Recent Swiss Air Lines Flight Delays and Cancellations

Nicolle Harwood-Nash

By:  Nicolle Harwood-Nash

Last Updated:  May 15, 2025

SWISS Flight Performance: Delays, Cancellations & Routes to Avoid

SWISS is a major carrier with a globally significant flight volume. In 2023, the airline operated over 130,000 flights carrying about 16.5 million passengers – a hefty increase in activity as travel rebounded. This was up from roughly 107,000 flights in 2022, reflecting the post-pandemic surge in demand.

But punctuality has been a challenge. The airline aimed for 70% on-time performance but has fallen short. In summer 2024, only 64.2% of SWISS flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. By late 2024, just 63–65% were departing on time, meaning over a third were running late.

In comparison, European airlines averaged ~71% on time in 2023. SWISS ranked as the 8th slowest airline for UK departures, with an average delay of 22 minutes 48 seconds—better than Wizz Air, but still below par.

The upside? Most SWISS delays are short to moderate, and long delays remain the exception. Overall, their performance is close to the European average, but still below the standard SWISS sets for itself.

To summarize the recent performance, the table below highlights some verified figures for SWISS flights, showing how many flights were operated and the rates of delays and cancellations:

As shown above, cancellation rates have remained quite low – on the order of 1–3% of flights – even during tumultuous periods. Meanwhile, the share of delayed flights spiked in mid-2024 (with over 40% of summer flights delayed) before improving slightly toward the autumn.

Cancellation Rate and Schedule Reliability

While delays are common, SWISS rarely cancels flights. In 2023, it completed 98.4% of scheduled flights, giving travellers a 98%+ chance of flying as planned. That made it Europe’s most reliable airline for flight completion.

Even during peak disruptions, like summer and autumn 2024, cancellation rates stayed low at 2.3–2.6%, outperforming most European carriers. Most cancellations were due to weather or airspace issues, not internal problems.

The takeaway: You might be delayed, but you’ll almost certainly fly - and that peace of mind matters.

Routes Prone to Delays and Disruption

Not all routes in the SWISS network are equal when it comes to timeliness. Some “trouble spots” see far more delays than others due to congested airports, airspace bottlenecks, or scheduling complexities. Based on recent data and reports, the following routes have stood out for higher disruption rates:

• London – Zurich/Geneva (flight numbers: LX317, LX333, LX339 and LX349, LX353, LX357)

SWISS runs multiple daily flights from London to Zurich and Geneva. These routes face frequent Heathrow congestion and air traffic delays. In 2023, SWISS flights from London ran 22–23 minutes late on average, though about 80% still arrived within 15 minutes of schedule — most delays are short.

• Regional UK Airports – Zurich (flight numbers: LX317, LX333, LX339)

SWISS also flies from Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol. These airports have some of the worst on-time records in the UK, with Birmingham at just 69% punctuality in 2022. Expect possible delays, especially during school holidays.

• Zurich – Holiday Routes to Southern Europe (LX2112, LX2114, LX2118, LX2120)

Summer flights to destinations like Malaga, Lisbon, Barcelona, and Heraklion often run late due to ATC congestion and full airports. On peak days, up to 50% of these flights were delayed. If flying to Mediterranean spots in July–August, expect potential hold-ups.

• Zurich – New York & Other Long-Hauls (Flight numbers: LX14, LX16)

Long-haul flights are usually more punctual, thanks to padded schedules. Still, delays can be longer when they happen, often due to storms or aircraft rotation issues. In summer 2023, storms caused multi-hour delays on U.S. routes. Best to avoid tight connections after long-haul arrivals.

• Geneva – Europe (Flight numbers: LX4603, LX4605, LX4607 and LX352, LX354, LX356, LX358)

Geneva runs smoother than Zurich, but delays still happen — especially to London or Paris, or when weather (fog or Alpine winds) causes disruptions. In April 2023, French ATC strikes forced SWISS to cancel all Geneva–Paris flights for a day.

These examples illustrate that peak holiday flows and busy hub airports are the common thread in SWISS’s delay-prone routes.

HINT: If your itinerary includes one of these higher-risk routes (e.g. a UK departure or a summer Mediterranean destination), it’s wise to build in extra connection time or avoid tight same-day plans. A flight that’s first out in the morning is more likely to depart punctually, whereas afternoon/evening flights on busy routes accumulate delays from earlier backups.

Delay Hotspots: Which Airports More Likely to Encounter Issues

Certain airports in the SWISS network stand out for causing higher delays – either due to their own capacity limits or external factors:

• Zurich Airport (ZRH)

Zurich is SWISS’s main hub but has become a delay hotspot, especially in bad weather. In summer 2024, 40.1% of flights were delayed, making it one of Europe’s worst for punctuality. Winds and fog force runway changes, cutting capacity by up to a third on some days. SWISS and Zurich Airport are working on improvements, but travellers should arrive early and check forecasts—delays remain common during weather disruptions.

• Regional UK Airports (Manchester, Birmingham)

Manchester and Birmingham have had some of the UK’s worst on-time records—Birmingham at just 69% punctuality in 2022. Even if SWISS is ready on time, departures can be held up in long takeoff queues. Passengers using these airports should expect ground delays during busy periods, especially in summer.

