Edelweiss is modernizing its long-haul aircraft fleet with the acquisition of six Airbus A350-900s, this new equipment will gradually replace all existing Airbus A340-300s in the fleet, ending an era of four-engined jet aircraft.
The leisure airline brought in A340s in 2016 with the strategic plan to expand its intercontinental operations. As part of a Lufthansa Group restructuring due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the company’s two Airbus A330s were transferred to Discover Airlines (formerly Eurowings Discover) in 2021.
The first A350 is scheduled to join the fleet from the 2025 summer season. By the end of 2026, the remaining five Airbus A340-300s will be replaced and Edelweiss’ long-haul fleet will return to its pre-pandemic six units. In 2019, the airline had four A340s and two A330s active.
“The modernization of the long-haul fleet is a milestone in Edelweiss’ nearly 30-year history. Edelweiss will thus operate one of the youngest long-haul fleets in Europe from 2026 onwards,” said Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss
The Airbus A350-900 has a longer range compared to the Airbus A340-300 allowing the airline to fly non-stop to new vacation destinations directly with Switzerland. The new aircraft offers the “Airspace” cabin with wide aisles and large-capacity luggage racks.
As previously announced, the Lufthansa Group will add four Airbus A350-900s previously owned by LATAM Airlines to the Edelweiss fleet and will offer all classes of the leisure airline: 246 in Economy Class, 63 Economy Max and 30 Business Class. With the A350s, the company will also provide 7.6% more seats compared to the A340.
See also: Lufthansa Considers Acquiring Six Pre-owned Airbus A350s from LATAM and Hainan Airlines
LATAM Airlines’ original configuration of the first four aircraft will be used for initial operations, with minor modifications to the cabin and Edelweiss design. This is due to the global shortage of materials, as well as reduced engineering and maintenance capabilities. Next, the leisure airline will be installing a cabin configuration with new seats and interior design and will be investing a sum of three million euros.
“The Airbus A350-900 design sets new standards of efficiency with cutting-edge technologies and outstanding aerodynamics. It is one of the most environmentally friendly long-haul aircraft in the world,” added Bauer.
According to the current schedule, the first Airbus A350-900 with the Edelweiss design will arrive in Zurich in the summer of 2025 and will be used across the leisure airline’s entire intercontinental network. This includes more than 20 holiday destinations in North America, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
