Edelweiss made this announcement:
Edelweiss is acquiring six highly efficient and low-emission Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which will join the Edelweiss fleet in a staggered manner from summer 2025.
By the end of 2026, the existing five Airbus A340-300 long-haul aircraft will be replaced and Edelweiss’ long-haul fleet will be restored to pre-Corona levels.
The Airbus A350-900 has an even greater 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 relaxed and pleasant travel experience. The spacious “Airspace” cabin of the Airbus A350-900 has wide aisles and large-capacity baggage racks. Thanks to the modern cabin, the aircraft also has a very quiet passenger compartment, which contributes to a significantly improved travel comfort. Edelweiss guests will also appreciate the improved air quality in the future. Thanks to advanced technology, you can breathe fresh air from every seat in the aircraft without draughts and enjoy the natural light coming in through the 30% larger panoramic windows.
The aircraft, previously operated by LATAM Airlines, will initially have 339 seats and offer the proven Edelweiss comfort in all classes: 246 seats in Economy Class, 63 seats in Economy Max with more legroom and greater reclining angle and 30 seats in Business Class that can be converted into a flat bed. All guests benefit from one of the most advanced in-flight entertainment systems with large, high-resolution screens and USB power at every seat. Guests in Business Class even enjoy movies and series on a 19-inch screen.
Due to worldwide material shortages and reduced maintenance & engineering capacities, the first four aircraft will initially operate in the original operator’s configuration with slight modifications to the cabin and Edelweiss design. Edelweiss will install a completely new cabin configuration with new seats and interior design at a later date. This will once again significantly enhance comfort and the travel experience for all guests. Edelweiss is investing a three-digit million sum for this.
An environmentally friendly and economical aircraft
Latest generation engines and the use of lightweight materials make the twin-engine Airbus A350-900 one of the most fuel-efficient wide-body aircraft. It consumes 25 per cent less fuel and produces 25 per cent less CO2 than the four-engine Airbus A340-300, and noise emissions are up to 50 per cent lower.
According to current planning, the first Airbus A350-900 in the Edelweiss design will arrive in Zurich in summer 2025 and will be deployed on Edelweiss’ entire long-haul network. This includes over 20 holiday destinations in North, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
