Zurich Airport: Difference between revisions

Construction on T2 will close the Obs deck from end of October 2008; only RJs are parked around T2 nowadays.
(, Replaced: categorynoregion . categorybox , typos fixed: european → European (2), Sao Paulo → São Paulo, aswell → as well AWB)
(Construction on T2 will close the Obs deck from end of October 2008; only RJs are parked around T2 nowadays.)
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<table>
<table>
<tr><td width="100" valign="top">Terminal 1 (A)</td><td width="75">&nbsp;</td><td width="500">This terminal is mostly used by Swiss. Many longhaul flights (A332/A343) are being handled here as well as some European flights (A32X, RJ). Besides Swiss sometimes other European carriers can be found here, for example British Airways.<br>
<tr><td width="100" valign="top">Terminal 1 (A)</td><td width="75">&nbsp;</td><td width="500">This terminal is mostly used by Swiss for its European destinations using A32X and ARJ. All longhaul flights by Swiss (A332/A343) have moved to Terminal E. Some other European carriers can be found here, for example British Airways.<br>
<u>Best view from:</u> Spotting Points <b>1</b> and <b>2</b><br><br></td><td width="240" rowspan="2"></td></tr>
<u>Best view from:</u> Spotting Points <b>1</b> and <b>2</b><br><br></td><td width="240" rowspan="2"></td></tr>


<tr><td valign="top">Terminal 2 (B)</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>Terminal 2 was closed when Terminal E was opened and the finger docks were demounted. Now this terminal is mostly being used to park longhaulers which stay for a longer time. For example South African Airways A342, Malaysian B777, or the MNG A300F. On the southern side there are new stands for regional aircrafts (CRJs, ERJs, ...) which are served by bus. (Lufthansa, Alitalia, Air France)<br>
<tr><td valign="top">Terminal 2 (B)</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>Terminal 2 was closed when Terminal E was opened and the finger docks were demounted. In recent years the interior was used for events, but a complete reconstruction is starting in order to meet criteria for Schengen/non-Schengen traffic. As of Summer 2008, no more longhaul aircraft are being parked at Terminal 2 during the day. Due to a new fence erected for the construction work, only regional aircraft from LX, LH and AF are being parked next to Terminal 2; those longhaul aircraft that used to be parked here throughout the morning now use the cargo apron on the opposite side of runway 16/34.
Terminal 2 will be shortened in order to make space for a dual taxiway and will receive an additional level in order to seperate arriving from departing passengers.
 
Note, that from end of October 2008 onwards, the observation deck on Terminal 2 is scheduled to be closed for the time of reconstruction. The airport is said to provide enhanced access to the observation deck on Terminal E by bus (details to follow in time).  
From what was disclosed by local staff, a observation deck will be part of the remodelled Terminal 2, but likely it will be enclosed in glass.
<u>Best view from:</u> Spotting Point <b>1</b><br><br></td></tr>
<u>Best view from:</u> Spotting Point <b>1</b><br><br></td></tr>


<tr><td valign="top">Terminal E (Midfield)</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td width="840" colspan="2">The terminal opened in 2003 is the point where all longhaul flights of foreign airlines are handled. (Emirates, Singapore, Malaysian, United, American, Delta, Continental, Air Canada, Korean, South African, JAL). Also there are some longhauls of Swiss (mostly to the USA) as well as most European carriers here.<br>
<tr><td valign="top">Terminal E (Midfield)</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td width="840" colspan="2">The terminal opened in 2003 is the point where all longhaul flights are handled. (Swiss, Emirates, Singapore, Malaysian, United, American, Delta, Continental, Air Canada, Korean, JAL). Gates are also used by charter airlines (Edelweiss, Belair, Air Berlin, ...).<br>
<u>Best view from:</u> Spotting Point <b>2</b>, but only the aircraft on the western side of the terminal which is about 1/3 of all aircrafts.<br><br></td></tr>
<u>Best view from:</u> Spotting Point <b>2</b>, but only the aircraft on the western side of the terminal which is about 1/3 of all aircrafts.<br><br></td></tr>


