Review

The programme starts with pre-flight briefing, not as in depth as in the Air Canada 777 North-Pole flight Blue-Ray, but the crew explains about ETOPS, weather and other aspects, and then it´s time for the walk-around. Captain Covolan guides us around the 340, and there is no doubt he is proud to be captain of this aircraft. After the exterior check into the cockpit! And here is where the fun begins! The crew explains, in very nice and in-depth, the cockpit preparations, going through the charts on the EFB (Electronic Flight Bag), and all the checklists. This is done in a extremely good way, and in a relaxed tone. The sound on the Blue-Ray is perfect, only some times the ATC chatter is a bit high, making it difficult to hear what the crew explains, but that is just in total a few minutes, and considering this Blue-Ray is around 4 hours long, it´s not a big deal. After all the preparation it´s time for take-off from Zurich. The picture quality is superb, just be shure to watch this on a HD TV to get the most out of the Blue-Ray! During the flight to San Fransisco, Captain Covolan and his first officer, explains, and shows, the different flight instruments in the cockpit. Of course we also get spectacular views from the scenery we pass along the route.

The landing in SFO is a challenge since the crew get informed, quite late, that the ILS is out of function, but they perform a visual landing instead. They also explain the special procedure that SFO, and some few other airports in USA with parallell runways have, called PRM Approach. And after shut-down we are invited to join some of the crew on bikes(!) around San Fransisco, where we view ,among other things, Golden Gate bridge. I am impressed with the guy filming while cycling. During the returnflight to Zurich more explantions of the cockpitsystems are given, and we also take a glimpse of the cabin service, with the meals being served, and they look mouth watering!

So in conclusion this Blue-Ray is flawless, in great quality both regarding picture quality and sound. The programme is just over 4 hours, but it is so good, times fly(pun!) and it never feels too long. The Blue-Ray costs only $30. You order it from JustPlanes website. Link is below. I warmly recommend this Blue-Ray, and looking forward to the next one, already in production!  Reviewed by FS.NORDIC.NET

Comments

The video was great, excellent blu-ray disc, and nice high quality footage! The Swiss crew were interesting, knowledgeable, and entertaining.  This is the first time I've purchased one of these types of videos. I'm not a pilot (electrical engineer, however) I really enjoyed the technical details throughout.  The pre-flight walk around was awesome. As a passenger, I'm unlikely to ever get that opportunity to be near the exterior of such an aircraft.  I was most interested in the discussion of the flight instruments while on the return trip. Happy to say I knew what KMSP was before the co-pilot aswered the captain. Used to live near and fly out of Minneapolis.  From everything I've read, the A340 is an excellent aircraft to fly in, but looks to be out of production. Might be the only chance I'll ever get to "fly" in one. The only thing I would have liked was a tour of the interior prior to passenger boarding. Maybe a peek in the crew rest area... I also really liked the San Francisco and Paris footage from the air. Having spent time in both places, seeing them from above was beautiful and brought back some good memories.  Jon Meyer, USA

Yes another great program from Just Planes and Swiss International,  this time on the A340-300 to and from San Francisco! Starting with a pre-flight briefing at Zurich with the dispatcher and crew, then a very nice walkaround by the Captain, we then watch the cockpit setup followed by the departure filmed from various cameras. We continue on across the North Atlantic, North of Iceland, over the middle of Greenland then the NW Territories of Canada over Alberta and down the US West Coast. One major highlight of this flight is the BA 747-400 visible just 1 mile to our left and only 1000 feet below after being called out by the A340's TCAS system. This is spectacular sight! After an arrival briefing, we witness the beautiful scenery over Marin county and then the San Francisco area on a very clear day, with the city, Golden Gate and Bay Bridges and SFO Airport clearly visible from high altitude. After a very scenic landing we are treated to a beautiful ground tour of San Francisco featuring the Golden Gate Bridge, Cable Cars and many other sights unique to the city. Aboard another A340 for an evening flight back to Zurich, including a very detailed tour of the cockpit and a nice presentation showing the very fancy meals service by Swiss Int'l. Following this, in the morning daylight we have beautiful views over the Channel Islands, French Coast and Paris followed by the approach and landing back at Zurich, where our very personable Captain gives us a very warm farewell. A wonderful program! A big thank you to Swiss International and Just Planes!  Greg Rowland, USA

