I am looking to book a flight to Barcelona and the best flight, time and price for me, is Air Canada out of Montreal with a connecting flight out of Zurich. The connecting flight is with Swiss Air, who is partnered with Air Canada.The layover in Zurich is only 55 minutes and I have read old posts on the forum where members have asked regarding short connecting flights in Zurich and if they are possible and it appears they are. Plus Air Canada offers this flight schedule and I would think if it was not doable they would not offer it. My concern is that the ticket I am looking to buy is a basic Air Canada, which I know no changes can be made, even with a fee. But if my flight landing in Zurich is late and I cannot make the connecting flight am I then responsible for purchasing a new ticket to Barcelona or would Air Canada then be responsible for rebooking a connecting flight for me. The basic ticket indicates no flight or date changes which I understand, but if the flight is late and you miss your connecting flight who is then responsible? Also is a 55 minute layover still doable arriving international Air Canada and connecting to Swiss Air?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
If it is one ticket to Barcelona with a change to a connecting flight in Zurich and your original flight is late causing you to miss the connecting flight, then you will be booked on the next available flight (assume space available) regardless of the ticket class. Since you bought a ticket to Barcelona on Air Canada they are responsible for getting you there under nearly all conditions.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
1131 posts
The Swiss are amazingly efficient and on time with everything so of all places and companies that I think you could make a quick layover it would be in Switzerland and with Swiss Air.
Posted by
Green Bay
21150 posts
If you miss your 7:10 Swiss flight to Barcelona, the next flight is at 12:20.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for the responses. Yes, it would be a one ticket purchase to Barcelona with a connecting flight in Zurich. Reading previous comments on other forum headings everyone has basically said that a short connection in Zurich is possible even having to go through passport control. I will only have a carry-on bag and I can run fast. And if I miss the connection I wouldn't mind spending a few hours browsing and relaxing in the airport. I just don't want to have to pay anything out of my pocket, especially at the start of my trip should I miss my connecting flight due to Air Canada arrival being late. All of these different ticket prices airlines offer nowadays can be confusing and I just want to make sure it would be Air Canada's responsibility to get me on an available flight out.
Posted by
Green Bay
21150 posts
Your flight from Montreal, AC 6820, is actually operated by Swiss. Its Swiss 87.
Posted by
Kansas City
454 posts
You'll have no problem making that connection and if for some reason the inbound flight is late, I doubt they'll charge you. Transferring in Zurich is easy and the airport isn't that huge and very easy to navigate. If for some reason you're late on the inbound, go to any Swiss counter (I believe there's even a Swiss customer service counter right in the center of the intercontinental terminal (Terminal E) - they'll either hold your flight for a short time or even drive you to your gate.
Posted by
Cincinnati, Ohio
303 posts
I find it helpful to find an online map of an airport to see where the terminals are and what carrier flies out of them. That way you have a rough idea where to go once you land. I find it is a big confidence booster when I'm worried about making a connection. We have flown out of Zurich, and it is indeed a smaller less chaotic experience than say CDG!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for the info regarding Zurich airport. I have tried looking for info regarding what carriers land and fly out of what terminal. As of yet I haven't figured that out. I thought it was an Air Canada flight but ticket says it is operated by Swiss, so I am assuming it is a Swiss flight. I went ahead and purchased the ticket. I leave end of May and upon return I will update as to how it went, fingers crossed. But yes, I felt Zurich connection was a better option, being a smaller airport and easier to get around (I have never been but from what I have read on this forum) versus connecting thru Frankfurt or Paris which gave me approx. 1 hour 20 minute layover. Thanks again for everyone's responses, they have been very helpful!
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
103 posts
You can call the airlines and they will tell you from what terminals they operate. If Air Canada can’t tell, then Swiss Air can tell you.
Posted by
62 posts
We flew last month from Boston to Rome through Zurich on Swiss Air with only a 1 hour scheduled layover. Our flight out of Rome was delayed almost an hour and we were convinced there was no way we would make a connecting flight. But to our surprise, they held the flight and as we were instructed to "go immediately to your gate," we RAN through the Zurich airport, stopped at passport control (very efficient), rode the tram (not sure the order of events), and had time to spare once we arrived at the gate. Lesson - while it is not usually logical or wise to book tickets with such a short layover, Zurich and Swiss Air are definitely the place to do it (as suggested in previous posts!). When you get to passport control, make sure you read the screens hanging from the ceilings above the lines - there are lines for EU passports, and non-EU/all other passports. Choose the correct line :) Hope that's helpful. Enjoy!