Scattered throughout the Zurich (ZRH) airport are internet access terminals (6 SF/hr). Three services are free (1)Swiss.com, (2)zrh airport info dep/arr etc. (3)filling out and applying for ESTA, since the respective services are "footing the bill" for the free internet access, it seems interesting that DHS is paying for applicants from Switz. to apply for ESTA.
Presumably you mean that using the web to apply for ESTA is free from those terminals, not that the ESTA fee is waived?
Are you sure that DHS is footing that bill and not the airport/airlines? I know that in both Frankfurt and CPH there are offices where one can apply (for the usual ESTA fee), someone is running those, and I'm pretty sure that is the airlines to help their customers get on. I know about the one in Frankfurt, because we had a school trip routed through there (actually, same for CPH).
DanishFlyer