Aircraft swaps happen once in a while, whereby the aircraft operating a flight is different than the plane you were expecting. While this can happen for all kinds of operational reasons, here’s an aircraft swap that’s on a different level, as reported by aeroTELEGRAPH…
In this post:
Edelweiss operates Oman flight with Airbus A320
Edelweiss is SWISS’ leisure subsidiary, and the airline operates both short and long haul flights. The airline operates a flight to Oman — it’s a triangle route from Zurich (ZRH) to Muscat (MCT) to Salalah (SLL) to Zurich. This flight is ordinarily operated by an Airbus A340-300.
However, in the past couple of weeks, this route has experienced an aircraft swap twice — instead of being operated by the planned wide body A340, the route has instead been operated by an Airbus A320.
For context, Edelweiss’ A320s are configured with 174 seats, with all rows being in a 3-3 configuration. The planes don’t have seat back entertainment, Wi-Fi, or power ports, and the interiors are in line with what you’d expect on a short haul flight within Europe.
Meanwhile Edelweiss’ A340s are configured with 300 seats. This includes 29 business class seats that are flat beds, and 271 economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. The plane also has seat back entertainment at all seats.
So talk about an absolutely massive difference in terms of passenger experience. I would have to imagine the flights also didn’t have their typical catering, given the lack of oven capacity on the A320.
When it comes to travel time, the Zurich to Muscat flight takes around 6hr30min, the Muscat to Salalah flight takes around 1hr20min, and the Salalah to Zurich flight has a refueling stop in Athens, and takes around 9hr30min. So for the return flight, those originating in Muscat spent over 12 hours on the plane, while those originating in Salalah spent over 10 hours on the plane. Talk about a rough trip on an A320!
Aside from people who were bumped, EC261 regulations don’t specifically cover what passengers would be entitled to due to the plane swap. However, presumably they would be entitled to some compensation, given the difference between what the airline promised, and what it actually delivered.
Why has Edelweiss made such a drastic aircraft swap twice?
It’s rare to see such an extreme plane swap at an airline, given the massive difference in terms of capacity and passenger experience. So what’s the cause of this happening not once, but twice?
Well, on November 19, 2025, Edelweiss’ Airbus A350-900 with the registration code HB-IHF had an incident in Bogota (BOG), whereby the plane was struck by a baggage cart, causing damage to the engine. Given how small Edelweiss’ long haul fleet is, this plane grounding has had major operational implications for the airline.
As a result, Edelweiss has had to swap around the planes operating in some other markets, and these Oman flights being downgraded has been part of that strategy. I suspect that comes down to Oman being one of the long haul destinations that could most easily be served by the A320, given that it’s one of the carrier’s shorter long haul flights, and also doesn’t involve crossing a major body of water (unlike Edelweiss’ transatlantic flying).
Bottom line
Passengers traveling on Edelweiss from Switzerland to Oman were in for an unpleasant surprise, when their Airbus A340 got swapped with an Airbus A320. Given that many passengers on this route spend 10-12 hours on the aircraft, that’s a massive downgrade, without seat back entertainment, Wi-Fi, or even power ports.
This plane swap was because an Edelweiss A350 was taken out of service due to a ground incident in Bogota, which means the carrier’s long haul fleet is stretched thin.
What do you make of this Edelweiss plane swap?
ultimately, the question comes down to what widebody routes they can operate with a narrowbody - and there probably aren't too many choices.
Edelweiss does operate some A320NEOs which might be able to make the flight north/westbound (or not), avoiding the fuel stop.
and the fuel stop probably forces a crew change; they have been able to get the plane turned at ATH in about an hour - shorter than scheduled - on the days...
ultimately, the question comes down to what widebody routes they can operate with a narrowbody - and there probably aren't too many choices.
Edelweiss does operate some A320NEOs which might be able to make the flight north/westbound (or not), avoiding the fuel stop.
and the fuel stop probably forces a crew change; they have been able to get the plane turned at ATH in about an hour - shorter than scheduled - on the days the flight has stopped there.
and the ground handler that damaged the 343 might be on the hook for the extra costs and passenger compensation for the downgrade.
Not only is this an indictment to customer service excellence, it is also illegal under Swiss Aviation Charter SG196 - Sec. 3.4, paragraph 8 "Operators shall make good on advertised services, including explicitly food & drink, legroom, seat width, entertainment, internet access, power connectivity.
Appendix H of SG196 stipulates very clearly that a per passenger fine can be levied against the carrier of up to 400% of base fare, 100% of which the Swiss...
Not only is this an indictment to customer service excellence, it is also illegal under Swiss Aviation Charter SG196 - Sec. 3.4, paragraph 8 "Operators shall make good on advertised services, including explicitly food & drink, legroom, seat width, entertainment, internet access, power connectivity.
Appendix H of SG196 stipulates very clearly that a per passenger fine can be levied against the carrier of up to 400% of base fare, 100% of which the Swiss government will remit to the passenger.
Hey Ben don't the A340s have a 2-4-2 configuration in Y? It's their A350s that has the 3-3-3.
No, their A340s are in a super tight 3-4-3. They are the only operator to employ 10 abreast seating.
which makes their 320 seat wider
Thanks Putin!
It’s a 10:30pm departure from ZRH, so meals may not be much of an issue. They still show J availability on flights scheduled to be operated by the A320. I assume they’re going to do standard European blocked middle seat in J. I would definitely push for a rebook to the LX codeshare operated by WY with a 789 if I was in J. Being part of the LH group, I probably wouldn’t get it.
You might want to cover the follow-up to the Japan/China aviation situation.
There's been massive cancellations and decrease in capacity across all Chinese carriers. You can check it out on aeroroutes.
Thanks Putin!!!!
I had a similar swap by Avianca twice between BOG and SCL. Instead of flat bed on an A330 whim I booked, we got an inferior business class seat on an A320.
I meant “what” I booked.
Edelweiss made it clear that there will be no compensation.
(They belong to Lufthansa Group…so not too surprising.)
I assume the flight was far from full given the difference in the number of seats.
If so then they have to deny boarding to a number of pax and reroute them and compensation is due
Hi Ben, just FYI the title currently reads "Edelweiss Swaps A320 For A340 On Long Haul Flight". Think that's meant to be the other way around
@ MissingScurrah -- Sorry, maybe I haven't had enough coffee, but is that wrong? I think swapping an A320 for an A340 is correct, while if I had said "swaps A320 with A340," it wouldn't have been correct. Or am I thinking of this wrong?
You swap the first item for the second. A340 for A320
@ Gva -- Thanks. Replaced "for" with "with" and changed order, so hopefully makes sense now.
Or you can say “A320 from A340”, but not “A320 for A340”. That would mean it was swapped from A320 to A340
Unfortunately, I wouldn't think the pax in economy have a claim for compensation, at least legally. Entertainment/food differences aren't covered. And it's not like being on a narrow vs. wide body in economy is really the difference that some people make it out to be. Although, have they had to bump people due to the smaller plane, or was the flight operating that half-full?
Now the business class pax, that's different, and probably due compensation?