2023-10-16 13:58:00
For 49 francs you will be given priority at the security check
Entry to the “ZRH Club” costs the same as the Swiss Lounge, but offers significantly less in terms of gastronomy. But he has another advantage.
View of the tarmac: the new lounge area at the airport.
Photo: PD
From November 1st, a new paid offer will be available to passengers at Zurich Airport: In addition to the “Center Bar” with a view of the tarmac, the airport is building an enclosed area with sofas, armchairs and tables. It is also after the security check. Capacity is limited to fifty people.
It will be called “ZRH Club” and is open to all travelers, including the largest group of economy class passengers. ZRH is the most commonly used abbreviation for Zurich Airport internationally.
Airport denies connection to long queues
Entry to the closed area costs 49 francs and can now be booked online. Travelers receive a drink and a small snack at their seat. You can choose from Birchermüesli, sushi or Tibetan momos.
However, the real advantage is something else: booking the “ZRH Club” includes use of the priority lane at the security check. Passengers can therefore buy the opportunity to be checked more quickly, which can be worthwhile on busy days.
The airport was publicly criticized for long queues, especially in summer. The main reason for this was the lack of staff at the Zurich Cantonal Police, which is responsible for security checks.
However, a spokeswoman for the airport denies that there is a connection between the problems at security checks and the new offer. Rather, the innovation is the result of customer surveys in recent years.
There is a demand between cheap and expensive
The airport’s move is the latest in a long-term differentiation of air transport offerings in recent years. The airline industry has recognized that many people do not want to pay the full amount for a business or even first class ticket. However, many travelers are willing to spend smaller amounts to improve the travel experience.
This is how the airline Swiss discovered the value of the Premium Economy seat category. For a moderate additional charge, it provides more legroom and a larger selection of food and drinks. Swiss is installing premium economy on a large scale in all of its long-haul aircraft and is doing without classic economy seats. (Read here is our reporting to Swiss Premium Economy.)
At Swiss everything is discretionary
Swiss also lets Economy passengers from all airlines into its business lounges for an additional charge of 49 francs. A comparison with the airport’s new offering, which is equally expensive, comes to mind.
The gastronomic offering in the Swiss Lounge is broader than in the “ZRH Club” – above all, guests can help themselves to the buffet at their own discretion. In addition to shielded work niches and toilets exclusively for lounge guests, Swiss even has showers available.
However, the Swiss Lounge has one disadvantage compared to the new “ZRH Club”: pushing in the priority lane is not included in entry to the lounge.
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