Special cargo on an inaugural flight – Music to our ears
In case we did not make the arrival of our 1st A350 with the special ‘Wanderlust’ livery special enough, here is an exciting behind-the-scenes look at Cargo on its 1st long-haul flight to Boston on 20 November.
Over the years, many musical instruments have traveled with SWISS WorldCargo to international destinations. 20 November marked another musical day for our division, since a beautiful and valuable cello left the city of Reghin in Romania on its way to Zurich, before embarking on its final journey to its new owner in the United States of America in the belly of our brand-new A350 aircraft.
Reghin, known as “the City of Violins,” is a place with a unique craft tradition in Romania. Here, the art of violin making has been passed down from generation to generation, turning the town into a renowned center for the construction of musical instruments – especially violins, cellos, and double basses. The town’s atmosphere preserves the charm of Transylvania, with quiet streets, historic buildings, and people passionate about music. Reghin harmoniously blends history, culture, and craftsmanship, becoming a place where the sound of wood comes to life.
In fact, as early as the 1920s, several highly respected luthiers distinguished themselves in the country. Since wood for instruments and keyboards was processed in Reghin, and because the region was known for its resonance spruce and maple with acoustic qualities recognized worldwide, in 1950 the foundations were laid in Reghin for a workshop dedicated to the construction of string instruments. After 1990, a new generation of luthiers opened several private workshops, some of which later developed into factories with series production. Today, Reghin continues to produce a wide range of instruments, from student-level models to maestro-grade instruments. Towards the late 1990s, some companies began their activity in the field of air transport in this area, focusing mainly on the shipment of musical instruments manufactured in Reghin.
We are glad to have played an important part in securing the heritage of these special instruments, by transporting the cello with a complex yet solid chain of logistics, a dedicated handling process, and particular extra care for the customer’s peace of mind.
Cargo transported silently for a louder joy
There is something poetic about transporting these special shipments: this singular instrument travels quietly in the aircraft’s belly, carefully protected. It carries not just wood and strings, but music waiting to be heard.
From time-critical consignments to high value shipments and temperature-sensitive perishables, cargo delivered on time and in perfect condition becomes a thank-you, a tradition, or a musical celebration. Supported by our global network and reliable operational expertise, each shipment follows a carefully coordinated journey. By the time the cargo reaches its destination, the journey is invisible – and yet the louder joy it is meant to bring is just about to start.
Welcome in the belly of SWISS’ first A350
The world is more connected than ever, giving rise to global supply chains that must operate with precision and efficiency, like clockwork. This has increased demand for streamlined, faster, and reliable cargo transportation. Thanks to the brand new A350 aircraft that joined SWISS’ fleet in 2025, SWISS WorldCargo has a valuable opportunity to meet its customers’ demands even better. The A350 aircraft can carry up to 22 tons of cargo even with a full passenger load, making it one of SWISS WorldCargo’s cargo powerhouses alongside the Boeing 777-300ER. Its cargo hold has over 240 tie-down points for securing ULDs and cargo, keeping your shipments safe during transport.
Thanks to innovations such as the A350, we have been able to care for cargo carrying comfort, celebration, heritage, and much more throughout the past year. And in 2026, we will continue the same care for every shipment entrusted to us. We care for your cargo.
