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 | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20.05.202508:00 | Jet Aviation Business Jets | Zurich (ZRH) Ensheim (SCN) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202507:25 | Air India 7735 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202507:25 | SWISS 786 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202507:25 | Brussels Airlines 5104 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202507:25 | United Airlines 9792 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202507:25 | Air Canada 6794 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202521:15 | easyJet 5190 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202519:15 | Eurowings 9765 | Zurich (ZRH) Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202519:15 | SWISS 4404 | Zurich (ZRH) Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202518:20 | Helvetic Airways 978 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202517:30 | Helvetic Airways 982 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202517:05 | Helvetic Airways 1024 | Zurich (ZRH) Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202512:55 | Air Canada 6779 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202512:55 | Cathay Pacific 6601 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202512:55 | Helvetic Airways 780 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202512:55 | Singapore Airlines 2980 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202512:55 | Brussels Airlines 5108 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202509:55 | NetJets Europe | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202507:25 | Air Canada 6794 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202507:25 | Brussels Airlines 5104 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202507:25 | United Airlines 9792 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202507:25 | Air India 7735 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202507:25 | SWISS 786 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202507:10 | Air Canada 6758 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202507:10 | SWISS 2250 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202517:45 | Helvetic Airways 854 | Zurich (ZRH) Bremen (BRE) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202517:20 | LOT – Polish Airlines 5060 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202517:20 | Helvetic Airways 1374 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202512:25 | Air Canada 6852 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202512:25 | United Airlines 9778 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202512:25 | SWISS 2254 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202517:55 | Brussels Airlines 5114 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202517:55 | SWISS 788 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202517:30 | Helvetic Airways 982 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202514:00 | empty | Zurich (ZRH) Alpe Adria (KLU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:40 | Singapore Airlines 2980 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:40 | Brussels Airlines 5108 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:40 | Air Canada 6779 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:40 | Cathay Pacific 6601 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:40 | ANA 6757 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:40 | Helvetic Airways 780 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:25 | United Airlines 9778 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:25 | Air Canada 6852 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202512:25 | Air Baltic 2254 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202509:35 | SWISS 4458 | Zurich (ZRH) Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202509:35 | Eurowings 9761 | Zurich (ZRH) Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202507:20 | SWISS 974 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202507:20 | Air Canada 6802 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202519:35 | beOnd 91 | Zurich (ZRH) () | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202519:35 | euroairlines 9807 | Zurich (ZRH) () | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202517:40 | TAP Air Portugal 8446 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202517:40 | SWISS 2258 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202512:55 | Air Canada 6779 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202512:55 | Brussels Airlines 5108 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202512:55 | SWISS 780 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202512:55 | Singapore Airlines 2980 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202512:55 | Cathay Pacific 6601 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202507:25 | Air Canada 6794 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202507:25 | Brussels Airlines 5104 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202507:25 | SWISS 786 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202507:25 | United Airlines 9792 | Zurich (ZRH) Brussels Airport (BRU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202512:25 | Helvetic Airways 1372 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202512:25 | LOT – Polish Airlines 5068 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202512:25 | Alitalia 3874 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202507:10 | Air Canada 6758 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202507:10 | SWISS 2250 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202517:40 | TAP Air Portugal 8446 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202517:40 | SWISS 2258 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202516:40 | NetJets Europe | Zurich (ZRH) Roumanieres (EGC) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202506:55 | Helvetic Airways 1370 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202506:55 | LOT – Polish Airlines 5062 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.05.202508:15 | Helvetic Airways 976 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.05.202508:15 | Cathay Pacific 6615 | Zurich (ZRH) Berlin Brandenburg Airport (SXF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.05.202518:10 | JetNetherlands | Zurich (ZRH) Deurne/ Antwerp Airport (ANR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.05.202517:40 | Helvetic Airways 2258 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.05.202517:40 | TAP Air Portugal 8446 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
10.05.202507:00 | Air Baltic 1370 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
10.05.202507:00 | LOT – Polish Airlines 5062 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202517:40 | Helvetic Airways 2258 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.05.202517:40 | TAP Air Portugal 8446 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:25 | United Airlines 9778 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:25 | Helvetic Airways 1376 | Zurich (ZRH) Copernicus Airport (WRO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:25 | LOT – Polish Airlines 5064 | Zurich (ZRH) Copernicus Airport (WRO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:25 | Alitalia 3892 | Zurich (ZRH) Copernicus Airport (WRO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:25 | Air Baltic 2254 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:25 | Air Canada 6852 | Zurich (ZRH) Liszt Ferenc International (BUD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:20 | SWISS 1954 | Zurich (ZRH) El Prat De Llobregat (BCN) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:20 | Air Canada 6812 | Zurich (ZRH) El Prat De Llobregat (BCN) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:20 | United Airlines 9766 | Zurich (ZRH) El Prat De Llobregat (BCN) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:10 | LOT – Polish Airlines 5068 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:10 | Alitalia 3874 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202512:10 | Helvetic Airways 1372 | Zurich (ZRH) John Paul II Balice International (KRK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202511:45 | Air Canada 2982 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202511:45 | SWISS 4250 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202511:45 | Singapore Airlines 2413 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202511:45 | United Airlines 7278 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202511:45 | Croatia Airlines 461 | Zurich (ZRH) Franjo Tudman International Airport (ZAG) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202511:40 | Air Canada 6012 | Zurich (ZRH) Menara (RAK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202511:40 | SWISS 8114 | Zurich (ZRH) Menara (RAK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202511:40 | Edelweiss Air 114 | Zurich (ZRH) Menara (RAK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