WOW!! I am so happy to see another SWISS DVD, This one really takes the cake as the all time best in my book,It is right there with the SWISS MD11 program of a few years ago. From the first part of the DVD with the SWISS Fleet which I really enjoyed. I than watched the main program,And I was really amazed to the amount of paperwork such as weather and routing charts. Capt Covolan really explained the charts well and talked about the flight to the Flight Attendants with the rest of the Cockpit Crew. I think that is a good thing to inform the Cabin crew about the flight. The Cockpit presentation pre flight was Great! Capt Covolan and his F/Os really gave Great information on the check list prior to Push Back and engine Start Up. From Push Back and start up to Take Off, I was also very impressed with the 6 Cameras which really gave the viewer all sorts of differant views. The route was very well explaned for the flight to San Francisco. All points of the flight and Radio Com Audio was really clear as well. Seeing all the differant views en route was really nice.My favorite seat on a plane is the Window, Either behind the wings or in front of the wings. I really enjoyed the views of the other plans,I was a passenger on SWISS a few years ago and we saw a BA plane which was along side for a good while,About a mile separation. The view over Greenland is always amazing. During the time the capt was in the Crew Rest Area, The 2 F/Os really did a great job on updating the routes and explaining the Eicars Unit and communications on HF. The views over Canada were nice as well as the view of Mt St Hellen and the arrival into San Francisco,The view of the SF Bridge was nice. The landing was very well covered. I loved the tour of Frisco, Especially when everyone was on bikes.UDO, Great camera work from the bike. Liked seeing the crew on bikes as well. Well, For the return to Zurich flight, Capt Covolan and his crew gave great info before and during the flight. The Cockpit presentation was great as well,The F/O really explained the buttons and switches on the roof of the cockpit. The Approach into Zurich was nice as well.

I would like to thank SWISS and Just Planes for this fantastic video. Its 4 Hours of Great Info,Great Views and Great Crews on a Great Plane. I suggest that everyone get this Amazing DVD, It deserves an Emmy!! Great work by all. Keep up the Great Work!!   John Linder, USA

Absolutely incredible video! filming editing and music everything was just perfect! keep making videos guys ill buy every one? of them!

There isn't a detail missed during the 256mins of this awesome program. You can't help yourself from smiling and appreciating the true joy that Captain Covolan and his crew felt when they expressed how exhilarating it was flying the SFO approach!    Brent Ktytor, CANADA

I cant express how much i loved it simple amazing !!!! Blake Riley, AUSTRALIA

Purchased the Swiss 340 ZRH-SFO which is brilliant! Christoph Hunziker, SWITZERLAND

Another amazing program. I am just amazed at the picture quality of the video.   Mark Wilson, CANADA

This program is nothing but breathtaking. Great airline + unrivaled Justplanes -> Perfect program. Thank you!Daniel Roethlisberger, SWITZERLAND

Fantastic blu-ray ; I am impressed with how informative and enjoyable the program is.  Daniel Morrissey, AUSTRALIA

I have no words for describe this incredible program! Pablo Gonzalez Gonzalez, SPAIN

One word, brilliant.  Andrew Sattler, AUSTRALIA

I was very impressed yet again with this latest program! George Alves, USA

WOW!! I am so happy to see another SWISS DVD, This one really takes the cake as the all time best in my book! John Linder, USA

Excellent blu-ray disc, and nice high quality footage! Jon Meyer, USA

Amazing program!, I am really satisfied.   Edgar Mora, COSTA RICA

Absolutly wonderfull !!! One of my favorite video ....With à fantastic Swiss Crew and the fabulous discover of San Fransico ....dream travel !!  JMF

A wonderful program!    Greg Rowland, USA

I was not in the least disappointed in the content, The captain, and first officer's explaining the office buttons and switches, as well as the flight planning, was worth the whole experience of the flight. Great job JP, and thanks to Captain Covolan and crew for allowing us the privilege of riding along .  James Seals, USA

Email your comments