The Swiss Airbus A340
Yep, planning for Widebody Weekend 3 is underway for June 15th and 16th 2024!
Following the roaring success of Widebody Weekend 2 the group is once again planning 2024's exciting 'fly on a widebody domestically' - just for fun and the novelty of it all!
This time, we're flying the 90's stalwart Airbus A340-300 of Swiss Airlines.
What's it all about?
If you're like me and so many others, where spare time is limited, you love wide bodies but don't get the time to fly long haul which is typically where widebody aircraft are deployed, then you're in the right place!
Over the summer months particularly, for various reasons, European airlines dispatch widebody airliners such as the Airbus A330, A340 and A350 on domestic and short European routes. Heck, for Widebody Weekend 1, we even flew the giant Airbus A380 to Madrid!
So, we get excited when we see these opportunities.
What's so special about the Swiss Airbus A340?
Well, if you know your aircraft, you'll know that the Airbus A340, just like the Boeing 757 and other iconic aircraft, are rapidly heading out to the scrapyard. The A340 whilst legendary in its time, is now costly to fly compared to the new kids on the block and like any ageing machine, parts are sought after to keep them healthy. Due to this, Swiss has plans to retire all of its A340's by mid-2025 to be replaced with A350 and 787 aircraft. So, as I have said in the past with the Jet2 757 in Europe, get an A340 while you can..which is what we're doing here!
Itinerary
The whole itinerary is still being worked through but here are the confirmed plans:
Friday 14th June
- Some of the group staying at Heathrow hotels - hotels to be confirmed
Saturday 15th June:
- Today you will need to get yourself to Zurich, as our A340 flight departs Zurich tomorrow morning (Sunday) at 0725 (Swiss time).
- Zurich airport hotel stay required, TBA
Sunday 16th June:
- Flight LX2802 - Airbus A340-300
- Depart Zurich 0725
- Arrive Geneva 0830
Assuming you're flying from Heathrow..here are some cheap options to get you to Zurich:
Flight Option 1
Swiss flight LX327
Depart Heathrow Terminal 2: 1840 (UK time)
Arrive Zurich: 2125 (Swiss time)
NOTE: For those who know him, YouTuber Noel Philips is hosting an away day for his Patreon supporters on Saturday 15th June. If you are likely attending this event, you'd be advised to book this flight..not the Madrid option, as you won't have time to do Flight Option 2
£122 Economy (as at February '24)
Flight Option 2 (Bonus A330 flight to Madrid)
Iberia flight IB3175
Depart Heathrow Terminal 5: 1050 (UK time)
Arrive Madrid: 1415 (Spain time)
Iberia flight IB3474
Depart Madrid: 1635 (Spain time)
Arrive Zurich: 1855 (Swiss time)
£81 Economy for both flights (as at February '24)
NOTE: The Iberia A330 no longer leaves from T3 at Heathrow - it has moved back to T5 - so no T3 lounge crawl sadly!
Q&A
"I don't like Economy so I'm not going!"
Whoa there you angry little man..don't be so hasty!
We're talking long haul luxury here so whilst you can't book into First, you can book full flat business class..
"How can I book business class?"
You have two options:
1) 'Bid up' - put a bid in once you've booked Economy - bids start at 90 CHF
2) If the option still exists at the time you book, pay 110 CHF and guarantee your Business Class seat (seat map to the right)
"Should I book business class?"
If you can, yes, because none of the group has Star Alliance status so the only way to join others in the Zurich lounge will be by holding a business class ticket. Swiss has its own lounge in Zurich which does not accept the third party cards such as Priority Pass, Dragonpass etc.
"Doesn't the A340 dry you out?"
Oh God, not you again..no, that's the 777 (so legend has it)
"I've never met anyone in your group..I'm a bit scared to come along"
We're all just avgeeks who do these trips for fun. Come along. I'd love to meet you!
"Swiss might change the aircraft at the last minute back to a narrow body"
Yes, that's true, they might. That's the risk you take with any of these trips
"How do I get back home from Geneva?"
easyJet, Iberia, BA, amongst others fly all over Europe from Geneva. If you want the ultimate widebody finish to your weekend, Ethiopian operates a daily A350 to Manchester (flight ET728, a fifth freedom route)
The Swiss A340-300 Business Class seat map