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After visiting the ITA Airways Hangar Lounge (I reviewed this last year, here), we headed down to the gate for a bus ride out to our flight to Zurich Airport (ZRH). I loathe boarding from a bus as it adds unnecessary stress to the experience. Boarding was quick and everyone fit inside one bus. We rode out to the SWISS flight operated by Helvetic Airways and a fairly new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. I liked that this plane had decent-sized overhead bins and the service was friendly for the short flight.
Anthony’s Take: I am a fan of SWISS and its subsidiary Helvetic Airways. This flight was short, but we were served a tasty Chicken Caesar Salad. Wi-Fi was not available, but power outlets were at every seat. The crew was pleasant and we were quickly at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
SWISS uses Terminal 1 at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). This terminal houses ITA Airways and a host of other airlines. It’s filled with tons of shopping, restaurants, and lounges to help you pass the time. Check-in was quick and we were able to use the Fast Track since we were flying Business Class. As mentioned, we hung out in the Hangar Lounge and had a tasty pasta meal before boarding our flight.
Boarding
The flight boarded on time. The gate area was crowded, but we arrived early enough to be the first to board the bus and head out to the aircraft. Boarding was orderly, but I wish airlines did not use busses to board aircraft. The overhead bins are a good size and we were able to fit our bags even though the man in the third row decided that he needed his bins further forward (were were in the second row as the bulkhead was booked).
On-Board
We selected seats 2A and 2F for the flight as row one was booked. An Embraer E195-E2 was used for the flight. It was arranged in a 2-2 configuration with the first three rows designated Business Class on our flight. The seat next to each of us was blocked.
Seat Features
The seats reclined and had tray tables. Pockets held an air sickness bag and the in-flight menu.
Outlets were available at every seat except for the bulkhead rows.
Overhead lights and no air nozzles were over each seat.
Row one has tons of legroom, but seats 2D and 2F are also technically in a bulkhead row.
Food
We were provided with a choice of beverage and a meal on the flight. A Chicken Caesar Salad was served along with a pretzel roll, cheese, and a sort of panna cotta dessert. Everything tasted fresh and this was a nice treat for such a short flight.
Chocolates were also passed prior to landing.
Lavatory
There are two lavatories on the aircraft (one up front).
The flight was short and the lavatory I used was clean.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
