Date: 05/03/2015
Aircraft: Embraer 190
From - To: ZRH - BRU
Seat: 16D
Departure: 17h00
Arrival: 18h15
Being already checked in online, I left the office about 1 hour before boarding time which was at 16h35.
Had received my boarding pass automatically the evening before at 21PM already and was given seat 16D.
Since it's my first time on the Helvetic Embraer, I had no idea if this was a good seat or not, but it matched my M&M preference for aile seating, so I just kept it as I supposed they're all the same, which I can confirm.
After a short train ride (quite expensive, as everything in Switzerland; luckily it all goes on expense note), I arrived at the airport. With still some time to spare, I could have gone to one of SWISS' many different lounges at ZRH (anybody an idea how many they actually run there???), but I decided to try doing something else for once since I promissed to write a report about this trip: there's actually a public observation deck at ZRH from where you can oversee the planes parked! Maybe an idea for BRU too?
Of course, you need to be security screened first and -again no surprise for Switzerland- you need to pay (5CHF), but okay, that's yet another reason for BRU to do it then, maybe.
Anyway, by the time I made it there, it started raining and I noticed my hand luggage would have to go in lockers as it was too big to be allowed out on the observation deck, so last minute abortion of the plan.
That means I went straight to the gate, but first of course I needed to make my way through security (happened swiftly, no advantage to the priority lanes this time) and then through all the shops (very annoying!). Still wondering who's buying all those huge Toblerone chocolate bars, in fact!
Let's be a little chauvinistic for once: Swiss chocolate is second to Belgian one!
Anyway, I arrived at the gate and very soon after the automatic boarding process started.
First bizclass and status passengers could board and then soon after the electronic gate opened and the rest of the passengers were able to scan their code as well: off to the Embraer then, which I know from "Luftie", of course. Wonder if this one will feel truely SWISS and how much of a Helvetic look it will have? Load was about 2/3rd if I counted well, but despite the relatively small size of the plane, no handluggage had to be taken off as far as I say, which is good of couse, even though at SWISS they give it back to you right upon arrival at the exit door of the plane. Always a good idea, because if you travel with handluggage only (often more vulnerable than a hardcase suitcase) you do not want to pick you your trolley at the belt, no way!
Welcomed onboard by a nice stewardess (they are 3 cabin crew on this jet) and took my seat swiftly.
A welcome speech in German and English, a safety demo and a round of newspapers later,and off we went.
While climbing out, I went briefly through the SWISS inflight magazine of this month and saw they page about Helvetic's Embraer which operates on behalf of them. It seems 4 will be used in total (on top of 4 Fokkers)! Are they in need of so much extra capacity at SWISS?
Pitch seems to be identical as on SWISS Airbus fleet and the seat next to me was keft empty, so that's good.
The rest if the flight went by very fast and uneventful as it is called and I didn't take the snack which was offered to me, so no comment on that; just a cup of tea and a few SWISS branded chocolates on top, thank you very much.
Shortly before landing, crew went through the cabin with a round of chocolates for everybody once more, as if I hadn't seen enough of them yet, but okay, it's Switzerland's signature product almost, so I understand. And a nice gesture too, of course. It's actually a fairly large chocolate bar they give you, not just the small Neuheus chocolates as we all know them from Brussels airlines, but the latter are still way better, of course.
Landed in BRU on time, and parked at the A terminal.
Another SWISS (well, Helvetic actually) flight completed; always good for the status miles of course, not so good for the expense note for my company (780 euro return fare).
Next week back to ZRH, but then on the very familiar Airbus once more, so no trip report as it takes much more time than I'd have guessed when I read those reports from others!!!
My respect to all those who write them has just grown, believe me!
(And I agree with your comment about Swiss chocolate 
).
