Review: Edelweiss Air A340 Business Class (Male to Zürich)

Wednesday newsletters feature a hotel or flight review.

A few weeks ago, I enjoyed a terrific holiday in the Maldives. You can read my trip reports here:

Review: Austrian Airlines Business Class Boeing 777 from Vienna to Male
Review: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Review: Edelweiss Air Business Class Airbus A340 from Male to Zürich (today)

Review: Edelweiss Air Business Class Airbus A340 (Male to Zürich)

For my return journey from the Maldives to Europe, I flew Edelweiss Air’s Airbus A340 Business Class on the flight from Malé (MLE) to Zurich (ZRH). Edelweiss Air is Switzerland’s leading leisure airline and a member of the Lufthansa Group, serving a network of holiday destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. While the airline enjoys an excellent reputation for its friendly Swiss hospitality, its long-haul Business Class product is showing its age. The Airbus A340 features an older staggered seat layout that does not provide direct aisle access for every passenger, there is no inflight Wi-Fi, the amenities are fairly basic, and the catering — although perfectly acceptable —lacks the refinement expected from a modern premium cabin.

That said, there are still several reasons why I deliberately chose Edelweiss Air for this flight. Flying via Zurich allowed me to avoid connecting through the Middle Eastern hubs (which are facing their own challenges right now), and perhaps even more importantly, it gave me the opportunity to experience one of commercial aviation’s true classics: the Airbus A340. As one of the last airlines in the world still operating this graceful four-engine aircraft on scheduled long-haul services, Edelweiss offers an increasingly rare flying experience that aviation enthusiasts will appreciate. Better yet, this review captures the final chapter of an era. By the end of this year, Edelweiss will begin replacing its A340 fleet with brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft featuring an all-new Business Class cabin, bringing the airline’s premium product in line with today’s industry standards.

Have you ever flown with Edelweiss Air? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

Flight details:

Trip: Velana International Airport (MLE) to Zürich, Switzerkand (ZRH)
Airline: Edelweiss Air
Aircraft type: Airbus A340-300
Aircraft registration number: HB-JMC (built in 2003)
On time departure: yes (12:30 pm)
On time arrival: yes (6:30 pm)
Miles: 4850 miles (7810 km)
Flight time: 10 hours
Seat: 11K
Class: Business Class

In this review (more information & photos below my YouTube video):

1. Cost of My Ticket

For this round-trip Business Class ticket between Europe and the Maldives, I paid approximately €3,500. Premium cabin fares have increased significantly in recent years, and unfortunately, no award seats were available on my travel dates. Since this was a last-minute trip, I had little choice but to bite the bullet and purchase a full-fare ticket.

The outbound journey to the Maldives was operated by Austrian Airlines, while the return flight was operated by Edelweiss Air. This provided an interesting comparison between two different airlines within the Lufthansa Group, with Austrian offering its own long-haul Business Class experience on the Boeing 777 and Edelweiss showcasing its leisure-focused A340 Business Class product.

Edelweiss Air Business Class on the A340 — Edelweiss Air Airbus A340

2. Lounge

Located one floor above the main concourse of Velana International Airport, the new Koveli Lounge serves as the airport’s single shared departure lounge, welcoming premium passengers from all participating airlines. While I imagine it can become quite busy during peak departure banks, the lounge was tranquil during my visit, providing a peaceful escape from the activity below.

The lounge occupies one long, rectangular room, with a row of enclosed spaces— including quiet rooms and the restrooms —located along one side, while the opposite side is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the inside of the airport’s main terminal. The lounge’s contemporary interior is both elegant and understated, with warm materials, soft lighting, and a distinctly chic feel. Partitions divide the lounge into several smaller seating areas, creating a sense of intimacy while preserving the openness of the space. Guests can choose from a variety of seating options, including lounge chairs, dining tables, and high-top counters suited for working or enjoying a refreshment.

