New A350 "Lausanne" Makes Palma First Flight — Swiss Launches Short-Haul Routes

New A350 "Lausanne" lands for the first time in Palma

On Saturday afternoon, with mild 24°C and a few clouds over the airport, a brand-new Airbus A350 from Zurich rolled into its parking position at Terminal A — the aircraft bears the name "Lausanne" and was on its first passenger flight toward Palma. If you happened to be at the ramp, you would have seen quiet applause and a few mobile videos. That's how it is here: small joys when such a giant arrives.

The airline is deliberately using the modern long-haul aircraft on European short-haul routes in the coming weeks. Destinations include Palma, as well as Prague, Hanover, Düsseldorf and Málaga. Why this? Pragmatically: The crew gains routine with the new type across many takeoffs and landings — and that saves training time, say airline officials.

Comfort, but not everything right away

For passengers, that means: Economy and Business can be booked as usual. The Premium Economy seats temporarily appear as Economy with more legroom — so no miracles, but noticeably more space. First Class, on the other hand, remains off the table for now: This service is optimized for long-haul flights and will not be offered on the short European routes.

On board, it's noticeable that the cabin looks more modern than in many short-haul jets. New upholstery, subdued lighting, larger storage compartments. Small details that stand out on a two- to three-hour flight: better headphones, quieter engine noise at takeoff, and cleaner air conditioning. Frequent flyers will notice the difference.

Implementation unfolds in steps

The airline apparently planned the introduction in stages: first the regular cabins, then progressively additional services. Ground staff and crew have trained intensively in recent months, airport teams coordinated baggage handling and gate layouts. The goal is simple: as disruption-free takeoffs and landings as possible, even if the new model isn't fully "in service" yet.

For the island, this is a small traffic upgrade. More cabin comfort on popular routes — especially in the off-season, a welcome side effect. Whether travelers will therefore choose a connection more often remains to be seen. On site, at the bus lanes in front of the terminal, the mood on Saturday was mainly one of satisfaction: "There was more space than expected," said a woman with a travel bag, before she boarded the bus to the city center.

Conclusion: A modern-looking aircraft, a cautious start in short-haul operations, and the usual mix of excitement and logistics work in the background. More comfort yes — but some offerings, such as First Class, remain exclusive to long-haul for now.