When your Swiss Air flight is delayed, the last thing on your mind is how to claim additional compensation. You just want to get to your final destination! Once the dust is settled, you may be eligible for an additional €600 under EC 261. Here’s all you need to know.
What are Your Passengers Rights with Swiss Air?
EU 261 protects your rights, regardless of the airline that you’re traveling on, as long as you’re in the European Union or meet other qualifying circumstances. Depending on the circumstances of your delay or cancellation, you have the right to a refund, rerouting, and care, including meals, accommodation, and more.
Flight Delay Compensation
When your flight is delayed more than two hours, you are entitled to basic care, including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation and transportation (where applicable), and access to communication. If your delay is three hours or more, you can also request reimbursement and transportation to your point of origin.
You are also entitled to compensation, which can be paid as a non-fundable transportation voucher or refundable voucher.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
Flight Cancellation Compensation
You may be entitled to additional compensation if you were notified of the cancellation less than two weeks before the departure and your new arrival and departure times are significantly different than your original times.
You’ll need to contact customer service to receive your compensation, which can be issued as non-refundable or refundable vouchers.
- Flights up to 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
The amount may vary based on the type of compensation you request, and you might get a better value when you choose their transportation credit.
Calculate your compensation
What to Do in Case of Delays or Cancellations?
Unfortunately, cancelation and delays happen. Here’s all you need to know.
Delays
- If your flight is delayed, take note of your original departure time, the date of which you were notified, and any other information that is relevant.
- If your delay is two hours or more and you’re already at the airport, you are entitled to care. Work with customer service to receive meals, refreshments, accommodation, transportation, communication, and more, though what you are entitled to will depend on the length of your delay.
- After you get to your final destination, contact customer service to receive additional compensation. Depending on the length of your flight and the destination, you could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.
Cancellation
- If your flight is canceled, take note of your original flight, the date you were notified, and any other information that could be helpful.
- If your cancelation occurred before you arrived at the airport, work with customer service to rebook your flight or rebook it yourself.
- If your flight was canceled while at the airport, work with customer service to help get you on the next available flight. If you are entitled to care, they should offer it to you at this point.
- Following your flight, contact customer service for additional compensation, providing all documentation. You could receive up to €600 in compensation.
Swiss Air Refund Policy
Swiss Air offers refunds to passengers for a number of reasons, including if their flights have been delayed or cancelled. Depending on the circumstances, you could receive a full or partial refund if you no longer wish to continue your trip.
You may also be eligible for up to €600 in compensation under EC 261 as long as the issue was within the airline’s control. If your flight was delayed at least two hours or more or cancelled less than 14 days prior to your departure, you can be compensated. That includes if you already got a refund from Swiss Air.
Recently Disrupted Swiss Air Flights
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
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About Swiss Air
Swiss Air is the flagship carrier of Switzerland, serving over 100 destinations throughout Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. They are headquartered out of Basel, Switzerland, in EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, but they have a hub in Zurich Airport and a focus city in Geneva Airport.
Swiss Air has over 88 carriers in its fleet and is a part of the Star Alliance to help you get to your destination throughout the world. They recently received recognition for being Europe’s leading airline for the economy class and first class categories, so no matter how you’re flying, you’ll arrive in style.
Swiss Air Disruption Statistics
| Year | All Disrupted Flights | Cancelled Flights | Delayed Flights |
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Conclusion
Many Swiss Air flights are covered under EC 261, so it’s important to understand your rights. You could receive up to €600 per passenger depending on the length of your flight and other qualifying circumstances. Your time is valuable, and this powerful law wants to hold airlines accountable for avoidable issues. This page was updated on June 2023.