Edelweiss Air Unveils Plans for New Long Haul Flights to Seattle and Halifax

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Edelweiss Air is set to expand its long-haul network by introducing two new routes to North America in the summer of 2025. The Zurich-based leisure carrier, a subsidiary of Swiss International Air Lines and part of the Lufthansa Group, plans to launch flights connecting Zurich with Seattle and Halifax. This move aims to enhance its transatlantic flight offerings and meet growing passenger demand.

This expansion reflects Edelweiss Air’s commitment to increasing its global footprint and providing more travel options to its customers. By adding Seattle and Halifax, Edelweiss not only taps into key tourism and business markets but also strengthens its connections across the Atlantic, offering passengers more flexible and convenient travel solutions.

The decision to add these North American destinations comes as Edelweiss Air continues to recover and expand following global travel disruptions. With a focus on leisure travel, the airline has strategically chosen locations that are popular both for their scenic beauty and their cultural offerings, aligning with the preferences of its predominantly vacation-oriented clientele. These new flights are expected to boost tourist exchanges and foster closer economic ties between Switzerland and North America.

New Seasonal Services
Edelweiss will operate a twice-weekly service connecting Zurich and Seattle from June to September. This will be followed by a new route to Halifax, Canada, with flights running from July to early October. These additions are expected to cater to both leisure travelers and business clientele between these destinations.

Fleet Modernization
The services will initially be operated using Airbus A340-300 aircraft. Later in the season, the airline plans to upgrade these routes to the newer Airbus A350-900, aligning with its fleet modernization strategy. Edelweiss has placed an order for six A350s, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2025. The inaugural A350 is currently undergoing painting in Edelweiss livery at a facility in Shannon, Ireland.

Phased Deployment of A350s
Upon delivery, the A350s will first be deployed on various short to medium-haul routes to optimize crew familiarization and operational integration. The first long-haul destination for the new aircraft will be Las Vegas, starting in May 2025. Following the entry into service of the second A350, the airline will commence operations to Vancouver in July. The fleet expansion will continue with the introduction of a third A350 in October 2025 and a fourth in the winter season of 2025-26. The final two aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026.

Enhancing U.S. and Canadian Networks
The introduction of the Zurich-Seattle route will complement Edelweiss’ existing U.S. routes to Denver, Las Vegas, and Tampa, further solidifying its presence in the American market. Meanwhile, the new Halifax service will become the third Canadian destination for Edelweiss, alongside Calgary and Vancouver. According to the latest data from OAG Schedules Analyser, these routes will fill a gap as there are currently no nonstop services from Switzerland to either Seattle or Halifax.

These new routes not only expand Edelweiss Air’s geographic footprint but also underscore its commitment to enhancing connectivity and providing travelers with more direct route options in its long-haul network.