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Since terminal 2 has been shut down there isn't so much action anymore - nevertheless the observation deck remains an excellent spotting point, for example to watch the outbounds on rwy16.
Since terminal 2 has been shut down there isn't so much action anymore - nevertheless the observation deck remains an excellent spotting point, for example to watch the outbounds on rwy16.
The entrance fee is 2 francs, the location is open from 08.00-21.00 in the summer (27.3.-31.10) and 09.00-18.00 in the winter (1.11.-26.3.)
The entrance fee is 2 francs, the location is open from 08.00-21.00 in the summer (27.3.-31.10) and 09.00-18.00 in the winter (1.11.-26.3.)
At the entrance to the observation desk there is a safety check like for normal passengers. Tickets can be bought in the kiosk right beside the entrance.
At the entrance to the observation desk there is a safety check like for normal passengers, but there are no restrictions for liquids. Tickets can be bought in the kiosk right beside the entrance.
[http://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/ZRH/?ID_site=1&le=2&d=cnt/ATRP/en/trp_terrassen.asp&sp=de&u=1&t=Terrassen&ID_level1=6&ID_level2=17&a2=17 Official homepage of the observation deck]
[http://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/ZRH/?ID_site=1&le=2&d=cnt/ATRP/en/trp_terrassen.asp&sp=de&u=1&t=Terrassen&ID_level1=6&ID_level2=17&a2=17 Official homepage of the observation deck]


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When planning the new terminal they seem to have thought of the visitors and included an observation desk. This one is located on the western end of the roof, and you have access to about 1/3 of the terminal.<br>
When planning the new terminal they seem to have thought of the visitors and included an observation desk. This one is located on the western end of the roof, and you have access to about 1/3 of the terminal.<br>
This observation desk can only be reached by bus departing from the obs-deck terminal 2 (Point 1) on Wednesdays (13.15-16.45) and on the weekend (11.45-16.45) every 30 minutes. Adolescents (6-16 years) have to pay 2 franks for a ticket, adults 4 franks. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office on the observation deck Terminal 2 (point 1)<br>
This observation desk can only be reached by bus departing from the obs-deck terminal 2 (Point 1) on Wednesdays (13.15-16.45) and on the weekend (11.45-16.45) every 30 minutes. Adolescents (6-16 years) have to pay 2 franks for a ticket, adults 4 franks. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office on the observation deck Terminal 2 (point 1)<br>
On this observation deck you have a great view on foreign heavies and you are nearer to dparting Rwy28. But you have an excellent view on Rwy16/34!<br> [http://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/ZRH/?ID_site=1&le=2&d=cnt/ATRP/en/trp_terrassen.asp&sp=de&u=1&t=Terrassen&ID_level1=6&ID_level2=17&a2=17 Official Homepage]<br><br>
On this observation deck you have a great view on foreign heavies and you are nearer to departures on Rwy28, although you might be facing into the sun. Furthermore, you have an excellent view onto Rwy16/34!<br> [http://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/ZRH/?ID_site=1&le=2&d=cnt/ATRP/en/trp_terrassen.asp&sp=de&u=1&t=Terrassen&ID_level1=6&ID_level2=17&a2=17 Official Homepage]<br><br>
<font size="-1"><u>Getting there:</u> Get to point 1, buy a ticket and do a bus-ride.<br>
<font size="-1"><u>Getting there:</u> Get to point 1, buy a ticket and do a bus-ride.<br>
<u>Equipment:</u> Quite a large area, equipped with vending machines and toilets<br>
<u>Equipment:</u> Quite a large area, equipped with vending machines and toilets<br>
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Because of Zurich being quite an important international HUB there are some interesting planes around waiting to be spotted.
Because of Zurich being quite an important international HUB there are some interesting planes around waiting to be spotted.
Besides the big European carriers which usually send their standard medium equipment to Zurich, many big carriers from other continents can be seen here arriving with their heavies. Some of these are:
Besides the big European carriers which usually send their standard medium equipment to Zurich, many big carriers from other continents can be seen here arriving with their heavies. Some of these are:
American, Continental, Delta, Emirates, JAL, Malaysian, Singapore, South African, Thai, United. In addition to that you have the Swiss lognhaul-fleet (9 A332 + 9 A343) as well as the heavies of local charter airlines Edelweiss (1 A332) and Belair (1 B763) which you don't see that often in Europe.
American, Continental, Delta, Emirates, JAL, Malaysian, Singapore, Thai, United. In addition to that you have the Swiss lognhaul-fleet (9 A332 + 9 A343) as well as the heavies of local charter airlines Edelweiss (1 A332) and Belair (1 B763) which you don't see that often in Europe.
To be up to date in terms of traffic the best thing is to have a look at the official online timetable which even displays the registrations!
To be up to date in terms of traffic the best thing is to have a look at the official online timetable which even displays the registrations!


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