Swiss International Air Lines is moving forward with plans to permanently display its final Airbus A340-300 aircraft at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne after it is retired.
The Airbus A340-300 has supported long-haul routes for many years and will be the airline’s last four-engine aircraft. Swiss International Air Lines intends to donate the aircraft to the museum, where it would not only be displayed statically outdoors but would also feature an interior experience, becoming a new highlight of its aviation and space travel exhibition. The museum already has a Convair 990 “Coronado,” a four-engine long-haul aircraft formerly operated by Swiss International Air Lines, in its collection.
Martin Ettlinger, director of the Swiss Museum of Transport, said, “Acquiring an Airbus A340 would be a valuable opportunity to preserve and make accessible to the public an important part of Swiss aviation history. However, transporting an aircraft of this size to Lucerne would be an extremely large-scale and complex undertaking.” Jens Fehlinger, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Swiss International Air Lines, said, “For many years, the Airbus A340 connected people in Switzerland with the world and has itself become part of Swiss aviation history.”
The approximately 125-ton aircraft would need to be transported from Zurich Airport to Lucerne and precisely installed on the museum grounds. This would require feasibility studies, specialized transport methods, structural modifications, and coordination with authorities. The distance from the airport to the museum is about 70 kilometers. The aim is to bring the aircraft to Lucerne in early 2028.
The museum will bear the costs of transportation, required structural work, and creating the onboard exhibition. Current estimates range from several million to just under 10 million Swiss francs, and funding must be secured within the year. External funding from foundations, supporters, and companies is expected to form the main source of funding. A fundraising committee, which includes former Swiss International Air Lines CEO Christoph Franz, who is also president of the Swiss Museum of Transport Association, is holding discussions with potential supporters.
As a final decision will be made once transportation, permits, and funding have been arranged, it has not yet been decided whether the aircraft will actually be transported to the museum.
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