schengen means in this context? Refresh your memory with our guide to the Schengen zone and its scope.

Swiss Lounge D is split into two sections: an ultra-swanky area for Miles & More frequent flyers with top-tier Senator status and equivalent Star Alliance Gold cardholders, and a more functional area for business class passengers and Miles & More second-tier Frequent Travellers.

In each section Swiss provies free wifi, a bistro area with buffet, Vitra designer armchairs and Jurassic limestone walls, plus "generously-sized windows" so you can catch a glimpse of Zurich.

When it's time to head to the plane, Swiss has taken a leaf out of parent airline Lufthansa's Frankfurt First Class Terminal book.

Swiss now has a business class bus service for planes arriving at remote stands away from the terminal. Twelve-seater Mercedes vans will pick up premium passengers, supplementing the regular airport buses used to ferry passengers to and from their aircraft.

With handy flights around Europe, efficiently modern Swiss airports and full Star Alliance membership for frequent flyer points and status recognition, canny business travellers already consider Swiss as a way to jet around the continent, and new features like these at its home hub add to the attraction.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.