Edelweiss Air is preparing a quiet revolution in long-haul comfort. As the Swiss leisure specialist introduces the Airbus A350-900 to its fleet and readies a major cabin overhaul, travelers to North America, Africa, Asia and beyond can expect a noticeably more relaxing, spacious and passenger focused experience. From reduced cabin noise and cleaner air to upgraded seating and new connectivity, the changes are designed to make the journey feel more like an extension of your holiday than a test of endurance.
A New Flagship for Swiss Holidaymakers
The Airbus A350-900 is set to become Edelweiss Air’s new long-haul flagship from 2025, gradually replacing the airline’s aging Airbus A340-300s. The carrier is taking delivery of six A350s, restoring its wide-body fleet to pre-pandemic size and positioning Edelweiss among the operators of one of the youngest long-haul fleets in Europe by the second half of 2026.
This fleet renewal is not just about new metal on the ramp. The A350 platform itself brings a host of passenger-friendly features, from a quieter cabin to more advanced air filtration and mood lighting. For holiday-focused travelers flying from Zurich to destinations across North America, the Indian Ocean or southern Africa, the aircraft change alone will be a noticeable upgrade, even before the full cabin retrofit program comes into play.
In the initial phase, the first aircraft will enter service with a lightly modified interior inherited from the previous operator, but even this interim product offers lie-flat business class seats, personal screens at every seat and a 3-3-3 layout in economy that benefits from the A350’s extra fuselage width. Edelweiss is using this period to introduce the aircraft, train crews and establish the A350 as its workhorse for long-haul holiday routes.
Where You Will Fly the Edelweiss A350 First
The rollout of the Edelweiss A350 has been carefully choreographed around the airline’s leisure network from Zurich. The first commercial flight is scheduled within Europe, with routes such as Tenerife, Faro, Ibiza, Heraklion, Palma de Mallorca and Antalya giving crews time to become fully familiar with the aircraft before it embarks on longer sectors.
For long-haul travelers, the real milestone comes in mid May 2025, when Las Vegas becomes the first intercontinental destination to be operated by the A350 several times per week from Zurich. Shortly after, with the arrival of a second A350 in early July 2025, Vancouver joins the A350 network as a daily service during the high season. Additional aircraft will then allow Edelweiss to extend A350 operations across more of its long haul leisure network, from North America to beach and safari destinations further south.
For passengers, this means that some of the longest overnight flights in the Edelweiss schedule will move onto an aircraft specifically engineered to leave you feeling less fatigued on arrival. Whether you are heading for the casinos and shows of Nevada or the mountains and Pacific coastline of Canada, the upgrade to the A350 will be one of the most tangible improvements to the door to door experience.
Quieter, Cleaner and More Comfortable by Design
One of the most immediate benefits of the A350 is the dramatic reduction in cabin noise compared with older four engine aircraft. The latest generation Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, combined with advanced aerodynamics and extensive use of composite materials, cut noise levels significantly both outside and inside the cabin. For passengers, that translates into a calmer environment where you can sleep, read or watch a film without constantly competing with background roar.
The cabin environment itself is also being upgraded. The A350’s air system provides more frequent air exchange, improved filtration and more precise temperature control, contributing to that hard to describe but easy to feel sense of freshness on long flights. Edelweiss highlights the improved ventilation and lighting as key comfort enhancements, and these features extend across all cabin classes.
Lighting is another subtle yet powerful improvement. The A350 is equipped with programmable LED mood lighting that can simulate sunrise and sunset, complementing the aircraft’s lower cabin altitude to help reduce jet lag. When paired with enlarged panoramic windows, which let in more natural light and offer better views, the overall effect is of a more open, restful space rather than a sealed metal tube.
A Redesigned Cabin Focused on the Passenger
Edelweiss is not stopping with the inherent advantages of the A350 platform. From late 2026 the airline plans a full cabin conversion of its A350 fleet, investing a substantial sum in new seats and a refreshed interior design. While the initial aircraft will fly with an updated version of their existing seating, the longer term project aims to deliver a harmonized, contemporary product that reinforces Edelweiss’s positioning as a quality leisure carrier.
The future cabin will introduce a dedicated Premium Economy section alongside an enhanced Business Class and a more refined Economy cabin. This structure mirrors broader trends within the Lufthansa Group, of which Edelweiss is a part, and responds to growing demand from travelers who want more space and amenities without necessarily booking a full business class fare. The addition of Premium Economy alone represents a significant comfort boost for long haul holiday flights, particularly on routes where leisure travelers make up the majority of passengers.
Interior design is also a central focus. Edelweiss has already previewed a modernized livery for the A350 exterior, and the airline has indicated that the cabin will follow a similar visual direction, with a contemporary color palette and materials that emphasize calmness and warmth. For travelers, that should mean a cabin that looks and feels like a thoughtfully designed living space rather than a purely functional means of transport.
Business Class: Lie Flat Comfort for Leisure Travelers
For those at the front of the aircraft, Edelweiss’s A350 offers a dedicated Business Class cabin configured in a 2 2 2 layout. While details will evolve with the major retrofit, the existing configuration already provides fully flat beds, generous legroom and notably wide seats, making it a strong proposition for overnight flights to and from Zurich.
