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 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All 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 Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
| 14 Days | None |
| 7 – 13 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | Alternative 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 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
| €125 | €250 | €250 | €250 | €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| €200 | €200 | €400 | €400 | €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| €300 | €300 | €300 | €600 | €600 | Non-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:
| Itinerary | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
| Departures from Zurich Airport to anywhere | Yes | Yes |
| Arrivals at Zurich Airport from inside the EU | Yes | No |
| Arrivals at Zurich Airport from outside the EU | Yes | No |
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:
- Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- 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 | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
02.07.202513:40 | SWISS 8394 | Zurich (ZRH) Palese (BRI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:40 | Edelweiss Air 394 | Zurich (ZRH) Palese (BRI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202513:40 | Air Canada 6014 | Zurich (ZRH) Palese (BRI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:55 | Helvetic Airways 780 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:55 | Brussels Airlines 5108 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:55 | Cathay Pacific 6601 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:55 | Air Canada 6779 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:55 | Singapore Airlines 2980 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:55 | ANA 6757 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202511:15 | Aer Lingus 343 | Zurich (ZRH) Dublin International (DUB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202510:50 | Finnair 1512 | Zurich (ZRH) Helsinki-vantaa (HEL) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:40 | SWISS 176 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:40 | Singapore Airlines 2928 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:35 | SWISS 8416 | Zurich (ZRH) Ohrid (OHD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:35 | Edelweiss Air 416 | Zurich (ZRH) Ohrid (OHD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:05 | TAP Air Portugal 8186 | Zurich (ZRH) Prague Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:05 | SWISS 1482 | Zurich (ZRH) Prague Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:05 | Alitalia 3882 | Zurich (ZRH) Prague Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:00 | SWISS 2146 | Zurich (ZRH) Valencia (VLC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:50 | Alitalia 3888 | Zurich (ZRH) Ulemiste (TLL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:50 | Air Baltic 1316 | Zurich (ZRH) Ulemiste (TLL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:35 | SWISS 962 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:35 | Alitalia 3846 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:30 | SWISS 2120 | Zurich (ZRH) Pablo Ruiz Picasso (AGP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:25 | SWISS 2082 | Zurich (ZRH) Lisbon Portela (LIS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:25 | TAP Air Portugal 8188 | Zurich (ZRH) Lisbon Portela (LIS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:25 | Alitalia 3842 | Zurich (ZRH) Arlanda (STO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:25 | SWISS 1254 | Zurich (ZRH) Arlanda (STO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:20 | SWISS 1842 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:20 | TAP Air Portugal 8184 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202521:20 | Aegean Airlines 1985 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202519:15 | SWISS 4404 | Zurich (ZRH) Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202519:15 | Eurowings 9765 | Zurich (ZRH) Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202518:20 | SWISS 226 | Zurich (ZRH) Bilbao (BIO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202518:20 | SWISS 8226 | Zurich (ZRH) Bilbao (BIO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202517:35 | SWISS 52 | Zurich (ZRH) Logan International (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202517:35 | United Airlines 9722 | Zurich (ZRH) Logan International (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202514:30 | VistaJet 387 | Zurich (ZRH) Le Palyvestre (TLN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202513:25 | Air Canada 881 | Zurich (ZRH) Lester B. Pearson International (YTO) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
01.07.202513:05 | SWISS 64 | Zurich (ZRH) Miami International Airport (MIA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202513:05 | United Airlines 9724 | Zurich (ZRH) Miami International Airport (MIA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:55 | United Airlines 53 | Zurich (ZRH) Washington Dulles International (WAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:55 | Air Canada 4109 | Zurich (ZRH) Washington Dulles International (WAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:55 | Austrian 7801 | Zurich (ZRH) Washington Dulles International (WAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:55 | SWISS 3200 | Zurich (ZRH) Washington Dulles International (WAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:55 | Lufthansa 9310 | Zurich (ZRH) Washington Dulles International (WAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Singapore Airlines 2413 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Virgin Australia 5579 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | SWISS 4250 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | United Airlines 7278 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Croatia Airlines 5814 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Singapore Airlines 345 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Philippine Airlines 3849 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Croatia Airlines 461 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | SWISS 9000 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Air Canada 2982 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Air New Zealand 3345 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:45 | Malaysia Airlines 5805 | Zurich (ZRH) Singapore Changi (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:40 | KlasJet 4010 | Zurich (ZRH) Charles De Gaulle (PAR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:40 | AJet 54 | Zurich (ZRH) Sabiha Gokcen (IST) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:35 | Pegasus 948 | Zurich (ZRH) Sabiha Gokcen (IST) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:30 | Eurowings 6837 | Zurich (ZRH) Son Sant Joan Airport (PMI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:25 | NetJets Aviation | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:15 | Garuda Indonesia 9035 | Zurich (ZRH) Abu Dhabi International (AUH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:15 | SWISS 4200 | Zurich (ZRH) Abu Dhabi International (AUH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:15 | Etihad Airways 144 | Zurich (ZRH) Abu Dhabi International (AUH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202511:00 | Jetfly Aviation | Zurich (ZRH) London City Airport (LON) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:50 | Finnair 1512 | Zurich (ZRH) Helsinki-vantaa (HEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:50 | Cathay Pacific 1491 | Zurich (ZRH) Helsinki-vantaa (HEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:50 | Jet Linx Aviation 6844 | Zurich (ZRH) Helsinki-vantaa (HEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:40 | empty | Zurich (ZRH) Friedrichshafen (FDH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:30 | LOT – Polish Airlines 412 | Zurich (ZRH) Frederic Chopin (WAW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:30 | SWISS 4500 | Zurich (ZRH) Frederic Chopin (WAW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:30 | Singapore Airlines 2312 | Zurich (ZRH) Frederic Chopin (WAW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:25 | NetJets Aviation | Zurich (ZRH) Alicante El Altet (ALC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:25 | SWISS 4266 | Zurich (ZRH) Adnan Menderes Airport (IZM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:25 | SunExpress 861 | Zurich (ZRH) Adnan Menderes Airport (IZM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202510:20 | Time Air | Zurich (ZRH) Prague Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:55 | Air Canada 6836 | Zurich (ZRH) Lester B. Pearson International (YTO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:55 | SWISS 80 | Zurich (ZRH) Lester B. Pearson International (YTO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:55 | United Airlines 9771 | Zurich (ZRH) Lester B. Pearson International (YTO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:50 | NetJets Aviation | Zurich (ZRH) Innsbruck-kranebitten (INN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:40 | Bulgaria Air 1929 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:40 | Virgin Australia 6090 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:40 | Qatar Airways 94 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:40 | Iberia 6185 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:40 | RwandAir 1106 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:40 | SriLankan Airlines 3494 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:40 | Malaysia Airlines 9228 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:25 | SWISS 1830 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:25 | Lufthansa 4528 | Zurich (ZRH) Kilimanjaro (JRO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:25 | Aegean Airlines 1981 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:25 | Air Canada 6832 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:25 | United Airlines 9756 | Zurich (ZRH) () | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:25 | SWISS 8076 | Zurich (ZRH) Kilimanjaro (JRO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:25 | Edelweiss Air 76 | Zurich (ZRH) Kilimanjaro (JRO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:20 | China Eastern Airlines 1782 | Zurich (ZRH) Schiphol (AMS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:20 | Gol 5595 | Zurich (ZRH) Schiphol (AMS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:20 | KLM 1918 | Zurich (ZRH) Schiphol (AMS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202509:20 | Delta Air Lines 9280 | Zurich (ZRH) Schiphol (AMS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
