Switzerland’s leading leisure airline, Edelweiss, has become the first Swiss carrier to introduce the Airbus A350-900 into its fleet, a compelling reason to test the Business Class experience on a short-haul flight from Pristina (PRN) in Kosovo to Zurich (ZRH). The opportunity arose because the airline’s first A350-900 (HB-IHF) is currently being operated on short-haul routes to allow the crew to gain the required flight experience on the new aircraft type.
With its next-generation engines and extensive use of lightweight composite materials, the twin-engine Airbus A350 ranks among the most fuel-efficient wide-body aircraft in the world. Compared to the four-engine Airbus A340-300, which Edelweiss is now phasing out, the A350 consumes up to 25% less fuel and emits 25% less CO₂. Noise emissions have also been reduced by as much as 50%, setting a new benchmark for environmental and passenger comfort standards.
Check-In
It was immediately apparent that Pristina Airport (PRN) was struggling to handle a long-haul aircraft departure. The flight was completely full across all classes, Economy, Economy Max, and Business, and check-in queues stretched from the counters through the entire terminal and even outside onto the street.
According to airport staff, the self-check-in system had failed due to an overbooking situation, adding to the chaos. After more than 90 minutes of waiting, I finally checked in my luggage and received my boarding pass, but any chance to relax in the lounge was gone.
Security was similarly disorganized, with impatient passengers trying to push through simultaneously, forcing staff to intervene and slowing the process even more.
Boarding and Crew
I reached the gate 15 minutes after the scheduled departure time, one of the last passengers to board. Full credit goes to Edelweiss Operations for holding the aircraft until every single passenger had checked in.
The cabin crew greeted me warmly, and boarding itself ran efficiently, largely because most passengers were already seated, and only a few latecomers trickled in. Pushback occurred with a delay of about 45 minutes, which, given the circumstances, was not too bad.
Seat Product and Inflight Entertainment (IFE)
The Business Class product on Edelweiss’ A350-900 is by no means poor, but you can immediately tell that the aircraft had a previous life. This particular A350 once belonged to LATAM Airlines, which phased it out in late 2023 and sent it to Tarbes, France, for long-term storage before Edelweiss acquired it.
As a result, the cabin is not yet in the full Edelweiss design. While the refurbishment was done with visible effort, it doesn’t quite match the refinement or style of a brand-new A350 Business Class product.
The aircraft features 246 Economy, 63 Economy Max (Premium Economy), and 30 Business Class seats. The IFE system (in-flight entertainment) is still considered modern, featuring Edelweiss’ latest interface displayed on 19-inch high-resolution screens. Each Business seat includes USB ports, fully flat beds, pillows and blankets, and an amenity kit, all standard for long-haul business travel.
This cabin configuration will remain in service until late 2026, when the airline plans a full interior retrofit into Edelweiss’ signature design once maintenance slots become available.
Catering
Edelweiss usually impresses me with its onboard catering, especially in Business Class. Unfortunately, this short-haul flight was a rare exception, and a disappointing one.
What was offered would barely pass as an Economy Light snack on other carriers. Apart from a Swiss butter coockie pastry (Mailänderli), a drink service, and the airline’s signature chocolate, there was nothing else.
Even on short-haul routes, most airlines offer at least a cold meal tray and a selection of beverages in Business Class. Here, service stopped after the initial drink round, and the crew was largely absent afterward.
Considering the premium ticket price, the experience felt underwhelming and unworthy of the Edelweiss brand. It was, quite frankly, the sparsest Business Class catering I’ve ever encountered in Europe, very disappointing indeed.
Arrival
The flight took about 90 minutes, allowing the crew to make up roughly 30 minutes of delay, a small consolation. Upon arrival, we were parked at a remote stand, and passengers had to wait more than 10 minutes for the bus before deplaning, not exactly the smoothest ending.
Next time, I’ll likely fly with one of my personal favorites: GP Aviation, the unofficial national carrier of Kosovo. They still operate the classic Boeing 737-400, reliable, affordable, punctual, and with a charming cabin and cockpit crew. And ironically, despite operating under a Bulgarian AOC, GP Aviation feels more Swiss than Edelweiss, which, as we all know, belongs to the German Lufthansa Group.
GP Aviation is 100% Swiss-owned, and as a Swiss myself, that’s something I’ll gladly support, especially when the service and catering in their Economy Class surpass what Edelweiss just served in Business.
And as a final touch of superiority: GP Aviation even parks at the gate in Zurich (Dock Midfield) every time, no buses, no waiting, just smooth arrivals.
