A look behind the scenes at the Airbus facilities in Toulouse

Toulouse – where high-tech aircraft are born

In Toulouse, southern France, inside a hangar the size of 15 football fields, an Airbus A350-900 is currently under construction – soon to take to the skies for SWISS. A visit to the site feels like a journey into the future of aviation. While some are still talking about more efficient and sustainable travel, here it is already becoming a reality – rivet by rivet, cable by cable.

We were there live and show you how individual components are turned into a modern long-haul aircraft – and why this aircraft marks a new chapter for SWISS.

Components from all over Europe – assembled in Toulouse

Before the new aircraft even begins to resemble a SWISS airplane, countless components are precisely assembled: fuselage sections, wings, systems and cabin elements arrive from 16 different Airbus sites across Europe - transported by the Airbus Beluga cargo aircraft.

In Toulouse, these components are carefully assembled in multiple stages along the Final Assembly Line (FAL). The three main fuselage sections are bolted and riveted, the landing gear is installed, and the wings and tail units are attached. Interior outfitting also starts at an early stage: galleys, toilets, partition walls and crew rest areas are installed – precisely at the moment when they’re easiest to fit into the aircraft.

As the assembly progresses, the aircraft is powered up for the first time. System tests begin, and at a certain stage, the aircraft can move under its own power. By then, it becomes unmistakably clear: an aircraft is coming to life.

Experiencing the cabin before it is built: the Mock-Up Centre

Long before the first rivet is set on the final assembly line, the Airbus A350-900 for SWISS is at the heart of an intensive concept work. The Airbus Mock-Up Centre features full-scale cabin models - fully equipped, lit, and accessible.

Airlines like SWISS use this environment to test various configurations: How does the class separation feel like? How can storage space, lighting and seat distribution be optimized?

The new Airspace cabin generation featured in the Airbus A350-900 is also on display - including its advanced lighting system. This is an key step for SWISS to adapt the cabin to its own standards and the expectations of its passengers.

Comfort designed with care

The Airbus A350-900 is considered a particularly comfortable aircraft – and for good reasons:

Its nearly vertical sidewalls offer a greater sense of spaciousness, cabin pressure is lower than in older aircraft models, and the air is better humidified. These factors help reduce typical long-haul discomforts such as dry eyes.

The lighting system has also been thoughtfully designed: LED lighting that adapts to the time of day supports passengers’ biorhythms and helps reduce jet lag. In addition, the engines of the Airbus A350-900 are among the quietest in their class – another key factor for a more peaceful onboard experience.

In Toulouse, the future of aviation takes shape

The visit to the Airbus facilities in Toulouse makes it clear: behind every aircraft lies an impressive and highly complex process. The new SWISS Airbus A350-900 is designed to make long-haul travel as comfortable as possible.