Going on long-haul routes: Edelweiss renews its fleet with Airbus A350-900

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Edelweiss really wants to take off. Specifically, Edelweiss is purchasing six more efficient and lower-emission Airbus A350-900 aircraft. These will gradually join the fleet from summer 2025 and replace the five existing Airbus A340-300 long-haul aircraft by the end of 2026. From then on, Edelweiss’ long-haul fleet will be restored to its pre-Corona level.

The Airbus A350-900 has a longer range and offers greater comfort compared to the Airbus A340-300. The aircraft will continue to be operated by Latam Airlines until it is delivered to Edelweiss. Due to global material shortages and decreasing maintenance and conversion capacities, the first four aircraft were initially to be delivered with only slight modifications to the cabin and Edelweiss design.

Three digit million amount

At a later date, the aircraft will take off with a completely new cabin configuration, with new seats and a new interior design. According to the information obtained, Edelweiss is making a three-digit million investment for this.

Edelweiss CEO Bernd Bauer says: “The modernization of the long-haul fleet is a milestone in the almost 30-year history of Edelweiss. From 2026, Edelweiss will operate one of the youngest long-haul fleets in Europe.” An ambitious goal.

Fresh air and natural light

The Airbus A350-900 has a much longer range compared to the Airbus A340-300 and will allow new holiday destinations to be connected directly to Switzerland in the future. For guests, the new aircraft means an even more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience, the airline wrote. The spacious “Airfield” cabin of the Airbus A350-900 features wide aisles and large capacity luggage racks.

Thanks to the modern cabin, the aircraft also has a very quiet passenger compartment, which contributes to significantly better travel comfort. Edelweiss guests will also appreciate better air quality in the future. “Thanks to cutting-edge technology, you can breathe draft-free fresh air from any seat on the plane and enjoy natural light from 30 percent larger panoramic windows,” he says.

The aircraft will initially have 339 seats. 246 seats in Economy Class, 63 seats in Economy Max with more legroom and a wider recline angle, and 30 seats in Business Class that can be converted into flat beds.

Environmentally friendly and economical aircraft

“The aircraft is one of the most environmentally friendly long-haul aircraft in the world,” says Bernd Bauer. It consumes 25 percent less fuel. It produces 25 percent less CO2 than the four-engine Airbus A340-300. Noise emissions are also up to 50 percent lower, according to Edelweiss.

According to current planning, the first Airbus A350-900 of the Edelweiss design will arrive in Zurich in summer 2025 and will be used throughout the Edelweiss long-haul network. This includes more than 20 holiday destinations in North, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.

Source :Blick