Edelweiss A320 Seat Selection Guide (2026)

The catch: two exit rows, and only one reclines

The A320 has two pairs of overwing exits, at rows 11 and 12, and both rows have extra legroom — about 33in or more against about 28in in the rest of economy. On a seat map they look identical. They are not.

Row 11 does not fully recline, because row 12’s exit path is behind it. Neither does row 10. Row 12 reclines normally and has the same legroom, so it is the best economy row on every Edelweiss A320, whichever version you get. 12B to 12E have no other drawback; 12A and 12F are window seats over the wing. If the extra-legroom fee is the same for both rows, there is no reason to take row 11.

The same is true on the SWISS A320neo, where Edelweiss’s first A320neo came from: rows 10 and 11 stay upright, row 12 reclines.

The version lottery: 174 or 180 seats

Edelweiss flies most of its A320s with 174 seats in 29 rows. Three aircraft that came over from SWISS have 180 seats in 30 rows: the A320s HB-JLP and HB-JLQ, and HB-JDB, Edelweiss’s first A320neo, which entered service in April 2026. Edelweiss has announced more A320neos by 2028; whether they arrive in this layout is not yet known.

The 180-seat jets do not squeeze the rows closer together. They gain a row by moving the rear lavatories behind the back doors, into the tail. That makes a real difference to which seats are bad:

So which is worse? The 180-seat jets have six more passengers sharing the same number of lavatories, but at the back they are the better aircraft: only row 38 sits against the lavatories, where the 174-seat jets have twelve red-rated seats across rows 36 and 37. The one bad surprise is on HB-JLP and HB-JLQ, where 38A and 38F have no window — just wall. On the A320neo the same seats have a window, set slightly forward of the seat.

How to tell which version you are on

Look for row 38 on the seat map. If the map ends at row 37, it is a 174-seat A320. If it runs to row 38, it is one of the three 180-seat jets. Flight-tracking apps usually show the registration a day or so before departure: HB-JLP or HB-JLQ is a 180-seat A320, HB-JDB is the A320neo, and any other Edelweiss A320 is the 174-seat layout. Aircraft swaps happen, so check again close to the day if the back row matters to you.

Economy: the best seats

Row 12, for the reasons above. After that, the best value on the aircraft is at the front. The first rows have about 31in of pitch, three more than the rest of economy, because they double as Business. Rows 1 to 3 are usually Business, so on most flights rows 4 and 5 are the economy seats that get it, and 4B–4E and 5A–5F are rated green. On HB-JLP and HB-JLQ the seat plan shows the whole cabin as economy, so rows 2 and 3 may be on offer as well. When a flight sells a lot of Business, the curtain moves back and these rows go with it, so book early.

Rows 6 to 10 have about 29in, a little more than the 28in behind the wing. For a window, 7A, 7F, 33A and 33F have the best-aligned windows on every version, and on the 180-seat jets 30A and 30F as well. Rows 9 to 17 look out over the wing.

Economy: the seats to avoid

Row 11, the first exit row: it does not fully recline, and you pay for the legroom. Row 10, in front of it, does not fully recline either and has no extra legroom.

The back. On the 174-seat A320s, rows 36 and 37 sit against the rear lavatories and are rated red, row 37 does not recline, and row 35 gets the queue. On the 180-seat jets the problem is row 38: no recline, a lavatory and the galley behind, and on HB-JLP and HB-JLQ no window at 38A and 38F. 37A to 37D on those jets also have the galley behind them.

Misaligned windows: 4A, 4F, 6A, 6F, 14A and 14F have the window set behind the seat on every version, as do 32A, 35A and 35F on the 174-seat jets and 29A, 29F, 32A and 32F on the 180-seat ones.

Business: the same seat, middle blocked

Edelweiss Business on the A320 is the European kind: the same 3-3 seat as economy, with the B and E middle seats left empty and a curtain behind the Business rows that moves forward or back depending on how many people have booked. Usually that is rows 1 to 3. What you are paying for is the empty seat beside you and the extra pitch of the front rows, not a bigger seat.

Row 1 is the bulkhead: the tray table is in the armrest, and 1C to 1F are beside the forward galley, with the light and noise of meal service. Rows 2 and 3 are the quieter choice.

Where you will fly it from Zurich

Edelweiss uses the A320 family on its leisure network from Zurich: the Greek islands, Spain, Portugal and Italy in summer, North Africa and the Canary Islands, and in winter Lapland, Northern Norway and Cape Verde. Many of these are three- to six-hour flights, which is a long time at 28in of pitch with no seatback screen. On a Canaries or Cape Verde run, row 12 or rows 4–5 are worth paying for. Bring your own entertainment and a charged device.

For long-haul holidays, Edelweiss flies the A350-900, which is moving to a new cabin through 2027.

Quick-pick summary

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best exit row on the Edelweiss A320?

Row 12. Rows 11 and 12 both have extra legroom, but row 11 does not fully recline because of the exit behind it. Row 12 reclines normally.

How many seats does the Edelweiss A320 have?

Most have 174 seats in rows 1 to 37. HB-JLP, HB-JLQ and the A320neo HB-JDB have 180 seats in rows 1 to 38. Check the seat map for row 38.

Does Edelweiss fly the A320neo?

Yes. Its first A320neo, HB-JDB, joined from SWISS in April 2026 with 180 seats, and Edelweiss has announced more by 2028.

What is Edelweiss Business on the A320?

The same 3-3 seat as economy with the middle seat left empty, in the front rows behind a movable curtain. Rows 2 and 3 are the best choice.

Which Edelweiss A320 seats have no window?

38A and 38F on HB-JLP and HB-JLQ, the last row of the 180-seat A320s. The 174-seat A320s have none.

Does the Edelweiss A320 have Wi-Fi or screens?

There are no seatback screens, and no Wi-Fi is recorded on any of the three versions. Bring your own entertainment.