Sally and I arrive early at Zurich’s Airport Gate B34 where the Inaugural Ceremony will take place for the C Series first commercial flight
SWISS invited
Dominique Rinderknecht, Miss Switzerland to participate in the C Series Inaugural Flight
The media photographs us in front of the beautiful C Series backdrop SWISS created for these ceremonies
The pilots are asked to pose for the media. At far right is Captain Peter Koch,
SWISS C Series Fleet Chief
Swiss Chief Commercial Officer, Markus Binkert invites me in front of
the assembled crowd and media for a presentation. He announces my
inaugural flight world record listing the B747, A380, B787 and A350.
I am asked to share my inaugural flight experiences with the audience & media and explain why joining the C Series inaugural flight is so meaningful
I am then presented with this Bombardier C Series Inaugural Flight Certificate and model of the aircraft
I am incredibly fortunate as SWISS created this beautiful one of a kind certificate and I am the only person on today’s flight to be presented an official document signed by Thomas Kluhr, SWISS CEO
Prior to general boarding of the aircraft, we are escorted out to the tarmac
where the media posed us for pictures with the aircraft
The C Series is a beautifully designed interior. Passengers universally felt the space was large and bright with great attention to detail and felt great to fly.
The cabin crew was excited to greet us onboard and provided excellent service even though many passengers and media were in the aisles during the flight
Business colleague and dear friend Peter Bernhardsgrütter was instrumental in coordinating the activities today with
He was able to join the round trip flight between Zurich and Paris
Upon arrival in Paris, another table is set up with food and drinks for those passengers that will fly the return leg back to Zurich