ZRH Tight connection
 

Molly and I are heading back to the States tomorrow LCY-ZRH-EWR. We only have an hour on the ground to go from non-Schegen D to non-Schengen E. Is this a reasonable connection? We're both in business class, I've heard at Frankfurt sometimes a car or van will be sent for premium passengers on tight connections.

Shouldn't be a problem as long as the LCY flight is not delayed too much. Just don't "fuss around" and go straight to E.

No car or van- you still should be fine.

If your flight from LCY arrives at an apron position a mini-bus will take Business Class passengers to the terminal without having to wait for the rest of the passengers. This could often be quicker than walking the length of D Pier from the far end where ex-UK flights usually dock. Just follow the signs for E gates, down to the Skymetro platform and to E. There will be security check after you get off the train.

If your inbound from Barcelona arrives at the new B gates pier and your flight to Boomingham leaves from the D gates then it should be much easier.

Looking for some advice here. I'll be flying PRG-ZRH-WAW on 16/12/2012. LX does not want to ticket an itinerary with 35 minutes of connecting time in ZRH online. The next flight leaves 4,5 hours later. Would you suggest I book a ticket with that 4,5h connecting time and hope to arrive at the gate on time to rebook myself for the earlier flight? Or should I just leave PRG in the afternoon altogether? I will be flying on a D fare with hand luggage only. I will be really grateful for your replies. :)

Opppsss... I did it again!
 

Hey FTers,

I just did it again - too optimistic about ZRH connection times in winter.

Here's a schedule:
Wed. 30.01.2013 09:40 (WAW) - 11:50 (ZRH) LX 1343
Wed. 30.01.2013 13:05 (ZRH) - 16:25 (SFO) LX 38
Wed. 30.01.2013 21:21 (SFO) - 23:01 (LAS) LX 3280

Technically I have 75mins for a transfer, which should be more than needed from A/B to E. But just looked at a current LX/OLT1343 on-time stats
http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/SWR1343

Many of them arrive at 12:00, some of them even at 12:20, which cuts my time down till 45mins. I know, most likely still doable bit I so hate having no buffer. Cheap, inflexible fare so I have what I paid for.

let's see how it goes
mfk

4,5 hours is enough time to go into Zurich city for lunch/beer/walk/whatever. If that doesn't interest you, I'd take the later flight out of PRG. 35 minutes may normally be plenty of time, but you don't want to be stuck paying a walkup fare if the inbound is late

Cheap/Inflexible doesn't mean that you're out of look if it's all on one ticket (Which I assume so)

If you're missing your flight to SFO, or latter LAS, because of the incoming flight being delayed, Swiss will rebook you onto another connection there.

(And also pay for hotels, meals etc., plus you can grab EU comp. if the delay is too much and wasn't due to one of the reasons that exclude it)

Just make sure, if your flight is delayed a bit but not massively, to rush to the gate your flight will take off. If you're arriving with, say, 40 minutes before your other flight departes, and all other pax are making the connection, you might have to argue with LX a bit why YOU missed it. And no, visiting the lounge doesn't count as a valid reason ;)

Yesterday saw a lot of snowfall in ZRH, but also in other European cities. So basically the whole flights within Europe got delayed.

LX is pretty good at handling delays, last time there was very bad weather (Early November) they simply cut some lunch-flights, and when afternoon and better weather came, all flights were on time again (and people got rebooked quite smoothly.. no queues at all in ZRH at 5pm, when I flow out... and the weather/delays were horrible in the morning till lunchtime)

Ditto, aware how efficient Swiss is despite one terrible experience in C & *G which ended up with nice miles transfer from LX.

best!
mfk

what would you say of a 55 minutes transfer such as:
Arriving at Dock E - shower at Lounge dock A - Boarding at dock A (GVA) ?

Am I too optimistic ? If traveling on C, security and passport should be fast...

This is VERY optimistic indeed.

Depending on how many flights just arrived, it might be you've to wait a bit, especially at passport control (Schengen immigration) - and even security might take a little bit time.

And showers in the Main LX lounge can sometimes be full (only 2 showers)

It might be very possibly faster to actually follow the signs that say "Exit Zurich" (only Immigration, no security this way!) - and once landside, head there directly to the arrival lounge - always showers immediately available, much much more convenient, and thanks to a much better concept quicker as well to shower / getting dressed again.

Assuming zero waiting time at immigration, you can make it from Airplane to Arrival lounge in about 10-15 minutes (Depending on your walking speed, and how well you understand the airport)

Back airside from the arrival lounge, it takes you about 2 minutes to the security, and then another 2-10 minutes (depending which gate you've.. ) to the gate. Again, assuming security has zero waiting time and takes only 2 minutes, it should take you between 6 and 14 minutes from the Arrival Lounge to your departure A gate.

Means: If all goes perfect, you've about 16-29 minutes from airplane to lounge and back to gate, you should be back at the gate at latest 15 minutes before departure, giving you 40 minutes - (16 to 29) = 11 to 24 minutes to shower.. let's estimate some values in the middle, you've 15 to 20 minutes for a shower. Just about enough.

However, queues might make things harder, and you're really cutting it close that way.

Possible? Yes! Would I do it? Only if the airplane arrives perfectly on time or even a bit early, and if everything goes smooth up to the lounge (Meaning, you arrive at the arrival lounge at least 40 minutes before your scheduled departure time - don't forget, even if you're getting delayed at that moment, you've not taken a big detour, as you'll have skipped arrival security this way, and had 0 extra control/check.)

