Restaurant RUNWAY 34

20 years in the air. The story tells of the initiator Reto Seipel - Film reel!

The idea

An old - perhaps not quite so old 😉 - idea that originated during postings abroad as a Swissair pilot in the 90s.

Experiential dining

It must be possible to offer experiential dining in Switzerland too! And with the theme of "aviation". But how?

The ideal comrade

A Swissair colleague introduced me to the adventurous Stefan Hunziker – a chef, hotelier and trustee in equal measure – the ideal prerequisites for this crazy project!

We need a plane!

The core of the idea was a really big propeller aircraft from the 1950s. After a worldwide search, an Ilyushin 14, which was in Moscow, turned out to be the ideal fit.

Location search

It was clear that the project had to be realised at Zurich Airport, Switzerland's most important hub. Due to the size of the aircraft and the experience of flight operations as part of the flight experience world, the location had to be as close as possible to a runway.

Building = Hangar

The aircraft and the guests need a roof over their heads – naturally in the form of a 1950s-style arched hangar. With our Il-14's wingspan of 32 metres, that would be a very, no, too grand building 🙁

The ingenious solution

My little brother Andri, an architect, had found the brilliant solution in no time at all...

Two celestial bodies

The arched hangar over the aircraft fuselage, and transversely to this, a cubic glass structure over the wings. This preserved a cosy sense of space within the hangar, and in the wing areas there were four usable compartments with different functions.

You're mad!

Initial scepticism soon gave way to incredible goodwill and enormous support from all involved parties, thanks to many good arguments and infectious enthusiasm for the project. Only the flyby of our aircraft proved to be a severe test – you can read the thrilling account of it in our Inflight Magazine...

All's well that ends well!

On 26.6.2005, our Ilyushin 14 finally landed safely on runway 28 in Zurich. It was taken directly to the hangar and SRTechnics prepared it for its use in the restaurant.

Record construction time

No sooner had the aircraft been placed on the foundation than the hangar was built around the Il-14 in record time.

Ready for take-off

In October 2005, our Runway 34 was ready for take-off.

Huge media coverage

The rollout of Switzerland's first flying experience restaurant delighted the media. Most notably, Swiss Television reported on the opening of our restaurant in "Schweiz aktuell".

Sensational start

Thanks to the widespread coverage, we had a vertical take-off that pushed us all to our limits.

Aviatic Spirit

A vitally important component of the concept, and central to an authentic flight experience in our restaurant, is the genuine "aviatic spirit" that the cabin crew bring with them. We were fortunate to secure Yvonne Weber, a Swissair Maître de Cabine, as our managing director.

Reinforcement in the cockpit

In 2006, with Tina Soltermann, a true hospitality professional, we found the ideal addition to Yvonne.

Best on-board cuisine

Felix Berini, who was already there at the opening of Runway 34, continues to ensure culinary highlights in our restaurant with his keen sense for diverse and authentic international cuisine.

Retrofit

The continuously high utilisation necessitated adjustments just one year after opening, particularly in the kitchen. A more powerful, self-cleaning ventilation ceiling was one of these.

Innovation Award

The great success of our start-up was recognised, among other things, with the Innovation Award from the Opfikon Business Association.

Innovation - Part of the concept

If you want to stay in the air, you need forward momentum - standing still is not an option. True to this credo, we continue to invent new features to this day to make the flying experience even more intense for our passengers. In 2007, we introduced our popular in-flight magazine.

The Red Baron

In the same year, we opened our outdoor bar, an old converted airfield fire engine. The name, of course, also has an aviation-related double meaning: Manfred von Richthofen, known as "The Red Baron," was a famous pilot in World War I.

The Edelweiss Playground Flyer

During the renovation of Terminal B at Zurich Airport, the Edelweiss playground aircraft lost its spot and, thanks to good relationships, found its new home with us. It was inaugurated in style by an EDW crew.

New cockpit crew members

In 2009, we received great reinforcement to the team. Sonja Rasehorn and Daniel Fleischer did, and still do (Sonja is still with us!), a great deal for our Runway 34.

Our first image film

5th Anniversary 5 years in the air, without major turbulence or problems

The anniversary celebration

The anniversary was celebrated with lectures and a big party over two days in October 2010.

