Experience Flying Economy Class on SWISS A330: Delicious Food but a Long Journey

Introduction to the Flight

We recently returned to the U.S. from Switzerland on a SWISS A330 flight in economy class. While we enjoyed some fantastic meals, there were other aspects that didn’t quite meet our expectations.

First Impressions of SWISS A330

My initial plan was to visit Copenhagen before heading home, but due to a family obligation in Germany, we had to cancel our trip to Denmark. With European flights fully booked during the Easter holiday, the cost of a ticket from Zurich to Copenhagen was almost the same as a one-way ticket from Zurich to Chicago (with tickets to Los Angeles being even pricier).

Although I love flying business class with SAS, I decided to try SWISS's economy class for the first time in five years, hoping to save my SAS points for future trips (if SAS doesn’t devalue the EuroBonus program any further…).

Airport Amenities

Before takeoff, I really enjoyed the SWISS lounge in Zurich, especially the ones in the E-Gates area (satellite terminal). We had a delicious lunch on the terrace, overlooking several large planes. It was fantastic!

The Flight and Seating

The flight to Chicago was operated by an Airbus A330-300. While I had previously reviewed the economy class on a SWISS 777, this was my first experience with the A330. My seat was located at the back of the economy cabin, with a basic fare ticket that assigned my seat automatically during check-in.

In the A330 cabin, the seating configuration is 2-4-2 (with a few rows at the back having a different layout), and we were seated in a section with four seats, with a stranger next to me in the aisle. The flight departed fully booked. It was a long nine-hour flight, and the last two hours were particularly uncomfortable, especially since the Wi-Fi wasn’t working (I paid for the Wi-Fi package but only had intermittent access and will be requesting a refund).

Seat and Cabin Comfort

The seats weren’t overly uncomfortable, but the legroom was tight, and the recline was generous, making it difficult to work on my laptop. Additionally, the cabin was quite warm, and there were no personal air vents, which is a common issue on SWISS. While the impressive recline is great for overnight flights, it made working nearly impossible during the daytime flight.

In-Flight Dining

On the bright side, the meal service was commendable. Lunch began with cheese cubes (similar to those served in business class), and they were truly delightful. I even enjoyed a glass of sparkling wine—although not Champagne, it was still a decent bubbly.

Lunch options included a pasta dish (which my kids loved) or a tasty chicken in cream sauce served with mashed potatoes and green beans. The meal also featured fresh lentils and high-quality bread. I’d rate this meal a solid 10/10 for economy class dining.

Service and Conclusion

During the flight, the crew also served Mövenpick chocolate ice cream—what a treat! Two hours before landing, a lighter snack was offered… delicious bread alongside a wonderful bulgur salad. I really enjoyed the food on this flight.

The flight attendants were attentive, always ready to refill drinks, and very polite. However, we did encounter headwinds and arrived in Chicago about 30 minutes late.

In summary, the service and meals on the flight were excellent, showcasing SWISS's quality. The seating wasn’t too bad, but the limited legroom made working nearly impossible. The cabin was also a bit warm. Would I fly SWISS economy class again? Definitely… overall, it was a memorable flight.

Reference and edited content from: Live and Let's Fly