Was your last flight with Swiss Air Lines delayed? Claim compensation

A Swiss Air Lines flight delayed by more than 3 hours on arrival may entitle you to compensation of up to 600 euros. To claim it, it is essential to know the procedure to follow. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements and submit the necessary documents.

Swiss offers a gateway to Europe and the world from its main hub at Zurich Airport, as well as from Geneva Airport.

As part of its operations, SWISS may encounter delays that disrupt its domestic, regional or international flight schedule. These delays can be caused by elements such as climatic hazards, mechanical problems, social movements of staff or even the saturation of airspace, leading to various consequences for travelers. These incidents, varying in severity, can result in simple inconveniences, such as increased waiting in terminals, to more significant impacts such as failure to reach a connection, absence from important professional commitments or the postponement of a long-awaited vacation departure.

Assistance service for waiting passengers

When plane delays occur, travelers often find themselves in a situation where their only option is to wait for the problem to be resolved. However, it is essential to recognize that passengers’ time has an economic value, a notion that European legislation seeks to respect by imposing compensation for disruptions experienced.

For delays of up to two hours, Swiss is required to provide refreshments, and potentially accommodation, to its passengers if the delay results in an overnight wait.

When the delay reaches three hours upon landing, passengers are entitled to compensation in euros, unless the delay is due to truly unforeseen events that no one could have managed. Like, if a storm comes out of nowhere, or if there’s a surprise air traffic controller strike.

Compensations depending on distance

The compensation provided is scaled according to the distance of the flight. A delay on a short-distance flight – up to 1,500 kilometers – entitles you to compensation of 250 euros. If, on the other hand, you leave for a journey of between 1500 and 3500 kilometers, 400 euros will fall into your pocket. And if you go very far (on a connection of more than 3,500 kilometers) and you experience a huge delay (4 hours or more), you receive a sum of 600 euros.

Get your compensation without any worries

Cases where it is not possible to claim compensation from Swiss

Although air passengers may often be eligible for compensation in the event of a delayed flight, there are some notable exceptions. If the delay is due to force majeure, such as severe weather or security emergencies, airlines are generally exempt from the obligation to offer compensation. These situations, although uncomfortable for travelers, are considered beyond the control of air carriers.

Other examples of extraordinary circumstances:

– Natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis.

– Wars or military conflicts.

– Large-scale strikes not directly associated with the airline.

– Incidents of terrorism.

– Major health crises such as epidemics or pandemics.

– Unanticipated measures taken by the government, such as abrupt border closures or implementation of travel restrictions.

Obtain compensation effortlessly: It’s possible!

Claims for delayed flight compensation can seem intimidating and complex to many passengers, who often find themselves faced with lengthy and intimidating procedures. Usually, the procedure involves filing a complaint directly with the Swiss national airline, which then evaluates the complaint and determines whether this right is owed based on the specific circumstances of the flight in question. This process can be opaque and difficult to understand for the uninitiated.

However, a recent development in this area is the emergence of third-party services specializing in airline consumer compensation. These companies, founded and managed by lawyers experienced in transport law, offer a promising alternative.

These services handle everything from compiling the compensation file to handling legal proceedings with that operator, which can significantly improve the chances of winning your case.

The high point

The procedure remains completely free for the passenger until the compensation is actually received.

This model ensures that all passengers, regardless of their financial situation, can attempt to claim their rights without fear of upfront expenses.