Thought Iβll share about my flight to Sweden usingΒ Swiss Airlines. This airline gave me the most pre-flight anxiety ever! Were my anxious nerves unfounded? Read on!
Flying Swiss Airlines to Europe with Just 40 Minutes to Transit
Last Oct, a good ten months before my trip to Scandinavia, I purchased return tickets from Singapore to Stockholm. It was pretty much a spontaneous decision,Β as the promotion was too good to resist. Little would I have known, before I fly, I’ll develop so many worries about the airline! You bet I was well-prepared for it! The most pressing worries I had about my Swiss Airlines flights were allΒ before flying:
| Also read: My top travel tips for Stockholm! |
1st WorryΒ :Β Long Flights
My journey will be 2 segments each way:
i) Singapore to ZurichΒ (Switzerland) // 13 hours
ii) Zurich to Stockholm // 2 hours 20min
Return:
i) Stockholm to Zurich // 2 hours 25min
ii) Zurich to Singapore // 12 hours 10min
I canβt remember whether I’d noted the flight length of each leg when I was booking, but afterwards, I got nervous thinking about it. I’d mostly flew to Europe with Qatar Airways, so it’s always 7-8 hours for each segment. These days, I feel an ache in my knees if I stay seated for too long on a plane.
Iβm not sure if the ache’s psychologically induced, but I’m not taking a chance!
How I Got Ready for My Long Flight
Bought and wore compression socks on the plane.My TCM physician advised me to not use compression socks on flights, as that will deter blood flow instead.- Brought things needed for a comfortable flight:
– neck pillow
– a small pillow to hug
– an inflatable small pillow if I need it for my lower back
– ear-plugs
– eye shades
– a face scarf that blocks light out
– refillable water-bottle
– mints - Wore comfortable clothes:
– Uniqloβs AirismΒ bra tank top
– a sweater
– yoga pants
– either sneakers or low boots that I can remove easily - Strategized my first flight’s seat to be an aisle seat in the middle section of the plane (Boeing plane with 3-4-3 seat arrangement. That way, I’ll only need to stand up for one person instead of two. And also, I can stand up, take a walk and have a stretch anytime I want!
- Filled up my water bottle after security scans, before boarding the plane. The air is dry, stay hydrated.
- Did simple yoga stretches before boarding the plane.

2nd Worry: Tight Connections
I’ve only 40β45min to transit between flights at Zurich’s airport.
40 minutes was the time from the first legβs scheduled landing time to the next legβs take-off time, which in my opinion should be defined as “some kind of madness“. How am I going to make it? What if the first plane is delayed? Or if the airport is huge? What happens if I lose my way?
How I Prepared Ahead:
- Checked with Swiss Airlines via email about the short connection. An agent replied that theyβll protect my rights because it was one through booking, not separate bookings. Which means to say, if I miss the connecting flight due to the airlineβs delay,Β they’ll guarantee my next flight at no extra fees.
- Went to check up the next flights’ time should I miss my connecting flight, so I know how many hours I need to spend at the airport if I reallyΒ missed the flight.
- Paid to book an aisle seat towards the front, so I could leave the plane in the shortest time possible. Although Swiss Air isnβt a budget airline, you cannot preselect your seat during booking. Youβll have to pay more for each booked seat per segment (S$42) or choose your seat when online check-in opens 23 hours before the flight.I didnβt want the risk, so I reserved a seat for the very first flight (from Singapore to Zurich).
- Packed 2 bags:
i) handbag with essentials like passport, wallet & things I need on flight β this will go under the seat;
ii) backpack goes into the overhead compartment. In this way, I could put all the things I needed on the plane back into the handbag before landing, grab my backpack, and deplane.
3rd Worry: Delayed/Lost Luggage
FromΒ Swiss Airlinesβ Facebook Page, I read plentyyyy of Visitor Posts complaining about delayed / lost luggages by passengers. Of course, when an airline flies so many flights internationally at any one time, the probability is something to be noted. However, a few months before me, my friend flew to Manchester with Swiss Airlines with a tight connection just like mine. Her luggage was delayed, only delivered to her at night.
