Flight Compensation for Zurich Airport Delays and Cancellations
When your travel plans are ruined by issues like Zurich Airport flight cancellations or delays, you'll be glad to know that there are laws in place that protect passengers. A European law, EC 261, means that you might be owed up to £520 per person to make up for the disruption. Find out what you're entitled to.
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Air Passenger Rights at Zurich Airport
Zurich Airport (ZRH) is located within the zone covered by EC 261 - that is EU and EEA countries, as well as the 'outermost regions' which include Guadeloupe, Réunion, and the Canary Islands. That means that any passenger departing from Zurich Airport may be entitled to up to £520 compensation when flights are delayed or canceled. And in some cases when there are similar problems on flights to Zurich Airport too.
If you did experience Zurich Airport delays or cancellations, you usually have up to 3 years to claim your compensation.
Which Flights are Covered by EC 261?
Route | EU Airline | Non-EU Airline |
---|---|---|
Departures from Zurich Airport to anywhere | Yes | Yes |
Arrivals at Zurich Airport from inside EU | Yes | No |
Arrivals at Zurich Airport from outside EU | Yes | No |
Claiming Compensation for Zurich Airport Flight Cancellations
Looking into Zurich Airport cancellations brings up a whole range of questions for affected travellers. Under EU law, airlines must take care of their passengers, but must also get them to their intended destination, assuming the passenger still wishes to travel.
Additionally, if the airline canceled your flight less than 2 weeks before you were due to fly, you may be owed up to £520 as well.
Passengers should be aware that there are some exceptions under EU law. One example is if Zurich Airport had to cancel flights for a reason that was outside of the airline's control. That is classified as extraordinary circumstances and the airline won't have to pay compensation. Typical examples of extraordinary circumstances include dangerous weather conditions at Zurich Airport, or a strike by air traffic control.
We break down the situations where you are, and aren't, in line for compensation here, but our free compensation check can also tell you in just minutes if your flight cancellation qualifies for compensation.
Compensation for Zurich Airport Delays
Getting stuck for several hours because of delays in Zurich Airport isn't just frustrating, it often costs passengers their hard-earned money. Whether that's paying for essential food and drink during your wait, or missing out on pre-planned activities thanks to a late arrival at your destination. That's why it's so important passengers are aware that they may have the right to compensation — up to £520 per person, under EU law.
Although passengers on delayed flights from Zurich Airport will be counting down the hours until takeoff, when it comes to claiming compensation, it's the delay getting to your destination airport that's important. The right to compensation kicks in when passengers land 3 hours or more after the scheduled time.
Air travellers should know about one key exception: flight delays as a result of extraordinary circumstances. If the flight delay was caused by bad weather conditions, an incident at the airport, or strikes by air traffic control, the airline won't pay compensation in these cases, because these are not situations that they can control.
How Much Compensation?
Distance | Compensation |
---|---|
Under 1,500 km | Up to £220 per person |
Over 1,500 km and within EU | Up to £350 per person |
Between 1,500 - 3,500 km | Up to £350 per person |
Over 3,500 km | Up to £520 per person |
While the law does contain plenty of exceptions and conditions that apply to these compensation amounts, our free Compensation Calculator will quickly tell you just what you're owed.
Cancellations at Zurich Airport - What to Do
Delays or Zurich Airport flight cancellations have the potential to ruin holidays. Here’s what you need to do if your flight is affected:
Collect proof of the delay or flight cancellation (e.g. emails from the airline, photos of the departure board).
Keep all your travel documents.
Ask your airline why your flight's been affected.
Ask the airline to pay for your meals and refreshments.
Pay attention to what the airline offers you — don't sign anything that would waive your right to compensation.
Keep all receipts that prove the disruption cost you extra money.
Recent delays and cancellations
Date | Flight number | Airline | Route | Status | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
01/04/2025 | 18:50 | OS566 | Austrian Airlines AG dba Austrian | Zurich (ZRH) Vienna (VIE) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
01/04/2025 | 18:50 | OS566 | Austrian Airlines AG dba Austrian | Zurich (ZRH) Vienna (VIE) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
01/04/2025 | 17:55 | LO410 | LOT - Polish Airlines | Zurich (ZRH) Warsaw (WAW) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
01/04/2025 | 17:50 | TP921 | Tap Air Portugal | Zurich (ZRH) Porto (OPO) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
01/04/2025 | 16:30 | UX1672 | Air Europa | Zurich (ZRH) Madrid (MAD) | Cancelled | Check Compensation |
- Cancelled
OS566
•Austrian Airlines AG dba Austrian
Zurich
••Vienna
ZRH
VIE
Check Compensation01/04/2025
18:50
- Cancelled
OS566
•Austrian Airlines AG dba Austrian
Zurich
••Vienna
ZRH
VIE
Check Compensation01/04/2025
18:50
- Cancelled
LO410
•LOT - Polish Airlines
Zurich
••Warsaw
ZRH
WAW
Check Compensation01/04/2025
17:55
- Cancelled
TP921
•Tap Air Portugal
Zurich
••Porto
ZRH
OPO
Check Compensation01/04/2025
17:50
- Cancelled
UX1672
•Air Europa
Zurich
••Madrid
ZRH
MAD
Check Compensation01/04/2025
16:30
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