Zurich Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Bohdana Nosenok
19.08.2024
Updated 16.05.2025

Flight cancellations and delays are the most common issues faced by travelers. Fortunately, the European Union has EU 261 regulation, which ensures that you, as a passenger, are not left in a difficult situation and that your rights are protected. The European Union Regulation 261/2004 specifies the conditions under which passengers are entitled to compensation and assistance in cases of flight disruption.

Here, you will find everything you need to know about EU 261 regulation and when you are eligible for compensation.

Passenger Rights under EU 261/2004

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers departing from or arriving at Zurich Airport on flights operated by EU-based airlines have certain rights if they experience significant cancellations or delays. These rights include:

  • Food and drinks: Airlines must provide proper refreshments and snacks during the waiting period.
  • Access to means of communication: Passengers should be offered two free phone calls, emails, or faxes.
  • Hotel accommodation if necessary: When an overnight stay is needed, the airline is obligated to provide accommodation and transportation to and from the hotel.
  • Ticket refund or alternative flight: Travelers have the option to select from a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight to their final destination.
  • Compensation: Based on the flight distance and length of delay, passengers could qualify for financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600.

Zurich Airport Flight Delay Compensation

Flyers encountering flight delays at Zurich Airport could be eligible for compensation of up to 600 euros per person, especially if the delay lasts longer than three hours. The eligibility for compensation is determined by the reason for the delay and whether it complies with UK and EU laws. The amount of compensation is calculated on the time of arrival at the destination rather than departure time and is influenced by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay.

Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursDistance
€0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km
€0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Keep in mind that airlines are not required to provide compensation for delays resulting from extraordinary circumstances beyond their control.

Zurich Airport Flight Cancellation Compensation

In case of a flight cancellation causing inconvenience at the Zurich Airport, according to EU 261/2004, travelers may receive compensation of up to €600 if the airline notifies them of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure.

Nevertheless, there are exceptions to this regulation. The airline might be exempt from compensating passengers if it provides an alternative flight that meets certain criteria, letting you arrive at your destination with the minimal delay possible:

Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

Compensation could still be available even when you accept an alternative flight, provided your arrival at the final destination is significantly delayed. The compensation amount is calculated by the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay. You can check this table to figure out the amount of compensation you are eligible for:

Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance
€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less
€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Keep in mind that airlines typically don’t offer compensation for flight cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances outside their control, such as extreme weather conditions or strikes by air traffic controllers.

Which Zurich Airport Flights are Covered by EU261?

When you’re departing from an airport in the European Union and flying with an airline flight originating in the EU, you are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation guarantees that you have certain rights in the event of a delay, flight cancellation, denied boarding, and other similar situations. Here’s a more detailed table of which cases are covered under EU Regulation 261 and which are not:

ItineraryEU AirlineNon-EU Airline
Departures from Zurich Airport to anywhereYesYes
Arrivals at Zurich Airport from inside the EUYesNo
Arrivals at Zurich Airport from outside the EUYesNo

How to Claim Compensation from Zurich Airport

Flight cancellations and delays are common due to factors such as bad weather, air traffic congestion, technical problems, or staffing issues. If you experience a flight disruption at Zurich Airport, you could be eligible for compensation under EU 261/2004.

To initiate your compensation claim, take the following steps:

  1. Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
  2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You are only charged if we win your case.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations

Was your flight delayed or cancelled? Find your flight in the table below and use our claims checker to see if you are eligible for compensation.

Did not find your flight in our table? Fill in our compensation form, and we will check it for you.

Date Airline (Flight number) Route Status Your compensation

29.05.202512:25

Air Baltic

1372

Zurich (ZRH)

John Paul II Balice International (KRK)

delayed

Claim Refund

29.05.202512:25

Alitalia

3874

Zurich (ZRH)

John Paul II Balice International (KRK)

delayed

Claim Refund

29.05.202512:25

LOT – Polish Airlines

5068

Zurich (ZRH)

John Paul II Balice International (KRK)

delayed

Claim Refund

29.05.202507:10

Air Canada

6758

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

29.05.202507:10

SWISS

2250

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

28.05.202517:40

TAP Air Portugal

8446

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

28.05.202517:40

SWISS

2258

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

28.05.202512:25

United Airlines

9778

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

28.05.202512:25

Air Canada

6852

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

28.05.202512:25

Air Baltic

2254

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202509:00

SWISS

4546

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

27.05.202507:25

SWISS

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202521:15

easyJet

5190

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202518:20

Air Baltic

978

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202518:00

Helvetic Airways

1026

Zurich (ZRH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202517:40

Helvetic Airways

2258

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202517:40

TAP Air Portugal

8446

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202516:30

SWISS

970

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202515:40

Eurowings

9763

Zurich (ZRH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202515:40

SWISS

4400

Zurich (ZRH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202515:40

Air Canada

6929

Zurich (ZRH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:40

Private owner

426

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202513:35

Helvetic Airways

968

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202512:25

Air Baltic

2254

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202512:25

Air Canada

6852

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202512:25

United Airlines

9778

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202510:40

SWISS

8280

Zurich (ZRH)

