Zurich Airport
Zurich is a central hub for the financial and banking sectors, making its airport a vital part of the region's economy. Considered one of the best airports in Europe, Zurich Airport is located just 11 minutes by train from the city centre and is easily accessible by car or train.
Services offered by Zurich Airport
Whether you're on a layover or visiting the Swiss mountains, Zurich Airport boasts over 80 shops open every day of the year. These stores allow you to make the most of your wait by shopping and discovering the treasures of Switzerland. With more than 30 million passengers annually, the airport handles over 22,000 flights per month (August 2023) and serves more than 70 countries, hosting over 122 airlines across its three terminals.
Zurich Airport offers all its passengers quality Wi-Fi, valet services, and car rental agencies. Travellers on layovers or departing can take advantage of the many nearby hotels to prepare for their journey without stress. Also, enjoy your time at Zurich Airport by tasting some fine Swiss chocolate and shopping in the duty-free stores before your departure.
Your rights at Zurich Airport
During a flight, you may experience a disruption that affects your journey. The EC 261 regulation entitles you to compensation in cases of delay, cancellation, or overbooking. Under certain conditions outlined by this regulation, you can enforce your rights and claim compensation for the inconvenience caused.
Compensation amounts
A flight delay , cancellation , or overbooking entitles you to compensation from the airline. The amount of the compensation varies depending on the distance of the journey and the duration.
Below are the compensation amounts you may be entitled to.
- For a flight of 1,500 km or less: you may be entitled to compensation of €125 for less than 2 hours delay or €250 for 2 hours delay or more.
- For an intra-European Union flight of more than 1,500 km: you may be entitled to €200 compensation for less than 2 hours delay or €400 for 3 hours delay or more.
- For a flight outside the European Union of 1,500 to 3,500 km: you may be entitled to €200 compensation for less than 2 hours delay or €400 for 3 hours delay or more.
- For a flight outside the European Union of more than 3,500 km: you may be entitled to €300 compensation for less than 2 hours delay or €600 for more than 4 hours delay.
Which flights are covered by EC Regulation 261/2004?
The European Union implemented the EC 261 regulation to protect passengers whose flights have been delayed, cancelled or overbooked. There are two scenarios that automatically entitle you to compensation.
- Passengers whose arrival airport is located within the European Union can claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight, regardless of the airline's nationality or destination.
- Passengers departing from a non-EU country, but whose final destination and airline are within the European Union.
Strike at Zurich Airport
Airline staff strikes can cause disruptions to your flight. The EC 261 regulation allows you to file a claim and receive compensation . Note that airport staff strikes are not covered by EC 261 and do not entitle you to compensation.
Compensation for a flight delay at Zurich Airport
A flight delay entitles you to compensation for the inconvenience caused. The EC 261 regulation outlines the conditions under which a compensation claim can be made. If a delay of more than 2 hours occurs at an airport within the European Union, passengers on a delayed flight can file a claim.
The EC 261 regulation only covers flights delayed due to specific conditions (a technical fault or operational issue) for which the airline is responsible. Note that extraordinary circumstances generally do not entitle you to compensation.
Claim compensation for a cancelled flight at Zurich Airport
The EC 261 regulation allows passengers affected by delays or cancellations to receive financial compensation. To be eligible for compensation due to a disruption, the cancellation must have occurred less than 14 days before departure. This is because the regulation considers that travellers did not have sufficient time to find an alternative solution.
If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you an alternative flight or a full refund of your ticket. If you choose the alternative flight, your fixed compensation will be calculated based on the flight distance and the estimated delay upon arrival. The compensation amount can be up to €600 per passenger. Note that the compensation amount varies depending on the delay duration and flight distance.
Overbooking at Zurich Airport
Overbooking or overselling means the airline has sold more tickets than there are seats available on the plane. If you find yourself in this situation, you can file a compensation claim with your airline.
Note that you must not be one of the volunteers who agree not to board in order to claim compensation.
- The compensation amount depends on the journey's distance. For a flight up to 1500 km, you can claim a maximum of €250.
- For a flight distance between 1500 and 3500 km, you can claim up to €400 compensation.
- For an EU flight distance over 3500 km, the maximum compensation is €400, and €600 for a journey between the EU and a non-EU country.
What to do in case of a problem during a flight at Zurich Airport?
If your flight has been disrupted, remember to keep the following documents for your claim.
- Booking documents: ticket reservation, e-ticket, purchase receipt of the flight ticket
- Boarding pass (email, SMS, or paper)
- Receipts and tickets for purchases made while waiting at the airport
- Request a delay or cancellation certificate from the airline
Delayed assists you in case of a flight disruption at Zurich Airport
Have you experienced a delay, cancellation or overbooking on your flight? Don't worry, Delayed and its team of professionals are here to help you with your compensation claim. We handle all the administrative procedures for you from start to finish. Once the claim is approved, you receive your compensation and can plan your next stop at Zurich Airport.