Swiss' first Airbus A350 landed at Zurich Airport today, Thursday. Three pilots ferried the brand-new aircraft with the Swiss registration number "HB-IFA" directly from the Airbus factories in Toulouse. It touched down on the runway at 3.25 p.m. and docked at its home base for the first time shortly afterwards. The aircraft wears the special "Wanderlust" livery, a colorful tribute to the diversity of Switzerland.
"Today is a great day for us," says Swiss CEO Jens Fehlinger. "The A350 marks the start of a new generation of long-haul flying for Swiss passengers. This aircraft stands for everything we want to be in the future: efficient, modern and clearly positioned as a premium airline, from Switzerland and for Switzerland."
The A350 is considered the most modern wide-body aircraft in the world. Thanks to economical engines and improved aerodynamics, it consumes around a quarter less fuel than previous models and emits correspondingly less CO₂. It is significantly quieter and enables a lower cabin pressure altitude and higher humidity during the flight, which noticeably increases travel comfort. Ten Airbus A350s are set to join the Swiss fleet by 2031.
Heike Birlenbach, Swiss Chief Commercial Officer, adds: "With Swiss Senses, we are bringing a new understanding of comfort and quality into the air. Our guests experience more space, peace and quiet and a personalized travel experience - from the light to the seats to the service on board."
The first passenger flight is planned for October 25, 2025 from Zurich to Palma de Mallorca. The first long-haul flight is scheduled to take off for Boston on November 20, 2025. There, passengers will experience the new cabin interior for the first time in combination with the recently expanded long-haul service.
]]>
Since 2016, the Swiss vacation airline Edelweiss has been naming its aircraft after regions where the queen of Alpine flowers is at home, in line with the motto "Where Edelweiss is at home". In spring and summer 2025, the first Edelweiss Airbus A350s were added to the fleet and named "Piz Bernina" and "Piz Palü" - two imposing peaks of the Bernina massif in the Engadin.
As a sign of this partnership, two Edelweiss benches were inaugurated on the Diavolezza. The wooden benches in the shape of airplane seats offer a unique view of the two mountain peaks whose names now bear the modern Edelweiss long-haul aircraft.
The two benches were officially inaugurated by Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss, and Markus Moser, CEO of Corvatsch Diavolezza Lagalb. The event was accompanied by music from local musician Snook, who created a special atmosphere with his songs.
"For us, the inauguration of these two benches is a beautiful symbol of the connection between our airline and the Engadin mountains. The fact that our Airbus A350s bear the names 'Piz Bernina' and 'Piz Palü' and that you can see these peaks perfectly from the benches makes the partnership particularly special," said Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss.
Markus Moser, CEO of Corvatsch Diavolezza Lagalb, also emphasized the connection: "Diavolezza is a place of inspiration that attracts people from all over the world. With the Edelweiss benches, we are creating a new highlight that builds a bridge between our region and the Swiss leisure airline."
The Engadin is now home to three Edelweiss benches: in addition to the new duo on the Diavolezza, a bench on the Corvatsch has also commemorated the christening of an Airbus A320 since 2016.
]]>
This is a rare opportunity: SWISS fans can now apply to sponsor SWISS's first Airbus A350-900. The person selected, together with a well-known personality, will officially christen the aircraft with the name "Lausanne" after its arrival in Zurich.
SWISS is looking for people with a special passion for flying and travel for this honorable task. The first A350 presents itself in a special livery with the name "SWISS Wanderlust" and thus carries the diversity of Switzerland out into the world.
Anyone who wants to become a godparent should show their own "wanderlust" in a short video - be it the special view during a flight, emotional moments when reuniting with loved ones or personal travel stories. You can apply by posting a short video on Instagram with the hashtag #MyWanderlustMoment. You must tag @flyswiss and make your profile public. Participation is possible until September 14.
The special design of the Airbus A350-900 presents architectural buildings, famous sights and traditional sporting and cultural events in Switzerland. Each illustration highlights a particular aspect of the country and focuses on landscapes, people and culture. SWISS has ordered a total of ten Airbus A350-900s, which will be delivered by 2031. The new SWISS Senses cabin awaits guests on board these aircraft.
]]>
Swiss International Air Lines and Swiss watchmaker Breitling are entering into a partnership that is a first in Switzerland. Breitling will now purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF for short, for all business flights operated by SWISS. This makes Breitling the first Swiss business customer to commit to the use of SAF in its entirety. By using SAF, Breitling will reduce CO2-emissions from its air travel by 80 percent. The remaining CO2emissions are offset by Breitling through investments in high-quality climate protection projects.
By committing to the use of SAF, the watch manufacturer not only reduces its individual CO2-It also makes an important contribution to the promotion of sustainable air transport. SAF are currently only available in small quantities. With its commitment, the company is sending an important market signal to further drive the production and use of sustainable fuels.
Dieter Vranckx, CEO of Swiss, says: "Breitling and SWISS have enjoyed a successful partnership for many years, and I am delighted that we can now deepen it further. Breitling is playing an exemplary pioneering role here. It's collaborations like this that are significantly advancing the development of sustainable aviation fuels and thus accelerating the transition to more sustainable air travel." SWISS recently began offering its business customers various new products designed to reduce CO2-emissions of their air travel. Further SAF cooperations will follow; the externally validated and certified SAF offerings are meeting with great interest among companies.
"Sustainability is not just a project for us, but a journey we are embarking on to transform our business," says Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. "The CO2-Neutralizing our SWISS flights is an important way for us to reduce our emissions and make a small contribution to the sustainability turnaround in the aviation industry, with which we have been closely associated since the 1930s."
Swiss and Lufthansa Group are committed
Sustainable fuels, so-called SAF, are not of fossil origin and close the carbon cycle. The SAF currently used by Swiss and the Lufthansa Group is produced from biogenic waste and reduces CO2-emissions by 80 percent compared with fossil fuel. Synthetic fuels available in the future will be virtually CO2-neutral. The use of SAF is essential for the reduction of CO2-emissions from air traffic. SWISS and the Lufthansa Group are therefore committed to researching, testing, and using sustainable aviation fuels. By participating in research and pilot projects as well as SAF alliances, the Lufthansa Group builds up know-how on technologies and market development.
]]>