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Compared to the original scheduled arrival time

This decides whether the airline can refuse to pay

Why does the reason matter?
Airlines don't owe compensation for a delay or cancellation caused by an "extraordinary circumstance" — genuinely external events like bad weather, security threats, or a third-party strike. A technical fault is usually NOT extraordinary, even though airlines often say otherwise: case law treats routine mechanical problems as an ordinary cost of running an airline. The airline has to prove the exemption applies, not the other way round.

Only matters if you departed from outside the EU/UK — skip the guesswork otherwise

Compensation

Select two airports

Estimate for reference only, not verified proof — check the sources below, and their access date, before relying on this for a claim or filing.

    Flight delay compensation from Zurich (ZRH)

    What a delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight from Zurich is worth under EU261, for the destinations people fly most.

    Every flight departing Zurich (ZRH) is covered by EU261, whatever the airline: arriving 3 or more hours late earns €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 up to 3,500 km and €600 beyond — €600 for Zurich to New York. Flights arriving at ZRH from outside Europe are covered only on an EU, EEA or Swiss airline. On flights over 3,500 km, a delay of 3 to 4 hours earns half.

    Reviewed by RuleCost Editorial Team. Rules for 2026, updated 18 Sept 2026.

    How to use it

    1. 1Enter the departure and arrival airports.
    2. 2Choose what happened and how late you arrived.
    3. 3Pick the reason the airline gave and read the amount — the calculator can also draft the claim letter.

    What a delay from Zurich is worth

    ToDistanceCompensation
    London (LHR)788 km€250 (EU261)
    Paris (CDG)476 km€250 (EU261)
    Amsterdam (AMS)603 km€250 (EU261)
    Frankfurt (FRA)286 km€250 (EU261)
    Barcelona (BCN)856 km€250 (EU261)
    Palma de Mallorca (PMI)996 km€250 (EU261)
    Rome (FCO)693 km€250 (EU261)
    Athens (ATH)1,639 km€400 (EU261)
    Istanbul (IST)1,739 km€400 (EU261)
    Tenerife South (TFS)3,062 km€400 (EU261)
    Hurghada (HRG)3,146 km€400 (EU261)
    Dubai (DXB)4,769 km€600 (EU261)
    New York JFK (JFK)6,310 km€600 (EU261)
    Bangkok (BKK)9,054 km€600 (EU261)

    For a delay of 3 hours or more at the final destination (more than 4 hours on flights over 3,500 km, or the amount is halved), not caused by extraordinary circumstances. Distances are great-circle, as the regulation measures them. Open the full calculator · All airports and airlines

    Questions

    Which rule covers flights from Zurich?
    EU261, on every airline, because ZRH is in the EU261 area (Switzerland applies the regulation).
    How much is a delay from Zurich to New York?
    €600. It is 6,310 km by the great-circle method, in the top distance band.
    Does it matter which airline I flew?
    Not for flights departing Zurich. It matters for flights arriving there from outside Europe, which are covered only when the airline is licensed in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
    When does a delay count?
    When you reach your final destination 3 or more hours late — measured when the doors open at arrival, not at departure. A connection booked on one ticket counts as one journey.