At the heart of the lounge is a central buffet island offering a selection of hot and cold dishes, salads, desserts, and beverages. While the food is fresh and of good quality, the culinary offering is just ok and does not quite match the standards of the world’s finest airport lounges. The beverage selection is also relatively modest, as no alcoholic drinks are served. Although international tourists can legally consume alcohol at licensed resorts and on liveaboard vessels in the Maldives, alcohol is generally not served in public places on inhabited islands, including the airport terminal. As a result, the lounge does not offer beer, wine, or spirits.

With its elegant design, abundance of natural light, and thoughtfully planned seating areas, Koveli Lounge represents a dramatic improvement to the airport experience at Velana International Airport. Whereas the old lounge felt cramped, outdated, and often overcrowded, the new facility delivers a genuinely premium experience, providing a stylish and tranquil airport environment that is worthy of one of the world’s most exclusive holiday destinations.

Check-in area at Velana International Airport

Koveli Lounge at Velana International Airport

3. Business Class Cabin

In a somewhat unusual configuration, Edelweiss Air’s A340 Business Class cabin is located in the middle of the aircraft, directly over the wings, rather than in the forward section. There is a historical reason for this peculiar arrangement. Edelweiss inherited its Airbus A340 fleet from SWISS, which explains why the aircraft feature essentially the same Business Class seat layout and interior design as SWISS, albeit refreshed with Edelweiss-specific colors and branding. During the subsequent cabin reconfiguration, the former First Class section at the front of the aircraft was removed and replaced with Economy Class seating, while Business Class remained in its original position farther back. The result is the rather distinctive setup of Economy Class occupying the nose of the aircraft ahead of Business Class.

The Edelweiss Air A340 Business Class cabin features 27 fully flat seats spread across six rows and arranged in an alternating 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 layout, commonly known as a staggered configuration or Sogerma Solstys layout. While this design was considered innovative when introduced, the cabin feels relatively dense by today’s Business Class standards, largely because each seat’s footwell is positioned underneath and between the seats in the row ahead. The seat arrangement varies depending on the side of the aircraft:

On the right side of the cabin, passengers will find only individual seats, which alternate between true window seats — with the side console positioned on the aisle side, offering better privacy — and seats with the console located against the window. The latter configuration leaves the passenger more exposed to the aisle, making these seats less desirable.
The center section consists entirely of paired seats, making it the preferred area for passengers traveling together.
On the left side of the cabin, the layout alternates between paired seats and individual “throne” seats. These throne seats are the most sought-after options for solo travelers, thanks to their additional personal space, larger work surface, increased privacy, and direct aisle access.

While the cabin layout and seat configuration is inherited from SWISS, Edelweiss has given it its own identity with deep blue seat upholstery, bright red accents, and subtle touches of the airline’s signature branding throughout the cabin. Although the color palette is attractive and creates a warm, contemporary atmosphere, Edelweiss Air’s A340 Business Class inevitably feels like a product from an earlier era, even if it still delivers a comfortable fully flat bed and an enjoyable long-haul experience.

4. Business Class Seat (+ Best & Worst Seats)

The Edelweiss Air A340 Business Class seat measures 52 cm (20.5 inches) in width and offers a pitch of 152 cm (60 inches), providing sufficient personal space for most travelers.

Each Business Class seat is equipped with a spacious side console that doubles as a practical work surface, offering ample room for a laptop, tablet, drink, or other personal belongings. Above the side console sits a perforated wood storage unit, one of the seat’s most distinctive design features. It houses a slide-out drawer as well as a fold-out tray table. Although the tray table is sturdy and generously sized once deployed, unfolding and stowing it requires a somewhat awkward sequence of movements. Integrated into the wood panel are an adjustable reading light and a hook for hanging the provided headphones, preventing the cable from becoming tangled during the flight. Beneath the storage unit are the seat controls, a universal power outlet, USB charging port, and the handheld remote for the inflight entertainment system.

In front of each seat is a crisp 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen that delivers bright, sharp images. Directly underneath the monitor is a closable storage compartment that’s ideal for keeping smaller items — such as a phone, passport, or headphones — within easy reach, although it is too compact to accommodate a laptop. Beneath the TV and shelf lies the footwell, which extends underneath the seat in front.