Stockholm will be less than 10 degrees when IΒ arrive.
I canβt take a risk and arrive in Stockholm without sufficient warm clothing. So I contemplated packing a smaller cabin suitcase for my clothing. And wondered how it’ll be like to struggle with two suitcases pulling them over Europeβs cobblestone flooring. Let’s not forget that many places in Europe do not have lifts. I’m flying alone, will IΒ make it?
How I preparedΒ ahead:
- Put a piece of paper with my contact details inside my check-in luggage in case my bag tagΒ fall off.
- Take photos of my checked-in luggage. Photographic information might be useful for quick identification should my luggage get shipped elsewhere.
- Finally decided on a backpack with sufficient warm clothing, a winter jacket and essentials to last me for the day at least. If my luggage is delayed and reached me at night, Iβll still be fine. Anything longer than that andΒ Iβll be screwed.
The Actual Flights: Flying from Singapore to Stockholm
Flight 1: Singapore toΒ Zurich
The Flight
The flight was smooth. It was a full flight on a Boeing777. Flight crewβs service was ok, so was theΒ in-flight food (they served dinner at 1am). I know, this is the most generic flight review ever you’ll read on a travel blog, ha!
I didnβt really sleep though. It didn’t help that the lady beside me kept chatting (flirting o.o)Β to her new friend on her other side in a foreign language (managed to solve this problem with my ear-plugs). She also kept nudging/knocking onto me with her elbow and Iβll open my eyes thinking she needed to get out of her seat, but she didnβt! She was just being unmindful about her surroundings, sheesh.
The Rush After Landing
The plane landed on time, but everyone was in a rush because it seemed that many people also had short connections.
I got off the plane, checked the connection gate number, had my bags and myself go through security scanning (my bags raised alerts so they had to do further quick checks). Was pretty dismayed to realize I had to take a fast train to another side of the terminal, go through customs (thank you Zurich Airportβs customs officers though for efficient and fuss-free customs). Then, worrying I’ll be late, off I rannnnn to my gate, lol!
Very relieved I made it, it was 10 minutes before take-off. Only one other person boarded after me;Β we were the last passengers.
Flight 2: Zurich to Stockholm

It was a pretty empty flight. With 3 seats to myself, I managed to catch a power nap.Β The crew was cheerful and we were served snacks and drinks.

Arriving in Stockholm: Did My Luggage Arrive?
Yes, my luggage arrived with me!
It felt like a miracle, what with having to take the train at Zurich’s airport and all, but I was really amazed to see my checked baggage appear on the carousel when I reached Stockholm!Β Thank you Swiss Airlines and your cargo handlers for the efficiency!
Going Home: Flying from Stockholm to Singapore
Flight 3: Stockholm toΒ Zurich
Iβd chosen my seat during online check-in and chose a middle seat towards the front of the plane, knowing Iβll need to rush out once the plane touch down. At Arlanda Airport (Stockholm), it was crowded at the gate. The flight was delayed (#omg will it turn into my nightmare) and was a full flight. I took snapshots of the crowd and boarding time so Iβll have evidence that the flight was delayed (just in case!).
The Flight
A very pleasant Swiss lady sat on the aisle seat next to me and we had good chats on the flight! Again we were served snacks and hot drinks. Flight crew was prompt and with good attitudes too.
Despite the delayed take-off, we managed to reach Zurich in good time. Before landing, flight crew announced the gate numbers for connecting flights, and reminded passengers to let those rushing for connecting flights to leave first. I really appreciate these gestures!
The Rush After Landing
Upon landing, my new Swiss friend, who had been as concerned about my connecting flight, quickly got out of her seat so I could leave. Thank you lady!
Flight 4: Zurich toΒ Singapore
Again, I had to go through security-scanning and customs, take the fast train, and runnnn to my connecting gate. This time, the distance was significantly longer. It was 10+pm and Zurich Airport was quiet. I made it in good time; they were boarding passengers when I reached the gate.
Empty Flight β My Best Flight Ever!