Nordela (São Miguel Island) (PDL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202510:40

Edelweiss Air

280

Zurich (ZRH)

Nordela (São Miguel Island) (PDL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202510:40

Lufthansa

4522

Zurich (ZRH)

Nordela (São Miguel Island) (PDL)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202507:40

SWISS

5186

Zurich (ZRH)

M. R. Štefánika (BTS)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202507:25

Air Canada

6794

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202507:25

SWISS

786

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202507:25

Air India

7735

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202507:10

Air Canada

6758

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

26.05.202507:10

SWISS

2250

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202517:55

Brussels Airlines

5114

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202517:55

SWISS

788

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202517:50

SWISS

918

Zurich (ZRH)

Dresden Airport (DRS)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202517:45

SWISS

854

Zurich (ZRH)

Bremen (BRE)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202516:55

VistaJet

624

Zurich (ZRH)

Palese (BRI)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202512:55

Singapore Airlines

2980

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202512:55

Brussels Airlines

5108

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202512:55

Helvetic Airways

780

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202512:55

Air Canada

6779

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202512:55

Cathay Pacific

6601

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202512:25

United Airlines

9778

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202512:25

Air Canada

6852

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

25.05.202512:25

SWISS

2254

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202518:40

empty

Zurich (ZRH)

Friedrichshafen (FDH)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202517:40

Helvetic Airways

2258

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202517:40

TAP Air Portugal

8446

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202517:05

SWISS

1024

Zurich (ZRH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202512:40

Singapore Airlines

2980

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202512:40

Brussels Airlines

5108

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202512:40

Helvetic Airways

780

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202512:40

ANA

6757

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202512:40

Air Canada

6779

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202512:40

Cathay Pacific

6601

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202512:25

Air Canada

6852

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

24.05.202512:25

Helvetic Airways

2254

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202518:00

B.J. Aviation

671

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202517:40

TAP Air Portugal

8446

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202517:40

Helvetic Airways

2258

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202507:30

Edelweiss Air

1016

Zurich (ZRH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202507:10

Air Baltic

2250

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

23.05.202507:10

Air Canada

6758

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202518:45

NetJets Europe

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202518:20

Air Baltic

978

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202517:55

Air Baltic

854

Zurich (ZRH)

Bremen (BRE)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202517:55

Brussels Airlines

5114

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202517:55

SWISS

788

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202517:40

Helvetic Airways

2258

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202517:40

TAP Air Portugal

8446

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202517:30

Air Baltic

982

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202512:30

United Airlines

9732

Zurich (ZRH)

Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202512:30

SWISS

242

Zurich (ZRH)

Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202511:35

Pegasus

948

Zurich (ZRH)

Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202511:30

AJet

54

Zurich (ZRH)

Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202507:30

SWISS

1016

Zurich (ZRH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202507:30

Air India

7703

Zurich (ZRH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202507:20

SWISS

974

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

22.05.202507:20

Air Canada

6802

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202520:15

Brussels Airlines

2732

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202520:15

SWISS

4556

Zurich (ZRH)

Brussels Airport (BRU)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202518:20

SWISS

978

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202517:30

Air Baltic

982

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202513:35

Helvetic Airways

968

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:40

Alitalia

3844

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:40

SWISS

966

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:40

Singapore Airlines

2932

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:40

Air Canada

6766

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:30

SWISS

242

Zurich (ZRH)

Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:30

United Airlines

9732

Zurich (ZRH)

Chelsea Twr EY Bus Station (DXB)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:25

Air Canada

6852

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:25

United Airlines

9778

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202512:25

SWISS

2254

Zurich (ZRH)

Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202508:15

Helvetic Airways

976

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202508:15

Cathay Pacific

6615

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202507:20

Air Canada

6802

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund

21.05.202507:20

SWISS

974

Zurich (ZRH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF)

delayed

Claim Refund
Bohdana Nosenok
186 articles
With a PhD in cultural studies, travel experience and a background in human rights, Bohdana manages our content strategy. She helps passengers understand their rights and FlightRefunder’s services. Bohdana creates clear, simple guides on flight compensation claims, and makes it easy for travelers to know their options.

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