If you think that I had a good aviation day at Heathrow Airport yesterday, it only got better the next day, as I had a re-encounter with one of my favourite airport amenities in the world.
Airports have many amazing amenities, from workstations, to rest areas, to free showers. This only gets better if you have access to airline lounges – a-la-carte dining, bars, barista coffee, etc.. However, I have a single favourite airport amenity – specifically, that’s the observation deck at Zurich Airport (either the public one, or the one at Swiss’ Concourse E lounge).
I’m obviously biased, since I love planes. However, if you have any interest in commercial aviation whatsoever, this is an amenity that most will appreciate. In this post, I’ll introduce the amenity, as well as share a couple of tips.
The observation deck at Zurich Airport’s Concourse E
Zurich Airport has two of their “own” observation decks – Observation Deck B, and Observation Deck E. Observation Deck B is open to the public, and costs CHF 5 to enter. Meanwhile, Observation Deck E is free, though it’s airside. If you have an air ticket, I’d recommend Observation Deck E – not only is it free, though the views are so much better, since you’re close to many more widebody aircraft.
Observation Deck E is in the non-Schengen zone, so follow the signage to the E gates. If you’re flying a Schengen flight, simply tell the border control officer that you’re hoping to visit the observation deck – you’ll need a passport with unlimited entry and exit into the EU for this. (Note that you can’t do this at all airports – I’ll write a separate post about this.)
I find signage at Zurich Airport to be really good. Once you get to the E gates, not only will the signage list where the observation deck is, though you’ll also know if it’s open or closed (it opens from 8 AM until 9:30 PM, though will close if the weather isn’t good).
Signage to Observation Deck E
Head up the lift to the observation deck (there’s a set of stairs that’s hidden, as you’ll only see signage to the men’s bathroom – perhaps use the lift if you’re heading up the first time, particularly if you’re not a man). The observation deck is fairly expansive, and there’s also a small slide inside a Swiss fuselage.
Zurich Airport’s public observation deck
The views from the observation deck are awesome – you’ve got a very clear vantage point of gates E53-57, and you can also see aircraft parked in the background. On this sunny morning, I caught a glimpse of a Qatar Airways A350 headed on the morning flight to Doha.
Qatar Airways A350 at Zurich Airport
My favourite shot was probably the below one, with a Cathay Pacific A350, Edelweiss A320, American 787, Ethiopian A350 and Swiss A330 all in the same frame.
Zurich Airport’s public observation deck
You even get an awesome view of runway 10/28, and will be able to see aircraft taking off from Runway 14 as well.
I also really appreciate that the observation deck is explicitly a non-smoking zone – there are plenty of airports that have an outdoor smoking space, though I love the fact that this is explicitly branded as an observation deck (there are separate areas for smokers, some of which are also out on the terrace).
Now, I will say that the views from the public observation deck are slightly obstructed, due to the way that the airport’s ceiling is constructed. However, I still love spending time here, and enjoying the view with some fresh air. Zurich Airport also generally has obstructed views due to how the terminal is laid out, so the observation deck really is as good as it gets here.
Zurich Airport tends to have slightly obstructed views
If you have lounge access, it gets better (sometimes)
In today’s case, I had a business class ticket, which allowed me to access Zurich’s Concourse E business class lounge. While I’ve used to call this lounge one of the best hub lounges, I think that impression is a bit lost on me now. The seating is a bit monotonous and the food spread isn’t amazing, and the lounge gives Breitling showroom energy.
Swiss Business Class Lounge E Zurich Airport
There’s a single redeeming quality of the lounge that makes it one of my favourites, though. All of Swiss’ lounges at Concourse E (their business lounge, their Senator lounge, and their first class lounge) have a separate, dedicated observation deck space.
This observation deck has longer opening hours – theoretically it has the same opening hours at the lounge (which opens at 6). This meant that on this sunny morning, I was able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise outdoors, whereas I wouldn’t have been able to if just using the public observation deck:
Swiss Business Class Lounge E Zurich Airport Terrace
While I don’t find the binoculars to be that useful (and personally prefer just looking at the close up planes), it’s cool that they exist, and there’s also a nice map of the airport’s runways.
Swiss Business Class Lounge E Zurich Airport Binoculars
Seriously, this was such a cool morning, and I even bonded with a new friend in the lounge over how great these views were.
Views from the Swiss lounge observation deck
If you do have business class lounge access, I’d recommend visiting the observation deck in the lounge, as opposed to the one in the terminal:
- The observation deck is longer, so you have a bigger selection of vantage points: it’s also in the middle of the terminal, as opposed to by the end (like the public observation deck), so there are more interesting aircraft to see
- I also prefer the runway views, due to the location of the lounge
- The opening hours are longer – however, the public observation deck does face the west, so you will get great sunset views here if you’re around during sunset
- Obviously, as this is an airline lounge, you can bring a glass of sparkling wine or a coffee out here (Swiss doesn’t have a “no eating” policy on their lounge’s outdoor terrace)
Not a bad way to start a Friday morning (by the way, Swiss’ non-alcoholic sparkling wine is excellent)
There are a couple of things to take note of, though:
- The observation deck is more likely to be closed on an off/cold day – this isn’t just because of weather and safety, but also because both the lounge and the observation deck have wooden floors, so there needs to be good humidity regulation (I had a chat with the lounge attendant about this, and apparently it’s a big issue)
- The WiFi doesn’t reach the observation deck, so you wouldn’t be able to set up office there (unless you can tether)
- While not a big deal, I wish that they had some sort of padding at the seats – the seating is a bit uncomfortable, and also really “cold” to sit on in the colder months
The terrace is sometimes closed on a cold day, mostly to avoid moisture from ruining the floors of both the lounge and the terrace
Zurich Airport’s secret observation deck at Concourse A
If you’re running short on time or have EU exit limitations, Zurich Airport’s Concourse A has a terrace of its own. Technically the terrace is part of the restaurant adjacent to it, so you won’t find it marketed as much on the airport’s website. This terrace is also free to visit (you also don’t have to be a restaurant patron).
I’d say that this is a good substitute if you don’t have time to visit Concourse E, but Concourse E’s views are exponentially better if you do have the time.
Zurich Airport’s (inferior) Concourse A observation deck
Zurich Airport isn’t the only airport to have an observation deck
There are a few other airports that do have observation decks, though I think Zurich Airport’s is my favourite:
- Haneda Airport would be a close second for me, though I prefer the ability to see more parked planes up close at Zurich Airport, as well as the lack of a fence (Narita Airport also has an observation deck)
- I’ve not been to Frankfurt Airport’s observation deck, though once again there’s a fence
- A few other airports have observation decks where you can see planes take off and land (like Incheon Airport), though the view of the parked planes isn’t as good, in my opinion (I’ve also not been to many of them)
- While not an observation deck, Hong Kong Airport does have stunning views from their Sky Bridge, which I’d also rate up there as a great airport amenity
If someone knows of a great airport observation deck that I can add to the list, let me know!
Haneda Airport’s observation deck is also great, though I had to poke my iPhone camera out of a fence to take this photo (I also think the traffic at Zurich Airport is marginally more diverse)
Conclusion
Zurich Airport’s observation deck is one of my favourite airport amenities, whether you’re visiting the public section or a section within one of Swiss’ lounges. The public observation deck is more consistently open, whereas the lounge observation deck has longer opening hours when it does open, which makes for some stunning views.
I’m keen to visit some other airport observation decks, as well as hear more about others’ favourite airport amenities.
What’s your favourite airport amenity?
