Zurich Airport Flight Delay and Cancellation Compensation

Yurii Semikopenko
19.08.2024
Updated 31.03.2025

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

08.05.202512:25

Helvetic Airways

1372

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202512:25

LOT – Polish Airlines

5068

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202512:25

Alitalia

3874

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202507:10

Air Baltic

2250

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202507:10

Air Canada

6758

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202506:55

Air Baltic

1370

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202506:55

LOT – Polish Airlines

5062

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202518:20

SWISS

978

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202517:30

Helvetic Airways

982

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202517:15

Helvetic Airways

1374

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202517:15

LOT – Polish Airlines

5060

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202516:30

Helvetic Airways

970

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202516:30

Helvetic Airways

404

Zurich (LSZH)

Dublin International (EIDW)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202513:35

SWISS

968

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:55

Cathay Pacific

6601

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:55

Brussels Airlines

5108

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:55

Air Canada

6779

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:55

Helvetic Airways

780

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:55

Singapore Airlines

2980

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:25

United Airlines

9778

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:25

Air Baltic

2254

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:25

Air Canada

6852

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:15

Singapore Airlines

2906

Zurich (LSZH)

Belgrade Nikola Tesla (LYBE)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:15

Air Baltic

1416

Zurich (LSZH)

Belgrade Nikola Tesla (LYBE)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202507:30

Air India

7703

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202507:30

Helvetic Airways

1016

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202506:55

SWISS

1412

Zurich (LSZH)

Belgrade Nikola Tesla (LYBE)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:55

Brussels Airlines

5114

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:55

Helvetic Airways

788

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:40

Helvetic Airways

2258

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:30

SWISS

982

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:20

LOT – Polish Airlines

5060

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:20

Helvetic Airways

1374

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202516:30

Helvetic Airways

970

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202515:40

Air Canada

6929

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

cancelled

Refunds

04.05.202515:40

Eurowings

9763

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

cancelled

Refunds

04.05.202515:40

SWISS

4400

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

cancelled

Refunds

04.05.202515:35

NetJets Europe

Zurich (LSZH)

Roumanieres (LFBE)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202513:35

Helvetic Airways

968

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:55

SWISS

780

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:55

Singapore Airlines

2980

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:55

Cathay Pacific

6601

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:55

Air Canada

6779

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:55

Brussels Airlines

5108

Zurich (LSZH)

Brussels Airport (EBBR)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:45

Alitalia

3858

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:45

SWISS

1018

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:45

Singapore Airlines

2948

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:45

United Airlines

9772

Zurich (LSZH)

Düsseldorf International Airport (EDDL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:40

SWISS

966

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:40

Singapore Airlines

2932

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:40

Alitalia

3844

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:40

Air Canada

6766

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:10

Alitalia

3874

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:10

LOT – Polish Airlines

5068

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:10

Helvetic Airways

1372

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202507:10

Air Baltic

2250

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202507:10

Air Canada

6758

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

03.05.202517:40

TAP Air Portugal

8446

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

03.05.202517:40

Helvetic Airways

2258

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

02.05.202507:15

LOT – Polish Airlines

5062

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

02.05.202507:15

Helvetic Airways

1370

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

01.05.202513:55

Edelweiss Air

22

Zurich (LSZH)

(MDPP)

delayed

Refunds

01.05.202513:55

SWISS

8022

Zurich (LSZH)

(MDPP)

delayed

Refunds

01.05.202513:55

Lufthansa

4518

Zurich (LSZH)

(MDPP)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202515:00

NetJets Europe

Zurich (LSZH)

Roumanieres (LFBE)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202512:30

Edelweiss Air

130

Zurich (LSZH)

Hurghada (HEGN)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202512:30

Lufthansa

4480

Zurich (LSZH)

Hurghada (HEGN)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202512:30

SWISS

8130

Zurich (LSZH)

Hurghada (HEGN)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202512:25

United Airlines

9778

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202512:25

SWISS

2254

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202512:25

Air Canada

6852

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202507:10

Air Baltic

2250

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202507:10

Air Canada

6758

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202506:55

LOT – Polish Airlines

5062

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

30.04.202506:55

Helvetic Airways

1370

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202517:15

Helvetic Airways

1374

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202517:15

LOT – Polish Airlines

5060

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202516:30

Helvetic Airways

970

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202512:40

Alitalia

3844

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202512:40

Air Canada

6766

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202512:40

SWISS

966

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202512:40

Singapore Airlines

2932

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202512:25

United Airlines

9778

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202512:25

Air Canada

6852

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202512:25

Air Baltic

2254

Zurich (LSZH)

Liszt Ferenc International (LHBP)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202507:30

Edelweiss Air

280

Zurich (LSZH)

Nordela (São Miguel Island) (LPPD)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202507:30

SWISS

8280

Zurich (LSZH)

Nordela (São Miguel Island) (LPPD)

delayed

Refunds

28.04.202507:30

Lufthansa

4522

Zurich (LSZH)

Nordela (São Miguel Island) (LPPD)

delayed

Refunds

27.04.202512:10

Alitalia

3874

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

27.04.202512:10

Helvetic Airways

1372

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

27.04.202512:10

LOT – Polish Airlines

5068

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds

26.04.202517:40

SWISS

4370

Zurich (LSZH)

Malta International (LMML)

delayed

Refunds

26.04.202517:40

Qatar Airways

4801

Zurich (LSZH)

Malta International (LMML)

delayed

Refunds

26.04.202517:40

KM Malta Airlines

491

Zurich (LSZH)

Malta International (LMML)

delayed

Refunds

26.04.202517:30

SWISS

982

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

26.04.202512:40

SWISS

966

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

26.04.202512:40

Singapore Airlines

2932

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

26.04.202512:40

Alitalia

3844

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

26.04.202512:40

Air Canada

6766

Zurich (LSZH)

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (EDDB)

delayed

Refunds

25.04.202512:10

Helvetic Airways

1372

Zurich (LSZH)

John Paul II Balice International (EPKK)

delayed

Refunds
Yurii Semikopenko
626 articles

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