We just tried to reserve seats on a flight to and from Zurich from Tampa. Yesterday the price was $955/person and today it is over $1200. On top of that, there is a $27 charge to reserve a seat. If you don't pay that, I understand you will be assigned an empty seat when you arrive at the airport. No guaranty you will sit with your traveling partner. Has anyone else had unusual experiences with the Swiss carriers?
Mike W
Sorry, we have no personal experience with that carrier, but if time allows, you might watch the fare for several more days to see if it comes back down. Could you get an impression whether the flight was already getting full? Although it is annoying, $27 is a small percentage extra to choose your seats now. The unassigned seats are not likely to be either aisles or windows, as well as not necessarily with your travel partner.
I'd keep watching, also, but isyour travel date is soon or far out.
You can also use the ITA Matrix software for an overall look at fares.
Finally, you can use a website that will give you a fare alert, if and when the price comes back down. Hopefully someone else will be able to give you the name of the sites with fare alerts; I forget.
I've heard only good things about Swiss carriers.
I really like Swiss International. The seat reservation is a new wrinkle, but hardly a deal killer. I would clean out your cookies or try from another computer. They know were interested in the flight, and could have boosted the price when you went back. A lot of airlines are starting to do this. Edelweis is one thing, check actual Swiss flights from Miami.
Edit- I'm seeing direct flights in November for $876 from Miami on Swiss. Maybe a trip down Alligator Alley?
I far prefer them to the large US carriers. Efficient, courteous, ok seating space. I've also gotten some really good prices from SFO to France or Italy.
And after my last couple of experiences w Delta and their partners, I've decided I'll pay a premium for a good European carrier.
We used Swiss to Zurich from Boston last year and had no fees and great flights. I went on the site and put in a date of mid September for two from Tampa and it showed a cost of $2,480. I did notice the $27.00 fee but that appears to an optional fee to hold your reservation for up to 72 hours with no cancellation fees. I have noticed this on other airlines also and it allows you to hold your seats but then change your mind or check on other matters without confirming a reservation that you would otherwise not be able to cancel. I was able to proceed past this page without adding this option.
OK, Edelweiss is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss International, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa. It serves primarily the Swiss "leisure" market. It leases two A330's from Swiss International which it uses for seasonal long haul flights. In the new world, its destinations are Havana, Tampa, Las Vegas, and Vancouver. If you lived in Zurich and took a round trip to Tampa, it would set you back the equivalent of $1040 US. Tampa to Zurich round trip about $1220 US. Isn't it great to be an American?
It appears that the seats are a little skimpier than regular Swiss A330's. So this airline looks to be set up similar to Lufthansa's Condor. It only flies at most 2 flights a week from Tampa, depending on the season.
I'd take Swiss International out of Miami. Lower prices, better service, more comfortable seats, and one flight a day.
