Flight Review: Barcelona-Zürich-Bodrum on SWISS and Edelweiss Air A320s

 

Flight#: LX1953

From: Barcelona (BCN)

To: Zürich (ZRH)

Flight time: 2h

Aircraft: Airbus A320-200

Flight#: LX8194

From: Zurich (ZRH)

To: Bodrum-Milas (BJV)

Flight time: 3h

Aircraft: Airbus A320-200

This is a flight review of, technically, two airlines, but if I have decided to do it as a single flight report is because, in fact, they were both part of single, seamless itinerary.

When I booked the whole itinerary on SWISS, I didn’t know that the second leg of the trip would provided me the opportunity to try out Edelweiss Air, as well!

Now, in case you were not familiar with it, Edelweiss Air, is very closely affiliated with SWISS. Both are, based in Zurich and are part of the Lufthansa Group. Each airline has its own area of specialziation, though, Edelweiss Air operating on behalf of SWISS mostly on seasonal and leisure markets.

As we shall soon see, the passenger experience is quite undistinguishable on either carrier, however, I still think it is worth to point out the little differences I came across. Let’s go!


Flight 1: Barcelona to Zürich on SWISS Economy Class (Airbus A320-200)

The first leg of the journey was in good old SWISS.

All pretty correct, the standard short-haul A320ceo economy class most European flag carriers offer nowadays.

Slim RECARO seats in a 3-3 layout, with nice leather upholstery and a decent seat pitch (which I think is 30” on regular seats).

I found it hasn’t changed much since last time I reviewed, back in 2017.

The only remarkable difference is that the inflight magazine is now completely digital. You scan the QR code and you download it into you phone or digital device. However, for some reason (my internet connection was fine) it didn’t work for me, so I can’t tell you much about it!

What is still printed on paper is SWISS inflight shopping catalogue. Since Switzerland is a world leader in producing the sort of luxury goods that abound in this type of inflight duty free catalogues, the one onboard SWISS is pretty substantial!

There were no seatback screens or internet connectivity onboard, but you have these little screens overhead, one every several rows (so unless you have it very close, visibility can be so-so). These display flight information, which is something always greatly appreciated!, as well as advertising.

This is how I learned that SWISS now partners with luggage delivery service AirPortr, which we had the chance to review here in 2016, when the company was just starting up in the UK.

The screen also informed us that the complimentary bottle of mineral water we all received onboard is also the result of a product placement campaign (the water was excellent and very welcome all the same!)

Other than the aforementioned bottle of mineral water and the signature SWISS chocolate, all other food and drink onboard must be ordered from the menu and paid for.

The options available and their quality are pretty tempting, though, with a focus on Swiss specialities (alas, at prices that are a bit Swiss too, although, not as bad as I was expecting!)

While not cheap in absolute terms, the price-value ratio of the offering onboard SWISS (including this wine) was pretty decent.

Another thing worth highlighting is the truly impressive gifts that the crew distributed for children onboard. The illustrated flight logbook, which contains quite a lot of info and other kid’s content about SWISS, plus the corresponding pencils and other stuff was truly superb! (I am sure I was not the only grown up that wouldn’t have minded getting one of these logbooks too!)

Finally, this flight review wouldn’t be complete without a picture of something that has become a bit of a trademark item for the airline: the complimentary Swiss chocolate.


Stopover at Zürich: the lounge experience

The lounge was not, strictly speaking, part of the SWISS economy class experience. But given that there was a 4.5-hour stopover and that a simple meal at any of Zürich airport’s bars or restaurants would have cost pretty much the same as getting lounge access, decided to give it a try.

In particular I went to the Aspire lounge, which is one of the several independent lounges at ZRH. Nothing extraordinarily fancy, but had a decent food and drink selection, some cozy seating and good wifi, so, I think overall (and again, comparing with the average price level elsewhere at Zürich airport) the 40 CHF that it costs (around $45) is good value.

The lounge is located airside but before immigration counters, so, if you are travelling somewhere outside the Schengen area, factor in some time for passport control before heading to your gate!


Flight 2: From Zürich to Bodrum on Edelweiss Air Economy Class (A320-200)

Edelweiss Air aircraft stand out at any airport on account of its truly colourful and unique livery.

Step in inside, though, and it is immediately clear that this is a SWISS flight, since pretty much all cabin elements are the same as on SWISS mainline and equally branded.

The seats, for example, were just the same as in the preceding SWISS A320 flight, just look at the picture and compare with the one at the start of this flight review.

The seat pitch was also identical, and, actually, pretty good for what is, technically, a leisure carrier (Edelweiss Air).

The only if was, perhaps, this “wounded” armrest patched up with tape. To be fair, this did not impact the passenger experience much, but…small details.!

Pretty much every other element was identical: the small overhead screens (note that it is a SWISS-liveried aircraft that appears in it, not an Edelweiss Air one, despite the cool livery!)

Here you can see as well, how the seat looks like on the back side: with a rigid literature pocket on top and a soft net-like small pocket underneath for small items.

There are no in-seat power outlets, but the seats recline.

Another difference: despite the SWISS Saveurs magazine being the same, the wines available were different between the two flights.

The main difference between the two flights was in the food and drink experience. But I don’t think this was due to the second flight was operated by Edelweiss Air instead of mainline SWISS, most likely it is due to the fact that it was longer (+3h) and operated around midday.

So, yes! we were given food and drink like in the good old times! And, actually, it was a pretty good meal!

I was also glad to see that SWISS continues to use the super stylish and practical rigid meal boxes which I had already noted in my previous flight report.

You can see the contents here below: pasta with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes, some pretty nice crusty bread, butter, a stick of Gruyère cheese and dessert. Not huge quantities, but very well balanced.

So, this, enjoying this tasty meal, is how the second flight of this itinerary arrived without further notice to its final Turkish destination.

But that was not without getting still one more of SWISS famous inflight chocolates!



Our take: first of all, I would have expected the Edelweiss Air experience to be slightly different than SWISS and way more “low-costish”. The meal was, actually, quite a positive surprise!

The experience on SWISS itself is as plain as most European short haul flying is nowadays, but with some nice, little touches, such as the branded bottle of water, the kid’s entertainment and the chocolates.