At the touch of a button, the seat transforms into a fully flat bed measuring approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, making it suitable for long-haul overnight flights. While the bed itself is comfortably long, the footwell narrows significantly towards the end, restricting movement of the feet and lower legs when sleeping. This makes it difficult to change position during the night without brushing against the sides of the compartment. Another drawback of the flat bed is the relatively low sleeping position: when fully flat, the mattress sits only about 45 cm (17 inches) above the floor, making getting in and out of bed—particularly during the night—less convenient than on more modern Business Class products.

The Edelweiss Air A340’s solo “throne” seats on the left side of the cabin (11A, 14A, and 16A) deserve special mention, as they are widely regarded as the best seats on the aircraft and are especially popular with solo travelers. Their two large side tables, additional storage space, and direct aisle access make them the most desirable seats in the cabin. However, they are not without compromise. With the exception of the bulkhead throne seat in row 11, they feature the smallest footwells on the aircraft, which can noticeably reduce sleeping comfort on longer flights. In addition, both armrests remain fixed in place and cannot be lowered, making the bed feel slightly narrower than it actually is. For many passengers, the added privacy and workspace will outweigh these drawbacks, but those who prioritize sleep may actually prefer one of the standard seats with a larger footwell.

What are the best Business Class seats on Edelweiss Air’s Airbus A340?

The best seats for solo travelers are the individual “throne” seats located on the left side of the cabin (11A, 14A, and 16A). These seats offer the highest level of privacy, additional personal space, and direct aisle access, making them the most desirable options for passengers traveling alone. However, they do come with a few compromises as described above (smaller footwell, fixed armrests).
Passengers traveling together should opt for the center seats, which are arranged in pairs and all provide direct aisle access. There is also a set of paired window seats on the left side of the aircraft (rows 12, 15, and 17), but these are less desirable as the passenger seated by the window does not have direct aisle access and must climb over their neighbor’s legs when wishing to leave the seat.

What are the worst Business Class seats on Edelweiss Air’s Airbus A340?

The window seats in row 15 should be skipped as they are missing a window, resulting in a less desirable experience for passengers who enjoy looking outside during the flight.
The seats in row 17 are also not ideal, as they are located directly in front of the Economy Class bassinet positions. Depending on the flight load, passengers seated here may experience additional noise from families traveling with infants.
Solo travelers should avoid the paired seats whenever possible, as they offer significantly less privacy than the individual throne seats. That said, the seats do feature a fixed privacy divider between neighboring passengers, which provides some separation and makes sharing the space with a stranger more comfortable.
Another seat that is best avoided is 11K (the seat I selected for my own flight). Although it is a solo seat with the benefit of direct aisle access, its configuration is less desirable than the other solo seats. The side console is positioned against the window rather than along the aisle, which leaves the passenger more exposed to the aisle. In addition, the seat’s large console partially obstructs the view through the only window, making it difficult to enjoy the scenery outside during the flight.

Click here for a seat map of Edelweiss Air’s A340.

5. Amenities & Bedding

Edelweiss Air provides the following amenities to its Business Class passengers on long-haul flights:

A sustainably designed amenity kit featuring cardboard packaging made with 70% recycled content. The kit contains essential travel items, including socks, a sleeping mask, a shoehorn, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and earplugs. However, no toiletries or skincare products are included.
A decently sized and comfortable pillow, suitable for resting during the flight and when the seat is converted into a fully flat bed.
A warm and comfortable blanket that provides sufficient coziness during overnight flights.
Noise-cancelling headphones to block out cabin noise and enhance the inflight entertainment experience. While they deliver a more immersive audio experience during the flight, they must be returned to the cabin crew before landing and cannot be kept after the journey.

6. Meals

On this long-haul flight, Edelweiss Air served a three-course lunch shortly after takeoff, followed by a light dinner before landing. Unfortunately, the catering was one of the weaker aspects of the overall Edelweiss Air Business Class experience. While the menu offered a reasonable selection of dishes, the portions were noticeably small for a Business Class product, and the presentation lacked the refinement and attention to detail expected in a premium cabin. The flavors were also rather underwhelming, with the meals tasting average at best.

