SWISS Airbus A350 Arrives at Zurich’s New Hub After Departing Toulouse
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has proudly welcomed its inaugural Airbus A350 at Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland after its journey from Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS).
The Airbus A350-900, with the registration HB-IFA, took off from the renowned Airbus production site in France on October 9, 2025, shortly before 13:00, showcasing its unique ‘Wanderlust’ livery.
Upon landing in Zurich around 15:25, the aircraft was met with enthusiastic cheers from crowds of supporters.
Three SWISS pilots were responsible for flying the brand-new long-haul twinjet from Airbus’s Toulouse factory.
“Today marks a significant milestone for us. With the Airbus A350, we’re ushering our customers into a new age of long-haul air travel. This aircraft embodies our direction towards efficiency and advancement, solidifying our reputation as a premium airline for Switzerland,” stated SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger.
Fehlinger expressed his excitement, noting, “Welcoming a brand-new aircraft with a completely new cabin design is a rare occurrence in one’s airline career. It’s remarkable to see the level of progress and precision encapsulated in this aircraft.”
The Airbus A350-900, named ‘Lausanne,’ is the first of ten aircraft expected to be integrated into the SWISS fleet by 2031.
A livestream showcasing the landing of the new Airbus A350-900 was shared on YouTube, and the airline encouraged enthusiasts to track the flight on popular flight-tracking platforms.
The aircraft’s striking livery, featuring over 360 imagery elements, includes designs of dragons, bears, and even a tribute to iconic artist Freddie Mercury.
“The design serves as a love letter to Switzerland, full of creativity and stories. From emblematic landmarks to cherished traditions, each illustration highlights a unique aspect of our country,” remarked the airline.
First Airbus A350-900 for Swiss leaving Toulouse on delivery flight include wing wave, #airbus @Airbus congrats @FlySWISS #swiss #avgeek #aviation 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/DdPNvlzHin
— Eurospot (@cliper31) October 9, 2025
The A350 has already undergone rigorous ground testing at the Toulouse facility, including a high-speed takeoff abort.
The airline plans to feature a four-class layout on its A350-900s, including three first-class suites, 45 business class seats, 38 premium economy seats, and 156 economy class seats.
All ten aircraft will be equipped with the new ‘SWISS Senses’ cabin product, which is set to be adopted across Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 fleets. This will be the first time SWISS introduces a suite concept.
This acquisition is part of a broader order for 25 aircraft placed by SWISS’s parent organization, Lufthansa Group, back in 2019.
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