Intro
Most European leisure airlines now charge โฌ8 for terrible sandwiches or offer nothing but pretzels for purchase.
Edelweiss still includes meals with your ticket – even on short flights like Zurich to Palma de Mallorca.
This Swiss carrier reminded me that hospitality doesn’t have to be an upcharge.
Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re expecting the usual cramped seats and buy-on-board disappointment.
Inflight
Free food on European short-haul is becoming as rare as empty middle seats.
While parent company Lufthansa has embraced buy-on-board like most European carriers, Edelweiss continues offering complimentary catering even on shorter flights.
Three cabin crew worked efficiently through the economy section with separate carts for beverages and food.
Yes, you’ll still pay for alcohol and premium snacks from their inflight magazine, but the basic meal service comes with your ticket, a concept that feels almost revolutionary in 2025.
When offered a choice between chicken and vegetarian options, I selected chicken without much enthusiasm.
European airline sandwiches typically range from forgettable to actively disappointing, so my expectations were low.
The sandwich featured bread from Bertschi bakery, a Swiss supplier that takes pride in its craft.
This wasn’t the compressed, flavourless white bread that plagues most airline catering.
Generously buttered and filled with quality chicken and a tangy pickle, it was leagues above the dry, forgettable sandwiches that define European short-haul dining.
When I thought service was complete, the crew made another pass with Edelweiss’s signature sweet treat – traditional Swiss biberli.
These honey-filled gingerbread confections have been an Edelweiss trademark for years, offering passengers a taste of Swiss culinary heritage.
I always appreciate airlines showcasing their cultural identity through food rather than offering generic international fare.
Why offer something bland when you can share something distinctly yours?
The biberli were spiced with gingerbread warmth, the honey filling adding a sweet note.
Family Friendly
I don’t typically focus on family amenities, but Edelweiss’s approach deserves a mention.
The crew distributed age appropriate activity kits throughout the cabin, red drawstring bags with coloured pencils, activity books for children, and soft yellow toys for infants.
When I asked to examine them more closely, the crew was happy to oblige, explaining their contents with genuine enthusiasm.
Seeing this level of attention to younger travellers on a short European flight felt refreshing.
These were thoughtfully curated items that showed real consideration for family travel needs.
Premium Touches
Sometimes it’s the details you almost miss that reveal an airline’s true priorities. The lavatory featured hand soap from Soeder, the same upscale Swiss brand used by SWISS in its premium cabins.
Most leisure carriers would install generic soap dispensers and call it adequate.
Finding a premium-branded product in an economy bathroom on a short flight speaks volumes about Edelweiss’s commitment to consistent quality standards.
Conclusion
Edelweiss embodies genuine Swiss hospitality principles – attention to detail, quality over quantity, and making guests feel welcomed rather than processed.
The quality bread, heritage sweets, and premium amenities reflect a consistent philosophy about passenger care.
In today’s European aviation landscape, most carriers are either full-service with premium pricing or ultra-low-cost with endless add-ons.
Edelweiss occupies an interesting middle ground, competitive leisure pricing without stripping away fundamental comforts.
On a continent where buy on board has become standard, finding an airline that still values feeding its customers feels almost subversive.
Edelweiss proves that leisure flying economics don’t have to come at the expense of hospitality.