The meal service started with a drink and a bag of mixed nuts. For the main meal, I selected the following options from the menu:

Starter: Bresaola with two kinds of melon
Main course: Beef ragout with wasabi mashed potatoes, yellow zucchini, and green beans
Cheese course: Chocolate mousse with vanilla sauce

Throughout the flight, a selection of snacks was available in the Business Class galley for passengers wishing to grab a bite between the main meal services. In addition, the cabin crew walked through the cabin midway through the flight, offering complimentary Mövenpick ice cream—a refreshing treat that was much appreciated and a nice touch on this long-haul journey.

Approximately 90 minutes before landing, a light dinner was served, consisting of five small plates accompanied by bread: vegetarian pasta, quinoa salad, smoked chicken, watermelon & feta salad, and vanilla pudding. Although modest in size, this second meal was actually the culinary highlight of the journey. The individual small plates were attractively presented and created a more visually appealing dining experience compared to the main meal service. However, the portions were again rather limited, which may leave some passengers wanting more, especially after a long-haul flight.

7. Entertainment

Each Edelweiss Air A340 Business Class seat is equipped with a personal 16-inch HD touchscreen monitor, providing a high-quality viewing experience throughout the flight. The inflight entertainment (IFE) system can be controlled directly through the responsive touchscreen or via a handheld wired remote control located at the seat.

Edelweiss Air offers a solid selection of entertainment options, including dozens of movies and TV shows featuring recent Hollywood releases, popular series, and award-winning documentaries. Passengers can also choose from a wide range of music channels and a library of more than 400 CDs, providing plenty of options to stay entertained during a long-haul journey.

8. Onboard Internet

Inflight Wi-Fi is not available on Edelweiss Air’s Airbus A340 aircraft, which is a significant disadvantage in today’s connected world. While many long-haul airlines now offer at least basic connectivity — even in Economy Class — passengers on Edelweiss’ A340 flights remain completely offline once airborne. This omission is somewhat easier to overlook given Edelweiss’ positioning as a leisure airline, where passengers are often traveling for holidays rather than business. However, the lack of Wi-Fi still feels outdated for a modern long-haul Business Class product. The good news is that Edelweiss’ upcoming Airbus A350 fleet will be equipped with inflight Wi-Fi, bringing the airline’s connectivity offering more in line with current industry standards.

9. Other Inflight Experiences

# Crew: the Edelweiss Air cabin crew on this flight was one of the highlights of the journey. The service was consistently friendly, warm, and attentive, with the crew displaying a genuine willingness to assist passengers throughout the flight. Their approachable and professional attitude contributed positively to the overall Business Class experience.

# Lavatories: Business Class passengers on the Edelweiss Air A340 have access to two dedicated lavatories. These are located in the forward galley area, which is shared with the Economy Class cabin in the nose section of the aircraft. While the facilities themselves are clean and functional, their location means that they are not exclusively reserved for Business Class passengers.

10. Final Thoughts & My Verdict

Overall, Edelweiss Air’s A340 Business Class delivers a comfortable and enjoyable journey, although the product is clearly showing its age. Friendly service and the rare opportunity to fly aboard one of the world’s last passenger Airbus A340s are definite highlights. However, the lack of Wi-Fi, the outdated staggered seat, and the rather basic catering and amenities leave it trailing behind today’s leading Business Class products. With Edelweiss introducing a brand-new Business Class on its Airbus A350 fleet later this year, this flight felt like a fitting farewell to a classic aircraft and an end of an era.

Here’s my verdict for Edelweiss Air’s A340 Business Class experience:

Seat comfort (upright): 7/10
Seat comfort (bed position): 5/10
Food (quality): 5/10
Food (quantity): 3/10
Inflight entertainment : 7/10
WiFi: 0/10 (not available)
Service: 9/10
Cabin design: 8/10
Overall experience: mediocre 6/10

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The post Review: Edelweiss Air A340 Business Class (Male to Zürich) appeared first on Luxury Travel Expert.

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