Lie flat seating is especially valuable for Edelweiss’s long westbound and eastbound sectors, many of which cross multiple time zones. Being able to stretch out fully, adjust your position at will and enjoy more privacy than in the open economy cabin translates directly into how rested you feel on arrival. Business Class travelers will also benefit from larger personal entertainment screens, measuring around 19 inches, as well as individual power outlets and USB ports to keep devices charged.
As Edelweiss moves toward its comprehensive cabin refurbishment, business class is expected to gain further refinements, aligning the product more closely with the evolving standards in the Lufthansa Group. For frequent travelers used to the group’s premium cabins on other carriers, the A350 rollout will make Edelweiss a more consistent and attractive option on leisure routes.
Economy Max and Economy: More Space and Better Entertainment
The bulk of Edelweiss passengers travel in the main cabin, and the A350 brings clear gains here as well. The aircraft will feature a total of 339 seats, with 63 of those designated as Economy Max and 246 in standard Economy. Both cabins adopt a 3 3 3 layout that takes advantage of the A350’s width, making each seat feel less cramped compared with older nine or ten abreast wide bodies.
Economy Max is particularly appealing for long haul leisure travelers who want extra comfort without the price tag of a premium cabin. Seats in this section come with greater seat pitch than standard economy, allowing for more legroom and easier movement during the flight. For tall passengers or those who simply prefer a more relaxed seating position, that extra space can make a significant difference on flights of eight hours or more.
In flight entertainment sees a notable upgrade across the cabin. Economy and Economy Max are fitted with personal touchscreens measuring around 9 inches, loaded with films, series, music and games. Each seat also includes a power outlet and USB port, allowing passengers to charge phones, tablets or laptops without relying on shared power points. For families heading on holiday, the combination of better screens and reliable power helps keep children engaged and devices usable from departure to arrival.
Connectivity and the Arrival of Inflight Internet
Another major comfort upgrade scheduled as part of the A350 refurbishment program is the introduction of onboard internet. Edelweiss has confirmed that inflight connectivity will be installed during the full cabin conversion from late 2026, finally bringing the airline in line with competitors that already offer Wi Fi on long haul routes.
For many travelers, the ability to stay connected at 35,000 feet has shifted from novelty to expectation. Whether you want to send a quick update to family, manage work emails on a weekday flight, or share images from your journey in real time, onboard internet changes how time is spent in the air. For leisure passengers, it can also simplify the transition on arrival, allowing hotel confirmations, transfer details and local activities to be handled well before landing.
While detailed pricing and speed tiers have yet to be announced, the decision to equip the entire A350 fleet with connectivity underscores Edelweiss’s intention to compete not just on price and schedule but on overall passenger experience. Once the installations are complete, long haul flights with Edelweiss will feel substantially more modern, especially for tech savvy travelers accustomed to being online wherever they go.
A More Sustainable Way to Reach Your Holiday
Comfort on board is increasingly tied to sustainability, and the A350’s efficiency is central to Edelweiss’s long haul strategy. The twin engine design, advanced aerodynamics and lightweight materials help the aircraft use significantly less fuel per passenger kilometer than the four engine A340s it replaces. That reduction in fuel burn translates directly into lower carbon emissions, aligning with broader efforts across the Lufthansa Group to modernize fleets and reduce environmental impact.
Noise pollution is also significantly reduced. The A350’s engines and airframe have been engineered to meet strict noise regulations, resulting in quieter departures and arrivals for communities around airports. For passengers, lower noise levels outside the aircraft usually go hand in hand with the calmer cabin conditions that make it easier to sleep, converse at normal volume and simply relax.
For travelers who are increasingly mindful of the environmental cost of flying, this combination of lower emissions and improved comfort offers a more balanced choice. While air travel will always have an impact, stepping onto a modern A350 instead of an older four engine jet represents a move in the right direction, especially when combined with carriers’ growing use of more sustainable operational practices.
What It All Means for Your Next Long Haul with Edelweiss
The introduction and planned upgrade of Edelweiss Air’s A350 fleet marks one of the most significant product improvements in the airline’s history. In the near term, passengers will see quieter cabins, fresher air, larger windows and upgraded seating across Business, Economy Max and Economy. Over the following years, the full cabin retrofit and the arrival of inflight internet will further elevate the experience, especially on flagship routes such as Zurich to Las Vegas and Vancouver.
For holidaymakers, the practical result is simple. Overnight flights should feel less tiring, entertainment will be more engaging, device charging will be easier, and choice of seating will better match different budgets and comfort needs. Whether you are traveling as a couple in Business Class, a family in Economy Max or solo in standard Economy, the new A350 based product is designed to help you arrive at your destination more rested and ready to enjoy your time away.
As the first aircraft enter service from 2025 and more routes switch over in the following seasons, Edelweiss Air’s A350 upgrades will turn what used to be just the necessary journey into a meaningful and surprisingly enjoyable part of the holiday itself.