Tested Economy Max vs. Business Class in Edelweiss' new Airbus A350

In the context of the first flight with the new A350 of Edelweiss to Tenerife (Travelnews reported), Travelnews had the opportunity to test both the Economy Max and the Business Class on the new A350. The cabin has 30 business, 63 economy max and 246 economy seats.

The modern cabin gives a feeling of space and calm as soon as you enter it. The so-called «Airspace» cabin is particularly spacious. Economy Max seats, arranged in a 3-3-3 layout, are situated directly behind Business Class, which is separated by a partition. This location offers convenient proximity to both the aircraft's entrance and exit.

Maximum comfort in economy

I take a seat in the Economy Max and am surprised at how much legroom I have despite my height. The distance between the seats in the Economy Max is ten centimeters greater than in the normal Economy class. The seats can recline about five centimeters further than standard, offering slightly more comfort. However, the distance to neighboring passengers remains the same. As a result, the middle seat continues to be the least popular, offering no additional lateral space.

The large windows are striking and even allow you to see something of the outside world from the middle row. These are 30 percent larger than usual and flood the cabin with plenty of natural light. Enhanced onboard ventilation makes the cabin air noticeably fresher throughout the entire flight aboard Edelweiss's new A350.

On the runway, it is already clear that the A350 is significantly quieter than its predecessor. Take-off is pleasantly quiet, and low noise levels are maintained throughout the flight, making it easy to read or rest undisturbed. Entertainment needs are well met with the comprehensive inflight system. Music lovers can enjoy over 100 albums and playlists during the flight. A fun highlight is the interactive map, which lets you track your journey and see the aircraft from different angles.

Pressurized cabin

It's not just the low noise levels that make the flight more enjoyable — the improved cabin pressure also makes a real difference. Even after spending eight hours on board, I barely felt a headache, which is rare for me. The A350 is designed so that the cabin pressure corresponds to the air pressure at an altitude of about 1800 meters – by comparison, in many other aircraft this is around 2400 meters. I was surprised at how much more rested I felt after landing.

The food was as tasty as ever. In both Economy Max and Economy, passengers were served a potato and cucumber salad followed by a slice of apple cake. While the wooden cutlery isn't my favorite, it's part of the eco-friendly experience aboard the new A350, which is necessarily more sustainable than its predecessor. In Economy Max, all alcoholic beverages are complimentary — except for champagne. And to top things off, the signature Appenzeller Biberli adds a sweet Swiss touch to the Edelweiss flight to Tenerife.

The vacation begins on the plane

While Economy Max is a great choice, Business Class truly sets the tone for a relaxing holiday the moment you board. Bright, spacious, and thoughtfully designed, the cabin creates an immediate sense of comfort. I settled into a middle seat in the 2-2-2 layout and was surprised by how roomy it felt. The comfortable seat transforms into a 1.87-meter-long bed, and with a 19-inch screen in front of you, it's easy to feel right at home — like lounging on your own sofa.

With water and refreshing towels at the ready, the vacation (or in my case, the trip home) can begin in a relaxed manner. The films and music from the Economy Class are also available here and offer the best in entertainment. The headphones provided can also be used for noise cancellation for those who like it a little quieter. If needed, the crew also has an adapter for your own headphones.

Shortly after takeoff, the crew begins service with aperitifs, a light snack, and your choice of drinks. Not long after, it's time to pick your main course. The options on my flight were beef ragout with polenta and vegetables, or leek ravioli in a creamy sauce — I went with the ravioli.

The aperitif is followed by the first culinary highlight: the attentive crew serves a vitello tonnato with carrot salad as a starter. I'll admit, it was a relief to leave the wooden cutlery behind — in Business Class, meals are served with proper stainless steel cutlery.

The main course definitely lived up to the anticipation — the ravioli was absolutely delicious and exceeded my expectations. The menu was rounded off with a crème brûlée and a praline of your choice from Confiserie Beschle.

Conclusion

The additional amenities in an Economy Max seat significantly increase the comfort of a long-haul flight. More privacy and, above all, considerably more space make the additional cost worthwhile. The greater angle of the backrest provides additional comfort and, above all, makes sleeping easier. A seat in Economy Max is available for a surcharge of 129 francs each way – an investment that definitely pays off on long flights.

However, if only middle seats are available, you should be aware that there is no additional distance between you and the person sitting next to you – so it remains just as cramped on the left and right as in regular Economy. In this case, it is up to each passenger to decide whether a window or aisle seat in regular Economy would not be the more pleasant option.

If you can afford to travel at the front of the plane, you should definitely take the opportunity. In the business class of the new Edelweiss A350, your vacation starts as soon as you board: the modern «Airspace» cabin ensures a particularly pleasant travel experience – so you arrive at your destination refreshed and relaxed. Even travelers who are not entirely comfortable with the 2-2-2 configuration will find that there is enough space to get up and reach the aisle comfortably.

It should be noted that the cabin of the Edelweiss A350 will be completely redesigned in 2026. The current seating was taken over from Latam Airlines, the previous owner. Edelweiss will present the new cabin product next winter.