Edelweiss brings Switzerland to Namibia

In the morning still in Zurich, in the evening already in Windhoek. The Swiss airline Edelweiss has started its new non-stop connection to Namibia – with a plane that was almost full. The Airbus A350 took off from Zurich yesterday with 285 passengers on board and landed in Windhoek even ahead of its scheduled arrival (7:40 p.m.).

The fire department at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) welcomed the plane after its maiden flight with powerful water fountains. According to eyewitnesses, a flight attendant who experienced this ritual for the first time burst into tears.

Also on board were Edelweiss CEO Bernd Bauer and Head of Corporate Communications Andreas Meier. Their task today in Windhoek was to strengthen their contacts with representatives of the Namibian travel industry. They also held a press conference to provide information about Edelweiss and the new flight connection.

Meanwhile, their aircraft departed for the return flight straight after cleaning, refueling, and reloading yesterday evening. Naturally, this was not happening without a proper ceremony at the airport before the maiden flight from Windhoek to Zurich. The return flight was also well-booked: The Edelweiss crew welcomed 253 passengers aboard the A350.

Group photo after the symbolic cutting of the red ribbon before the maiden return flight from Windhoek to Zurich: Edelweiss CEO Bernd Bauer (center) and Renette Scholtz, Lufthansa Group Account Manager in Namibia (2nd from left), with the flight crew.  Photo: Edelweiss

Edelweiss offers legroom and 'Biberli'

The Swiss Lufthansa subsidiary will initially fly to Namibia twice a week: on Mondays and Fridays (see also the Edelweiss website). Starting in mid-July, a third flight will be added on Wednesdays (see also the Namibian.org report from end of April). Edelweiss will continue to fly to Namibia until the end of October, the end of the high season.

The outbound flight departs from 10:05 a.m. to 7:40 p.m., and the return flight from 9:40 p.m. to 7:35 a.m. This means that Edelweiss passengers can begin their tour in Namibia refreshed the following morning. The morning arrival in Switzerland allows for convenient connections to onward travel by plane, train or public transport.

The nine-and-a-half-hour flight itself guarantees a relaxed start and end to your Namibian vacation. "The new route will be operated with the Airbus A350, the newest long-haul aircraft in the Edelweiss fleet," the airline writes in its press release.

"Thanks to larger windows, pleasant cabin lighting, and a modern sense of space, guests enjoy additional comfort." The 33-inch (almost 84 cm) seat pitch in Economy Class speaks for itself. Starting in 2027, the German sister airline Discover will offer an increase to 79 cm in its new 'Ocean Blue' cabin.

Comfort will be further enhanced with a new cabin starting in December 2026. This will include complimentary access to Starlink internet, 4K monitors (four times the resolution of a standard Full HD display), and a selection of over 400 movies and TV shows.

Edelweiss will then also offer Bluetooth audio, 60-watt USB-C and USB-A ports, as well as wireless charging (see webpage on the new A350 cabin).

True to the saying 'the way to a person's heart is through their stomach', as a parting gift the Edelweiss crew hands out... no, not (melting) Swiss chocolate. Instead, they give you a 'Biberli'. This is a Swiss gingerbread specialty. Don't expect Namibian.org to describe it – you have to taste it, or rather, let it melt in your mouth ;))

Will fly non-stop from Zurich to Windhoek, first twice a week and from mid-July three times a week, until the end of October 2026: an Airbus A350 from the Swiss airline Edelweiss.  Photo: Edelweiss