The Anniversary Crew

Ensured an unforgettable time

Handover of Controls

In 2011, our captain, Yvonne Weber, was seized by a great wanderlust and left Runway 34 with a smile and a tear, heading for SWISS, where she could once again "properly" take to the skies. Tina Soltermann took over the "controls".

New highlights in the hangar

We built a mobile buffet from a Mirage auxiliary tank, and thanks to a cabin conversion on an Edelweiss A330, we acquired business class seats that remain very popular with our passengers to this day.

Souvenir shop

To beautifully present our growing range of Runway 34 souvenirs, we had an elegant souvenir shop built.

New offices

The need to handle more administration on-site led to the ventilation systems being relocated to an extension, thus freeing up office space.

New coffee machines

After 7 years of continuous operation, it was time to install new, state-of-the-art coffee machines.

Company vehicles

After careful consideration and a good offer, we were able to provide company vehicles to our cockpit crew - a clear win-win situation!

Marketing offensive

While Runway 34 quickly gained recognition in the local area, we also wanted to reach the rest of Switzerland. We were present at all air shows in Switzerland with a branded truck.

Overnight party

A very successful party format — from airliners for airliners — found the ideal venue with Runway 34. Three times in a row, from 2013 onwards, up to 1000 guests attended these cool parties.

The Sputnik Bar

To brighten up the only dark corner in the building, we developed the Sputnik Bar: a ceiling light, meticulously modelled on the first Russian satellite 'Sputnik' (1957), brought light to the dark corner.

Multipurpose hall

Due to high demand for larger premises, we developed a very exciting project for a multi-purpose hall on the neighbouring plot. Due to the limited usability period of the FZAG, the project could not be realised.

Hotel Project

Another requirement was nearby accommodation. The aim was to create a unique hotel concept from a giant AN-22 in combination with modular rooms. The limited period of use prevented its implementation here too.

A Culinary World Tour

Foreign countries are repeatedly featured culinarily. Here our galley crew can pull out all the stops, and the cabin crew also gives their all to transport the passengers entirely to a foreign land.

May we have your attention please!

Another highlight that clearly enhances the flight experience for our guests was, and still is, our safety demonstration. The slightly adapted content and text of our demonstration definitely brings a smile to people's faces!

A roof for the smokers

We needed a roof for our smokers. We solved this task in our own way. A Mirage lllS, which was standing at Geneva Airport and had to be moved, was to become our roof!

Take the Mirage...

... dismantle and load them ...

... wash them off ...

... reassemble them ...

... and place it on the pedestal - the smoking shelter is ready!

Mirage opening

With all the many helpers and invited guests, the Mirage was solemnly inaugurated in the summer of 2013.

Parachutes as parasols

The shading of our terrace was also very unusual. Disused parachutes from the Swiss national parachuting team were an absolute eye-catcher and provided shade for several summers.

Quick-Lunch

To offer our lunchtime guests swift yet enjoyable dining, we developed the Quick-Lunch. Fantastic food served on an original Edelweiss tray (including Biberli!) became a public success.

Flight simulators

The idea of expanding our flight experience world with flight simulators came to us very early on. However, it wasn't until 2014 that everything came together so that we could embark on this project.

One and suddenly four simulators!

Initially conceived on a small scale, this project developed very dynamically. Thanks to various external offers, we were able to realise a veritable simulator building with four exclusive simulators.

A real PC-7!

Thanks to good relations with the Dübendorf Aviation Museum, we have the world's only simulator built from a real PC-7.

The black box

Also unmissable from the outside and a real eye-catcher - our Simacademy!

Ideal layout

Thanks to the generous space, the Sim-Academy is suitable for both individual sessions and group events. This, in combination with our Runway 34, is unique worldwide!

25 Years of the PC-7 Team

It was a great honour and a pleasure that the PC-7 Team celebrated its 25th anniversary with us in the same year. The signatures of the team members on the wing of our PC-7 serve as a reminder of the successful anniversary celebration.

10th anniversary

Anniversary celebration with an airshow

On 4 September 2015, we were able to celebrate an unforgettable anniversary with all our friends and supporters. With excellent flying weather, the PC-7 Team and the Super Connie honoured us with numerous fly-overs. The enthusiasm was immense!

The PC-7 Team

In the "Diamond" formation.

The Super Connie

Low flying over our Runway 34.

