Edelweiss A340 and A350 on European Routes
Edelweiss Air will deploy its Airbus A340-300 and A350-900 aircraft on short-haul routes from Zurich during the early 2026/27 winter season, offering rare
Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss Air will operate its Airbus A340-300 and newer Airbus A350-900 aircraft on several short- and medium-haul routes from Zurich this autumn. According to a report from Airport Spotting, these deployments are part of the early 2026/27 winter programme and are due to high demand during the holiday period.
This creates unusual opportunities for enthusiasts to experience a four-engined A340 on flights lasting just a few hours. It also allows for sampling the airline's modern A350 on European leisure routes. The airline normally uses Airbus A320 family aircraft for such services.
A340 Routes for Autumn 2026
The Airbus A340-300 will be substituted on specific routes to provide extra capacity. The airline cites strong autumn holiday demand as the reason. Edelweiss currently operates just three A340-300s.
| Route | Aircraft | Schedule | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich - Gran Canaria | Airbus A340-300 | Fridays and Sundays | October to mid-November 2026 |
| Zurich - Tenerife | Airbus A340-300 | Mondays | October 2026 |
| Zurich - Rhodes | Airbus A340-300 | Saturdays | October 2026 |
An extra flight to Rhodes is also scheduled for 30 October, though the aircraft type should be confirmed at booking. The Zurich-Rhodes service is notable for offering an A340 flight entirely within Europe. The Canary Islands routes provide longer sectors without the commitment of a long-haul journey.
A350 Deployment to Crete
Edelweiss will also use its Airbus A350-900 on a short-haul route. The aircraft will fly between Zurich and Heraklion in Crete on Saturdays during the autumn period. These flights would typically be operated by an A320. Services to Heraklion have been extended until early December.
This is another notable chance for enthusiasts. Edelweiss introduced the A350 in 2025, becoming the first Swiss airline to operate the type. The carrier currently has four A350-900s, with its fleet expected to grow to six by the end of 2026. These aircraft are progressively replacing the older A340s.
Fleet Context and Final Opportunities
The Edelweiss A340 is a rare sight. The airline's three examples are former SWISS aircraft configured for 314 passengers across Business, Economy Max, and Economy classes. Time is running out for the type as the A350 fleet expands.
For UK-based enthusiasts, accessing these flights is relatively straightforward due to numerous connections to Zurich. The airport itself is also highlighted as a premier spotting location with excellent viewing terraces.
The airline has also confirmed additional capacity, including larger aircraft, on Zurich-Palma de Mallorca routes in October. However, the specific widebody type for these flights was not identified in the announcement. The source advises checking the booking system for updates.
As with all aircraft substitutions, equipment can change for operational reasons. Passengers are advised to verify the aircraft type at booking and again before departure. For those seeking to log an A340-300, these short-haul flights may represent some of the final, most accessible opportunities.
