Swiss holiday airline Edelweiss will gradually transport six Airbus A350s starting in April 2025 (Travelnews reports). At the same time, it is adding new long-haul destinations to its route network. From the summer 2025 flight schedule, Edelweiss will fly to the destinations Seattle in the United States and Halifax in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, the airline announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
Seattle is served directly from Zurich every Monday and Saturday from June to September. From July to early October, the route to Halifax also runs directly from Zurich on Thursdays and Sundays. The new destinations will initially not be served by the A350, but by aircraft from the existing fleet. Patrick Heymann, Chief Commercial Officer of Edelweiss, talks about the expanded offering: “The new travel destinations offer excellent combination options for individual travellers. They also fit well into our flight schedule.”
Seattle: Vibrant metropolis surrounded by natural wonders
Seattle, the metropolis in the Pacific Northwest, captivates with a combination of urban charm and impressive nature. Known for the iconic Space Needle, the vibrant Pike Place Market, and its fascinating art and music scene, Seattle offers a variety of experiences.
The Seattle area is home to a breathtaking natural landscape. Attractions like Olympic National Park, the majestic Cascade Range, and the picturesque shorelines of Puget Sound make this region a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Seattle is also a great starting point for a road trip. Whether you’re traveling along the spectacular West Coast to California or Yellowstone National Park, Seattle is your gateway to a world of adventure and spectacular nature.
Halifax: Historic Port City and Gateway to Atlantic Canada
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is known for its rich history and vibrant cultural scene. The city offers a variety of attractions, including the historic Citadel, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and the picturesque waterfront.
As the perfect base for exploring the province of Nova Scotia, Halifax offers access to an impressive array of natural beauty. From the stunning hiking trails of Cape Breton Highlands National Park to idyllic beaches and charming fishing villages, the region offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
As the fall season comes to a close, the forests turn from golden yellow to dark red, giving the landscape a very distinctive character. Atlantic Canada as a whole impresses with its breathtaking landscapes, maritime culture and delicious cuisine based on fresh seafood.
Flights to Seattle and Halifax can now be booked via the Edelweiss website and all usual sales channels. With the new holiday destinations, the Swiss holiday airline’s offering in North America increases to seven destinations: in the United States, Edelweiss continues to fly to Denver, Las Vegas and Tampa Bay (Florida); in Canada, to Calgary and Vancouver.
Fleet gets a new paint job
With the introduction of the new Airbus A350, Edelweiss is modernizing the look of its fleet. The unmistakable edelweiss flower continues to be emblazoned as a logo on the tail fin. The colors blue, white and yellow are retained, but the contours of the flower are kept finer, making it appear more modern. Thanks to the enlarged red area, one leaf of the edelweiss flower now extends all the way to the fuselage of the aircraft.
The edelweiss is visible inside the so-called sharks on the wingtips, making it a popular photo subject for passengers on board. The striking red still ensures a high recognition value. In the future, the red surface of the vertical stabilizer (tail fin) will extend into the fuselage of the aircraft and curve upwards. Like the movement of a wave, this curved shape is picked up from the nose of the aircraft.
“In addition to the six Airbus A350s, the existing Airbus A320 fleet will also be painted step by step with the adapted design,” says Nina Wach, Head of Brand Management and Marketing Communications at Edelweiss. “However, this always takes place during the repainting that is already planned and will take place in the coming years.”
The first of six Airbus A350s is currently in a shipyard in the Irish city of Shannon, where it will receive the new livery. Modifications to the aircraft’s interior will be made over the coming months until it takes Edelweiss passenger routes for the first time in spring 2025.
Blue dominates the Airbus A350 cabin
For the time being, the existing Airbus A350 seats will be used, which will be completely redesigned in the second half of 2026. There are 30 seats available in business class. Economy Max has 63 seats with more pitch and Economy Class has 246 seats. The total of 339 seats are upholstered in Edelweiss blue fabric.
Economy Class and Economy Max feature a 3-3-3 configuration, Business Class a 2-2-2 configuration. According to Edelweiss, the most striking features of business class are the greater seat pitch, the generous legroom and the extraordinary width of the seats, which can be positioned fully flat for sleeping.
There are 9-inch screens installed in Economy and Economy Max and 19-inch screens in Business Class. All seats are equipped with power and USB port.