SWISS Receives First Airbus A350 at Zurich Airport

SWISS welcomed its first Airbus A350-900 at Zurich Airport on October 9. The aircraft, registered HB-IFA, departed Toulouse and landed at 15:25 local time.

The arrival marks the beginning of the airline’s long-haul fleet modernization program. SWISS plans to add ten A350-900s by 2031, progressively phasing out its four Airbus A340-300s that have served for more than two decades.

The A350 features the new ‘SWISS Senses’ cabin and a special livery named ‘Wanderlust’. According to the airline, the widebody is around 25% more fuel-efficient than previous models and generates significantly less noise.

Within the Lufthansa Group, SWISS is the latest carrier to introduce the A350, following Lufthansa, ITA Airways and Edelweiss. The shared platform is expected to reduce maintenance and training costs across the group’s widebody operations.

Industry observers view the A350 introduction as a strategic step toward a smaller, more efficient long-haul fleet. The move aligns with the group’s broader push for lower emissions and operational flexibility amid shifting long-haul demand.

Before entering regular service, SWISS will operate the aircraft on short European routes for crew training. The first passenger flight is scheduled from Zurich to Palma de Mallorca on October 25, followed by long-haul service to Boston on November 20.

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Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

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