At the end of last year, I reflected on my points and miles journey. Having joined the travel rewards community in early 2023, I'd successfully redeemed multiple Business Class flights for my wife and me on Turkish, United, and ANA scheduled for 2024. My next goal was clear: experiencing First Class travel. Surprisingly, this aspiration became reality far sooner than expected.

How I Booked Swiss First Class

Originally booked in Swiss Business Class from Montreal to Zurich and onward to Tokyo Narita (NRT), we received an upgrade offer at check-in in Zurich. For an additional $1,575 per person, we secured seats in Swiss First Class aboard a Boeing 777-300ER for the 13-hour flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Narita. Considering our initial redemption of 87,500 Aeroplan points plus $220 in fees per person, we decided the upgrade was worth the splurge, especially given that Swiss Business Class appeared somewhat outdated from reviews we'd seen online.

Swiss First Class Lounge
Arriving at Zurich Airport's Swiss First Class Lounge at approximately 6:00 AM, we were immediately greeted by attentive staff and given the choice between a comprehensive lounge tour or a private room for rest and relaxation. We chose the latter—a spacious private suite equipped with a king-sized bed, TV, private bathroom, and complimentary sparkling water.
After several hours of comfortable rest, we refreshed with hot showers before heading to the lounge's elegant dining area. Breakfast, accompanied by stunning views of the Swiss Alps, featured perfectly prepared poached eggs Benedict, fresh granola and yogurt, and expertly crafted lattes. With only a handful of passengers present, service felt truly personalized. A leisurely stroll on the outdoor terrace, spotting a few Emirates A380s, rounded off our luxurious lounge experience.

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Swiss First Class Cabin & Seat
Swiss First Class boarding was effortless, efficient, and incredibly welcoming. Upon entering the aircraft, we were warmly escorted to seats 2D and 2G, located within a spacious and exclusive cabin featuring just two rows in a 1-2-1 configuration and two dedicated first-class washrooms. Immediately noticeable was the significant upgrade from Swiss Business Class in terms of space, privacy, and overall comfort.

We were promptly offered welcome drinks, cashews (unfortunately served cold), internet access cards, and high-quality pajamas in either short- or long-sleeve options.
Each suite featured ample personal space, excellent privacy with sliding doors (though a small drawback was that the sliding door exposed your jacket when fully closed), and intuitive controls.

JAL’s A350 First Class is designed by Safran, and the Japanese attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the suite. The rose red leather seats, gold chrome lantern-style lighting, and polished wood finishes create a refined and elegant aesthetic.

Unlike many first-class cabins, JAL’s in-seat speakers actually work without disturbing neighboring passengers, a small but notable touch. The suite itself felt solid and well-built, unlike some first-class products that use cheaper materials.

Swiss First Class entertainment and amenities

Amenities included luxurious bedding with a notably thick and comfortable mattress pad and an amenity kit by Zimmerli × SWISS. The kit had a thoughtful Swiss touch—featuring Ricola cough drops, alongside skincare products and essential travel items.

Swiss offered free high-speed Wi-Fi for First Class passengers, with impressive speeds of around 20MB/sec. Connectivity was excellent throughout the entire flight, allowing me to comfortably use iMessage, WhatsApp, browse the web, and access Instagram without any disruptions.

The inflight entertainment selection was decent but lacked external aircraft cameras, which would have been a nice addition.

Swiss First Class Food & Beverage

Dining aboard Swiss First Class was nothing short of exceptional, with service beginning shortly after takeoff. The meal kicked off with a delightful amuse-bouche—an intriguing blend of curry, wood ear mushrooms, peanuts, seaweed, and pretzel sticks.

For appetizers, the Balik Salmon was outstanding and highly recommended, while my wife enjoyed a flavorful potato and kale mousse with beetroot tartare.

For the main course, my wife selected perfectly cooked cod topped with Oona caviar, while I enjoyed a tender, delicious boneless veal with yuzu jus. We complemented our meals with a tasting of all three red wines on board. 

Dessert included an underwhelming buckwheat mousse, but the orange vanilla soufflé was a standout—highly recommended.

About 90 minutes before arrival, breakfast service commenced, featuring an impressive spread: fresh bread, jams, yogurt with fruit, oats, freshly squeezed juices, and lattes. Our mains included scrambled eggs with tomato sauce and pine nuts (my choice) and buckwheat pancakes with tomato sauce (my wife's choice), both flavorful and satisfying.

Sleep Experience
After dinner, we changed into provided pajamas while the attentive crew transformed our seats into incredibly comfortable lie-flat beds. I managed six hours of solid sleep after watching a movie—a testament to the comfort and quietness of Swiss First Class.
I was only able to sleep 1.5 hours before waking up. To kill time, I watched a movie while eating more food. While the in-seat speakers were good, I still preferred the Bang & Olufsen headphones JAL provided.
Final Thoughts
Descending into Tokyo Narita, I reflected on the extraordinary quality of our Swiss First Class experience—from impeccable ground services to onboard luxury. Thirteen hours felt perfect to fully enjoy every aspect without feeling rushed.
  • Food Quality: 10/10
  • Drinks Quality: 8/10
  • Cleanliness: 10/10
  • Cabin Design: 9/10
  • Seat: 8/10
  • Service: 9/10
Swiss First Class exceeded our expectations, offering truly exceptional comfort, dining, and personalized service. If you're ever presented with an opportunity to upgrade or redeem miles for Swiss First Class, especially on a long-haul route, I strongly encourage you to seize it.
To secure your own unforgettable First Class redemption, set up alerts on Roame to stay informed about availability.
Happy redeeming!