The flight was very empty. I’d chosen an aisle seat in the middle section, not knowing the flight will be empty. The best part was when the crew announced cheerfully that boarding is completed. I got the whole row to myself, whoop whoop! My first time thisΒ lucky!
Flight crew were obviously in good moods and I enjoyed excellent service. I also laid down and slept for at least 7 hours straight, waking up for movies and breakfast #BLISS
Will I fly Swiss Airlines again?
Yes.
After this trip, I have more confidence in flying with Swiss Air in the future (but I’ll still strategize it the way I did β book seat ahead, be prepared for delayed luggage.) Iβd mentally prepared for the worst, but Swiss Air managed to show me that they take pride in their work and will do their best. Also, I learned how I should always be preparedΒ no matter what airline I’m taking.
Thank you Swiss Airlines!
Tips to flying long-haul flights with tight connections!
- If possible, book or choose aisle seats near the front, for you to deplane quickly, even if you need to pay to book the seat.
- If you didn’t book a seat, check in online as soon as it opens. Download your airline’s app and switch on its notification function. The app gives you easy access to your booking. Switch on email notifications so you’ll be alerted to check in if the airline has an emailing system to email you once online check-in opens (airlines like SIA and SAS do it).
- Transiting: Be prepared for security-scanning procedures even before your first flight ends. No water in bottle, no metallic objects on you, etc.
- Proceed to the connection gate immediatelyΒ once you leave the plane. You can go to the toilet on the next plane.
- Don’t book separate airlines with tight connections. If you miss your second flight, it’s a huge hassle which you don’t really want to deal with.
How about you? Have you taken Swiss Airlines before?Β Or did any ‘bad airline’ give you good experiences instead?
Flew: May 2017
Check out my Scandinavia posts!
β’ 48 hours in Stockholm
β’ 10 travel tips to know before you visit Stockholm
β’ 6 days in Norway β How much did it cost?
β’ Hiking Pulpit Rock in Norway
β’ Underestimating Mt Ulriken β Bergen’s highest mountain
β’ 12 photos to inspire you to visit Norway
6 comments
Girl…! You got lucky… I’ve not had much luck lately with my connecting flights. Flights have been delayed leaving Sing, leaving me 30 mins to run across Doha Airport – I just made my flight to Casablanca. But.. My bags didn’t. Or that time there was a strike in JFK and my flight to London was delayed. I missed my connecting flight to Singapore. The other time, I just about made my flight to Sing but needless to say, my bags didn’t. Sigh. I’ve not had much luck lately with my bags making the flights…! And oh! I was flying BA or Qatar.
Wow, Julie, and Doha Airport is hugeeee! At least you made it! You need to do some prayers for your bags before checking them in next time lololll #JustJoking. What happened when you missed your flight though? Did you have to buy a new ticket at a high price? Hope you had travel insurance. I’ve never missed flights before but it’ll be scary to think of paying atrocious prices for last-minute flights!
I had an hour for my flight from SIN to Arlanda via Frankfurt. That airport was really huge and I made it to my gate in time for boarding. I flew Lufthansa. I don’t think I will do that route again. I prefer CPH airport, it’s smaller and easier to navigate.
I’ve flown Swiss a few times in Continental Europe and had good service – it’s probably one of my favorite continental European airlines.
I have had a luggage delayed from Paris to Geneva and it was delivered to my school in the mountains that night. That was really annoying because the driver only spoke French.
Thankfully you made it for the connecting flight! This experience made me wonder why they planned such tight connections, what if there were elderly people or families with small children, it would have been more challenging to make it. Oh well.
The airline is obligated to send the delayed luggage to wherever you are indeed. It’s nice that they sent it to your school in the mountains, but I imagine it must have been quite a big hassle for you settling it all with language problems! Well done Alaine =)
40mins?! I could never make it with the kid in tow – but sounds like it was a good adventure on its own for you already! π
I was thinking of that β families with kids and also the elderly, etc β when I was making a dash for the connecting flights, like, how will they manage?!? Hopefully, the airlines will have longer connections next time!