SWISS compensation: how to claim
SWISS is registered in Switzerland, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Registered in
- Switzerland (EU carrier)
- Main bases
- Zurich (ZRH), Geneva (GVA)
- Typical first response
- About 35 days
- Time limit where it is based
- Depends where you claim
SWISS is registered in Switzerland, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
- Departing an EU airport: covered by EU261.
- Departing a UK airport: covered by UK261.
- Arriving in the EU from outside Europe: covered by EU261, because SWISS is an EU carrier.
- Arriving in the UK from outside Europe: covered by UK261, which also protects arrivals on EU carriers.
How SWISS handles claims
Switzerland is not in the EU, but EU261 applies to flights departing Swiss airports through the EU–Switzerland air transport agreement. Passengers regularly assume Zurich and Geneva are outside the rules. They are not.
A SWISS flight arriving into Switzerland from outside the EU is the awkward case — the protection is weaker there, and it depends on the departure point.
Zurich has genuine winter weather and fog exposure, so weather rejections are more often defensible than at a Mediterranean base. Ask for the actual observations for the relevant hours.
Their responses are usually well-organised and reference the specific flight, which makes them easier to argue with than a generic template.
What a delay on SWISS is worth
| Route | Distance | Rules | Per passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich (ZRH) → Geneva (GVA) | 230 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Zurich (ZRH) → Paris (CDG) | 476 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Zurich (ZRH) → Barcelona (BCN) | 857 km | EU261 | €250 |
| Zurich (ZRH) → Rome (FCO) | 694 km | EU261 | €250 |
Amounts are per passenger. The distance is the great-circle distance between the airports, which is what the Regulation uses — not the distance flown.
Claiming from SWISS, by what happened
- SWISS: delayCompensation is due when you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more after the scheduled arrival time.
- SWISS: cancellationCompensation is due unless you were told at least 14 days before departure, or were told later but re-routed on a flight that fell inside the timing windows set by Article 5(1)(c).
- SWISS: denied boardingCompensation is due immediately when you are refused boarding against your will — most often because the flight was overbooked — provided you checked in on time with a confirmed reservation.
- SWISS: missed connectionWhere all your flights were on a single booking, a delay that makes you miss a connection is measured at your final destination.
We draft. You send.
The check is free. If your SWISS flight appears eligible, the claim letter is £15 flat — you send it to SWISS yourself and keep the whole payout. If the airline rejects your claim on eligibility grounds, we refund the £15. Forward us their reply and we refund within five working days.
SWISS: common questions
How much compensation can I get from SWISS?
It depends on the distance and on which rules apply. Under EU261 it is €250, €400 or €600 per passenger; under UK261 it is £220, £350 or £520. SWISS is registered in Switzerland, so it counts as an EU carrier and its flights are covered in both directions.
Does SWISS have to pay if the delay was caused by a technical problem?
Yes, in almost every case. The Court of Justice has held that technical problems — including sudden, unforeseen faults — are part of the normal running of an airline and are not extraordinary circumstances.
How long do I have to claim against SWISS?
The limit is set by the country where you bring the claim, which is usually where your flight departed or arrived. In England and Wales it is six years; in most EU countries between two and five.
Where do I send a claim to SWISS?
SWISS takes claims through an online form, and the postal address is Swiss International Air Lines Ltd., Customer Relations, P.O. Box, 4002 Basel, Switzerland. Check the address on the airline’s website before posting — claims departments move.
Can I claim for an old SWISS flight?
Very often, yes. Most people do not realise claims last several years. Every disrupted flight is a separate claim, for every passenger on the booking.