Intro
I’ve been keen to try Edelweiss for quite some time.
This Swiss leisure carrier, part of the Lufthansa Group and sister to SWISS, has managed to stay under my radar despite operating an impressive network from Zurich to holiday hotspots across Europe and beyond.
Would they follow the industry trend of bare-bones service? Or maintain that distinctly Swiss touch of quality?
Considering these questions, I boarded my flight from Zurich to Palma de Mallorca.
Inflight
Complimentary food service on European short-haul is becoming as rare as an empty middle seat.
So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that while parent company Lufthansa has fully embraced the buy-on-board concept, Edelweiss continues to offer free catering even on shorter flights.
Three cabin crew worked efficiently in the economy section, operating separate carts for beverages and food.
Yes, you’ll need to pay for alcohol and snacks from their inflight magazine menu.
Still, the complimentary offering was more generous than expected for a 1.5-hour hop to Mallorca.
I opted for chicken without much expectation when offered a choice between chicken or vegetarian options.
The sandwich featured bread from Bertschi bakery, a Swiss supplier that clearly takes pride in its craft.
The bread had that perfect balance of crust and chew that’s so rarely found at altitude.
Generously buttered and filled with chicken and a tangy pickle, it was leagues above the dry, forgettable sandwiches that plague many airlines’ short-haul service.
One bite in, I could tell this wasn’t standard airline fare. The bread alone elevated the entire experience, proving that quality ingredients make all the difference in the sky.
That Swiss Biberli
Just when I thought service was complete, the crew passed through with Edelweiss’s signature sweet treat โ traditional Swiss biberli.
These honey-filled gingerbread confections have been an Edelweiss trademark for years, offering a genuine taste of Swiss heritage.
I always appreciate these little touches of national identity in airline catering.
Why serve something generic when you can showcase your culinary heritage?
Family Friendly
I don’t often focus on family amenities in my reviews, but Edelweiss’s approach caught my attention.
The crew distributed age-appropriate kits throughout the cabin โ activity packs with coloured pencils in red drawstring bags for children and soft yellow toys for infants.
When I asked to look closer, the friendly crew was happy to oblige.
In an era where many airlines count every penny, seeing this level of attention to younger travellers on a short European flight was refreshing.
Premium Touches
The lavatory featured hand soap from Soeder โ the same upscale Swiss brand used by SWISS.
It’s a small detail that most passengers might overlook, but it speaks volumes about Edelweiss’s commitment to quality.
Most leisure carriers would install generic soap, but there was a premium branded product in an economy bathroom on a short flight.
Conclusion
While most carriers are either full-service with a premium price tag or ultra-low-cost with everything as an add-on, Edelweiss manages to offer leisure routes and competitive pricing without stripping away all the comforts.
Providing complimentary catering with quality ingredients, branded partnerships, and thoughtful touches for families makes them stand out in the crowded European leisure market.
On a continent where buy-on-board has become the norm, finding an airline that still values feeding its passengers properly is always a pleasure.
Edelweiss proves that the economics of leisure flying don’t have to come at the expense of hospitality.