The Holy Grill

Thanks to our good relationship with the airport, we were allowed to apply for the successor to the old helicopter grill at the heliport. And with our idea of repurposing a real large helicopter into a grill, we were awarded the contract.

Mi-8

We opted for the Russian Mi-8 helicopter, which is built in large numbers. We found one in Riga. A company specialising in this type expertly renovated a decommissioned Mi-8 from 1973.

As new!

Our Mi-8 is being repainted.

By low-loader across Europe Our helicopter was dismantled and transported by road to Switzerland...

.unloaded.

.modified.

... and reassembled

The Heligrill delighted young and old alike and perfectly complemented the Spotterhill at the heliport.

Flying4

Daniel Fleischer was very active in selling our products and also put together packages with other attractions around the airport. To further support these efforts, the event agency Flying4 was founded.

Seminars with flight simulator

Reto Seipel, initiator of Runway 34 and an airline pilot, has been using the ideal setup offered by Runway 34 and Sim Academy for seminars since 2018. The aim is to make pilots' know-how regarding teamwork, communication, and decision-making accessible to other industries.

Great learning effect

What has been learned in theory can be immediately applied and practised in tailored simulator exercises.

70 Years Zurich Airport

In 2018, the airport celebrated its anniversary with a public festival. Runway 34 and the Sim Academy also helped to provide a lasting experience for the many thousands of guests on the apron.

Reception of the ice hockey national team

In the same year, the national hockey team won the silver medal and were met with jubilation by a large fan base.

Zürich Airport Region

In 2019, we joined this most important business network in the area.

Mirage-Smoker

Another unique project. From the afterburner section of the Mirage engine, with the support of specialists, we built a very well-functioning smoker, which is very popular with our galley crew and also with guests.

Pandemic and lockdown

As with all catering businesses, the Corona period was a dark chapter, which we weathered with only a black eye, thanks to the tireless efforts of Stefan Hunziker and his team.

Presentation_Jubi20_Adi

Welcome to the team Adrian Fürst

15th anniversary

Unfortunately, we were unable to celebrate our 15th anniversary due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Necessity is the mother of invention!

Due to Corona, air travel was hardly possible anymore. This gave us the idea of offering virtual journeys for smaller groups here in our restaurant. Exciting talks from distant places, culinarily accompanied to match: A Taste of Far Away, or The Wanderlust Dinner was born!

Diverse topics

The thematic offerings of the Wanderlust Dinners were very diverse and were very well received by the guests. The media also showed keen interest.

Top-class speakers

Many top speakers were unable to perform due to Corona and were happy to take the opportunity to speak with us.

Heligrill always open

Our Holy Grill was exempt from the lockdown, allowing us to keep a large proportion of our staff on board, albeit with reduced working hours. A huge advantage for the restart, as it later turned out.

Cyclone over Rümlang

On the night of 12 July 2021, a veritable cyclone swept over Rümlang, leaving a trail of destruction. Our heligrill was also massively affected. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the heli – thanks to its robust Russian construction – did not suffer irreparable damage.

Phoenix from the ashes

Just two weeks after the storm, the helicopter was back up and quickly repaired. Once the airport had also completed the necessary repairs to its infrastructure, operations could resume.

75 Years Zurich Airport

The first major post-Corona event in 2023 was the airport's anniversary. As the food concept for the celebration was changed at short notice and the surrounding catering businesses were no longer involved, the Zurich Airport region celebrated extensively with us.

Smoker's Lounge Revival

After the cigar hype had already noticeably died down before Corona, demand for Corona surprisingly increased again. We reacted immediately and put our Il-14 Smoker Lounge back into operation.

The Holy Grill must go!

As an objection was raised against the airport's plan to expand the permanent location of the heliport, and construction work in Zone West continued, the heliport had to be moved – temporarily next to Runway 34.

Seize opportunities

A young events team approached us last year with the idea of holding a day rave party next to Runway 34. We lent a hand, and the party was a complete success – more to come!

Rebranding

With the ever-changing demands, particularly on the website, we spent last year intensively working on a rebranding of Runway 34 and its associated businesses (Sim Academy, Heligrill, Flying4, and Flying Catering). The new image launches in our anniversary year!

20th anniversary

This time it's a celebration!

Lots planned...

Prepare to be surprised!

That's not all, folks!

We still have lots of ideas – that's enough for the next 20 years, for sure 😉