Media Release

Cape Town, 04th July 2014

More flexibility and choice for travelers: Edelweiss to increase its seasonal non-stop service from Cape Town to Zurich to three weekly flights

Edelweiss, Switzerland’s leading leisure airline, is increasing its seasonal non-stop schedule between Cape Town and Zurich from two to three weekly frequencies. Flights will operate during the South African summer season each Wednesday, in addition to the already existing flights on Tuesdays and Fridays.

“This is a direct result of the increase in demand and popularity for our flights since the start of operation in 2011”, explains Alain Chisari, Edelweiss Chief Commercial Officer. “The third weekly flight will operate every Wednesday between 03 December 2014 and 11 March 2015 to cover the peak season”, adds Chisari. This means over a period of three months, Edelweiss will increase their capacity by over 30% to and from the mother city. Furthermore, the additional flight will be operated by an Airbus A330-300 from the airline’s sister company Swiss International Air Lines. Operated by Edelweiss crew, the aircraft is equipped with 52 fully lie-flat seats in business class and 183 seats in economy class.

The airline’s long haul fleet is currently undergoing refurbishment to significantly improve the cabin. Edelweiss Business Class is being equipped with lie-flat seats and a new in-flight entertainment system including sixteen inch screens. Concurrently, Edelweiss is introducing a new premium economy class called Economy Max that will offer passengers fifteen centimetres more legroom as well as many other amenities to ensure a comfortable flight. Edelweiss Economy Class is also receiving a makeover with new seats and a new in-flight entertainment system with touch screen technology. By the end of October when the seasonal flights kick in, the cabin refurbishment will have been completed.

The possibility of combining the daily SWISS flights from Johannesburg to Zurich with the Edelweiss service to/from Cape Town offers the South African traveler more choices and alternatives.

Edelweiss flights from Cape Town can be booked at www.swiss.com or through any travel agency. For more information, visit www.flyedelweiss.com.

About Edelweiss

Since 2008, Edelweiss is a member of the Lufthansa Group and sister company to Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS). More than 1.3 million passengers a year enjoy flying with Edelweiss, Switzerland’s leading leisure airline, to the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations. The Edelweiss head office is at Zurich Airport with Karl Kistler serving as Chief Executive Officer. Edelweiss’s motto “Der Sonne entgegen” (Flying to the sunshine) means not only over forty top destinations reached non-stop from Zurich, but also embodies the warmth and cordiality with which Edelweiss passengers are welcomed on board. In recent years, Edelweiss has earned numerous awards for the high quality of its services. The airline’s globally distinctive mark is the famous alpine flower which adorns the Swiss mountain peaks and represents the “little extra” that makes Edelweiss so special.

Further information:

Andreas Meier
Head of Corporate Communications
Edelweiss Air AG
media@flyedelweiss.com