• Airports in France and Belgium

Strikes often disrupt operations at Paris, Nice, and Brussels. In April 2024, SWISS cancelled all flights from Zurich to Paris and Nice due to French ATC strikes. Brussels strikes have led to diversions. These airports usually run smoothly, but labor disruptions can cause network-wide delays. Always check for strike alerts when flying through France or Belgium.

• North American Hubs (JFK, Newark, Toronto)

SWISS long-haul flights can be delayed by issues at destination airports. JFK and Newark often face summer thunderstorms, while Toronto has had ground handling problems. These aren’t SWISS’s fault, but they can affect your arrival. If connecting onward, build in extra time to avoid missed connections.

More Reliable Airports

Some airports in the SWISS network tend to run better - Geneva, Amsterdam, and London City have stronger on-time performance. Geneva outperformed Zurich in 2023, and London City’s strict slot control helps keep flights punctual. However, major hubs like Zurich, Frankfurt, and Heathrow still see the most delays, especially during construction or high season.

Which SWISS Flights are Eligible for Payout When Interrupted

SWISS is a EU-based airline even though Switzerland is not part of the EU. This means that  EU261/UK261 compensation laws apply.

If your SWISS flight is delayed 3+ hours or cancelled within 14 days, and it’s the airline’s fault (like a tech issue or crew shortage), you may be owed €250–€600, depending on the distance. Disruptions due to weather or strikes usually aren’t eligible.

Check your flight

Popular SWISS Routes Eligible for EU261/UK261 Compensation

In all the above cases, the flight departs from an EU member state or the UK, so EU261 or UK261 rules do apply to SWISS. 

One more nuance: If you have a connecting itinerary involving SWISS, the rule considers each flight’s departure point. But because SWISS is an EU-airline, you will be covered for arrivals AND departures in the EU and the UK.

So, if you’re flying London–Zurich–Dubai on one ticket, you’ll be protected by EU and UK laws. The second leg (Zurich–Dubai) is also covered. Even though you are arriving in a non-EU country, you are protected because you are flying with an EU airline, and you departed from an EU country (at least when it comes to EU261 protections).

If a delay on the first leg makes you miss the connection, you are still eligible for SWISS compensation, but only if the total delay at the final destination (like Dubai) is over 3 hours. It can be confusing, so expert help is useful for complex cases.

Even when compensation isn’t owed, SWISS must still help (with meals, hotel, rerouting, or refunds) during major delays or cancellations.

Figuring out how much you are owed for a disrupted flight can be complicatedWe're here to help. Let us assess your compensation for you.Check Your Flight

Practical Advice from Anton Radchenko

Anton Radchenko, an air passenger rights expert and CEO of AirAdvisor, has analyzed SWISS’s performance data and offers some practical tips for travellers:

• Plan for delays:
  Don’t book tight connections. SWISS is generally reliable, but delays, especially on busy summer routes, are common. If the timing matters, arrive a day early.
• Track your flight in real time:
  Use the SWISS app and tools like FlightAware. If your plane is delayed leaving Zurich, you’ll know before the gate does and can ask for a rerouting early.
• Know your rights:
  If you’re flying to or from the EU/UK and arrive 3+ hours late due to a SWISS issue, you may be entitled to €250–€600. But you’ll often need to claim it. Don’t expect them to offer it automatically.
• Ask for support:
  SWISS is decent about rebooking and hotel vouchers if you’re delayed overnight. Don’t hesitate to ask at the gate or call customer service.
• Prepare smartly:
  Check your flight’s punctuality history, read the airline’s rules, and consider travel insurance if your plans are costly or tight.

Stay informed and assert your rights. SWISS performs well, but delays happen - and informed passengers are better protected.

Conclusion: How to Travel Smarter with SWISS

Performance data isn’t just trivia - it’s your planning tool. Here’s how to use it:

• Know which routes are delay-prone, and pick earlier flights or add buffer time.
• Watch the weather and strike news if flying through busy hubs like Zurich or Heathrow.
• Understand when you’re protected by EU/UK laws so you can claim compensation when eligible - and save energy when you’re not.
• Use travel insurance and avoid scheduling big events right after your flight.
• SWISS rarely cancels flight, so you’ll likely reach your destination, even if a bit late.

Data empowers travellers. Know what to expect from SWISS, and you’ll reduce stress, avoid surprises, and maybe even get some money back when things go sideways.

Sources:

SWISS 2023 performance and operational statistics

Independent analysis of airline punctuality (PA News Agency / CAA data via The Independent)

Eurocontrol and industry reports on European flight delays (2023)

swissinfo.ch news on SWISS punctuality and reliability rankings

aeroTELEGRAPH report on SWISS punctuality measures in 2024 and French ATC strike impact on SWISS

Flightglobal coverage of SWISS summer 2024 on-time performance

Travel news on worst UK airports and airline delays

SWISS press release on Autumn 2024 performance (flights, on-time, stability)

EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK261 passenger rights documentation

Author:

Nicolle Harwood-Nash

Job/Position: Content Creator

An accomplished copywriter and editor with over 15 years of global experience in copywriting and editing.

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