Summary

  • SWISS only has four remaining A340-300s.
  • The type will be used on five routes between August and December.
  • Given the type’s route network, SWISS has the world’s longest average A340 stage length.

There are few Airbus A340s left in the world. Despite only operating four of the exciting and characterful A340-300s, SWISS has the world’s fourth-highest number of flights by them. Only Lufthansa, Iran’s Mahan Air, and Edelweiss have more. Like any older equipment, the A340 has considerably higher fuel burn than the newer twin types. However, it is somewhat offset by much lower lease rates.

Just five SWISS routes

Based on the schedules SWISS submitted to Cirium, the carrier’s A340-300 network is limited, as expected. Between August and December, there are just five routes from its Zurich hub, including seasonal offerings. Most excitingly, there are a few roundtrips on the domestic hop to Geneva, temporarily becoming the world’s shortest scheduled A340 service.

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It has become the world’s shortest bookable A340 service, but it doesn’t hang around for long.

As mentioned earlier, SWISS has the fourth-highest number of A340 flights globally. Part of the reason for this is its average stage length. Despite the addition of Geneva, which pulls it down a bit, its average length is a whopping 4,585 nautical miles (8,490 km). That’s longer than any other A340 operator, with South African Airways in second place (4,068 nautical miles, 7,533 km).

Zurich to…

A340 plan: August-December (as of July 12 and subject to change)

Geneva

Just eight A340 roundtrips: August 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27

Johannesburg

Daily year-round A340

Miami

Winter seasonal A340. The type returns on October 27 and frequencies will vary per week

Seoul Incheon

Summer seasonal A340. Operates three times weekly until October 25 (Zurich departure)

Shanghai Pudong

Daily A340. Frequencies reduce at times in November/December

SWISS Airbus A340-300 departing Zurich Airport ZRH shutterstock_218604841

Photo: Natali Glado | Shutterstock

How has it changed versus 2023?

It is worth briefly comparing SWISS’s A340 network in August-December 2024 to the same five months in 2023. Schedule analysis shows that it had 401 departures from Zurich, now down to 383. Departures have fallen by 4%, mainly because of fewer short-haul services.

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Which do you think feature?

The type’s network has changed dramatically in a short time. Then, the following routes were all served – sometimes very temporarily. Such routes include Boston; if you blink, you’ll miss the A340 in the image below the bullet points.

  • Zurich-Hong Kong: six weekly A340 August-December 2023
  • Zurich-Johannesburg: daily until October 28 (Zurich departure)
  • Zurich-Montreal: five weekly until October 27 (Zurich departure)
  • Zurich-Shanghai Pudong: a tiny number of flights in August/September/October, then six weekly in November/December
  • Zurich-Palma: 24 departures, particularly on Saturdays and Mondays, until October
  • Zurich-Malaga: 13 departures, especially on Saturdays and Fridays, in August/September
  • Zurich-Athens: August 24, September 2, 9, 16
  • Zurich-Miami: December 14, 18, 20, 27
  • Zurich-Porto: September 17, 24
  • Zurich-Boston: December 25 (Merry Christmas!)
  • Zurich-Geneva: September 30
  • Zurich-Chicago O’Hare: December 21
SWISS Boston December 25 2024

The considerable network shift in so little time provides a reminder, if needed, of how dramatically things can change in the airline business and the world generally. Therefore, grab whatever opportunity presents itself as it may be gone – if not tomorrow, then soon.

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