Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and the Swiss Museum of Transport are collaborating on a project to preserve one of the airline's last Airbus A340-300 aircraft. Under current plans, once the four-engined aircraft reaches the end of its operational life, it will be donated to the museum in Lucerne to serve as a permanent outdoor exhibit in front of the Aviation and Space Travel Hall. The airline stated that it hopes to have the aircraft positioned at the museum by early 2028.
The retirement of the Airbus A340-300 will mark the end of an era for SWISS, as it is the last remaining four-engined aircraft type in the carrier's fleet. SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger remarked that the aircraft has connected Switzerland with the world for many years, becoming a significant part of Swiss aviation history. The museum plans to transform the interior of the aircraft into a walkthrough visitor experience, making it a new centerpiece of its permanent exhibition alongside a former Swissair Convair 990 'Coronado'.
However, the initiative faces significant technical and logistical challenges. The aircraft weighs approximately 125 tons and must be transported overland from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to the museum grounds in Lucerne. This complex undertaking will require detailed feasibility studies, specialized transportation solutions, structural modifications to the museum site, and close coordination with Swiss authorities. Martin Ettlinger, Director of the Swiss Museum of Transport, described the project as an enormous and highly complex task.
The project also requires substantial financial backing. While SWISS is donating the aircraft itself, the museum must cover the costs of transport, site preparation, and the interior visitor exhibit. The total cost is currently estimated at a high single-digit million figure. A fundraising committee led by Christoph Franz, President of the Swiss Museum of Transport Association, is seeking sponsors. Funding must be secured by the end of 2026, and a final decision will depend on transportation, permitting, and complete financing.
