Traveling to Zurich from USA, June 2012

Swiss Airlines is quite good. I flew with them ZRH to SFO non-stop in March this year. When to book? With 7 tickets to buy, it's a critical decision. When you see a great price, I guess. The first week of June certainly isn't the cheapest time, but generally a little cheaper than July. You're probably looking at around $1500 if you buy now. I'm almost certain you'll find something under $1,000 if you wait. I would start looking seriously in February. Sales are fewer and less exciting than they once were, but they do happen, sometimes as late as the end of April for June. But don't be in a hurry. Sales appear when the airlines see their planes aren't filling, which for June isn't worrying them right now - but if they have sold only a few seats in Feb, Mar or April, prices will sink so they can fill seats. My flight was open jaws SFO - LHR and ZRH - SFO; Air Canada partners with Swiss and flew me the first leg to London. In early December, about 3 months in advance of my intended travel dates, I had seen a sale price of under $600 for this route, and I jumped right on it; the price was almost the same for a straight SFO - ZRH round trip flight. That's probably near rock bottom for the off season these days. You'll pay more for June. But maybe not too much more. I wouldn't lock myself into Swiss Airlines only. And I would also look at flying into Stuttgart; if the price is a lot lower, you can get to Zurich from there in a few hours by train. I got an advance-sale train ticket from Stuttgart to Zurich, a trip of 3 hours by direct train, for 19 Euros this March at www.bahn.de . Great site for checking fares (no sales - buy at Orbitz or wherever): www.itasoftware.com Check their "calendar of lowest fares" option under "dates" when you search.

It's been my experience that airlines begin listing their fares about 333 days before the flight. That's when I contact them and order my reward flights. For a group of 7 that may want to sit in close proximity, you might need to lock in something that is not necessarily the best fare. But, that's your choice. Most large carriers can easily get you to Zurich, I believe that United can out of SFO. Lufthansa can do it with a stop first in Frankfurt. But, there's nothing wron with Swiss Air.

agreed w/ not locking yourself into Swiss. I have flown Swiss and like it, but it's so easy to check out multiple carriers' fares these days, so pays to be open about the airline you fly. I would continue to check from time-time; and then if you book in Jan/Feb- or so- you should be fine. Of course, you don't want to wait TOO close to June and end up paying more than you have to. That said, I found Swiss efficient and clean and liked the service. And this is minor, but just as an fyi-- "swissair" no longer exists! That company went backrupt around 10 yrs ago and the company that replaced it is "Swiss International Airlines." My company happens to work with Swiss (they're a client of ours), and they're quite sensitive to this! Funny part is that since "swissair" was such an iconic name for so long, it IS what most people still call it!

Thanks for the helpful information. Looks like I just need to relax and watch for lower fares during the up coming months. I feel better knowing that I still have plenty of time before I have to book our flight for June 2012.

I have flown Swiss several times and have been happy with the experience. I started checking fares daily about 9 months before my trip. Recorded them in a notebook by day, time, amount. I was not organized enough to keep to the daily check. But one day the fares were close to $75 less then they had been in a couple of months, so I booked. I know it is not a lot, but I don't remember the fares changing a lot either. There are two types of economy. I book the cheapest, which has 50 percent miles, no refund, a high rebooking fee. When my wife broke a leg three weeks before our trip, we found that type of ticket to be a real disadvantage. I did go, she did not, and Swiss was very good to me on working out a solution to my unused ticket. If you book on line directly with Swiss International, you can call them the next day and get seat assignments. I am not positive, but it seems you can only book nine months ahead with them.

I always try to take SWISS or Lufthansa for any west coast (LAX) to euro area. 7 is a lot so forgive me if I disagree with flying into anyplace other than Zurich, Munich or Frankfurt. With that many - the hassle is not worth it perhaps so flying in direct is a real help. However - if the cost is so great (sometimes swiss direct is more than lufthansa with one quick stop in Munich or Frankfurt) - go for it. The extra 1-2 hrs between may well be worth a few hundred savings each. I personally highly recommened AGAIANST taking a huge group on a multi-hop goosechase. Its great for a few experience travelers to hop into regional airports but seriously - its not practicle for non-experts or large group (my opinion). Swiss and German are very efficient so hopefully paying a bit more is doable for ease of travel.
Also - they other posters are correct that they have seasonal sales - usually 1 season before. So Feb is good. Dont be afraid to call the airlines either they can help with seating if you cant do it on line. May be easier to split into 3-2-2 seater groups too if you cant get a whole row! hope this helps = lots of good ideas from everyone

Yes, I now realize 7 is a lot of family to travel with, I can not back out now...I do agree that flying straight from SFO with a large group is the better way to travel with 4 kids and 3 adults. I will check Lufthansa fares. Thank you for your input...