I would try it.. with a timely check on your watch, and check the departure gate upon arrival. If it's a A6x, it means little walking time. A5x means bus gate, short walk. A7x means middle walking time, A8x means, better get your sport shoes on..

And probably no time to enjoy the nice breakfast offerings in the arrival lounge..

Everything assuming you depart before 1pm - at this time the arrival lounge closes.

If after 1pm, just check the regular LX Lounge in Gate A..

wooooh, thanks for the very detailed answer. That's a good idea, I will try that. I can always back-track when I'm at arrival lounge if I'm too late.

Given your answer, I assume departure security is quicker than E arrival security (even in C).

From Arrival Lounge, do I have to go out through customs and back in again or can I go back in more quickly ? (I remember the old way where the lounge staff was escorting us back through passport control).

Wow. I would call this an answer with Swiss precision... :-)

The new lounge is properly landside, so no way back without any checks anymore.

You're right, often the main departure security is quicker than the security at the E gates (where you would go through, if you would follow the transit signs) - I'm SEN so I always use the business/first queue, and the worst waiting time was about 3 minutes.. usually it's less.. (might be that during holiday peak season it might be longer, but that's just my personal experience)

Just make sure to head straight through the airport - there are plenty of shops to try to lure you into spending your money, something you won't have time at all, if you want to enjoy a nice shower. And definitely check your departure gate for your flight to GVA when arriving asap, if it's A67 or so, you will have much more time than if it's A86..

Got it !

Thanks for your help !

Connected here last saturday from Frankfurt to New York in 45 Mins. Made it without any problems (incl. Terminal change). Luggage made its way, too

So connecting JFK(AA)-ZRH(LX)-TLV, my understanding is that everything will be from Dock E so I don't need to re-clear any security?

What if I want to visit a *G lounge with showers (LX Senator or Business)? How do I get to those? I assume I'll have to re-clear security for that? Is 2 hours connection time enough to head over for a quick shower and back for my onward flight?

Thanks!

HKG-ZRH-FRA 55 min connection on 1/1
 

I am sorry if I missed the answer earlier in the thread; this will be my first trip through ZRH. Will I need to re clear security or just transfer to make the connection to FRA? And will this be enough time?


Think you.

I am not a very experienced flyer so please bear with me.

I have a business class booking VIE-ZRH-SIN-BNE. The e-ticket says 'issued on behalf of Swiss International Air Lines"

The VIE-ZRH sector is flight LX3559 operated by Tyrolean Airways for Austrian Airlines. This arrives in ZRH at 21:35 & ZRH-SIN (LX178) departs 22:45

Will this be ample time to make the connection? Will I be able to book my luggage through to BNE at VIE?

Thanks.

I think I erred in saying that LX3559 is operated by Tyrolean Airways. It's actually shown as 'codeshare' so I guess LX3559, an A320, is operated by SWISS.

My apologies.

Yes and yes. Upon arrival at ZRH (usually dock E) you will go through security. You will then board a train to the main terminal where you will go through passport control. 55minutes is enough at ZRH under normal circumstances.

You will have ample time. On arrival you will need to go through passport control but not security at ZRH. The SIN flight will probably depart from dock E (it hasn't started yet...) which you reach with the underground train from the main terminal. If you are not familiar with ZRH, I would suggest you go to dock E and if you have spare time then check out the Panorama lounge there, you will have access as a C passenger.

If your BNE flight is on a single ticket you will be able to check your bags through, assuming this is on SQ.

It doesn't really matter which airline operates the VIE-ZRH leg, OS or LX.

LX355x (x=1-9) is normally a codeshare on OS flight, so your flight should be operated by Austrian/Tyrolean. But as said before, it really doesn't matter.

Does anyone have the official MCT sheet from KVS that they can post?

For what connecting airline(s)?

I read through the thread, but I would appreciate your opinion.

I booked an award ticket with United for a mid March trip. The route is VCE to ZRH in C with LX 1661 (morning flight) operated by Helvetic airways continuing to YYZ in C with AC with only a 40 minute connection. I'm checking bags. Will I and the bags make it? I'm not familiar with ZRH, but will study the map.

Should I change it to VCE-(LH)-FRA-(LH)-ZRH-(AC)-YYZ all in C. In this route, the connection in FRA is 1 hr 30 min and in ZRH 1 hr 10 minutes?

In either case, will I get all my boarding passes at VCE?

Thanks for your help.

swiss.com sells the connection from LX1661 to AC879 so it must be legal, though I wouldn't book this connection myself.

Standard advice applies--if the inbound flight operates on time, 40 minutes is plenty of time to make the connection. You will have to clear passport control in Zurich but it's usually quick. I've never transfered onto anything other than LX at ZRH so I can't comment on how AC would handle a short connecting passanger. If you misconnect, it will be LX's duty to reroute you, and they obviously have plenty of flights--but they might try to connect you through the US, so that's something to keep in mind if you want to avoid that (the LX YUL flight may also be an option, looks like it's just an hour later than AC's YYZ flight)

Your bags will make it too (unless AC fails)

The double connection is double the risk. Unless the VCE-FRA flight is much earlier than VCE-ZRH, then you can keep this option as a backup if it looks like the ZRH flight is delayed

Thanks for the replies.

Will LX issue all the boarding passes?

They won't be able to route the OP through the USA unless they are a US Citizen as the APIS information won't have been completed in time IIRC.

Bags are a risk not to make it.

I have done this a few times (40 minute cnx at ZRH) and given that VCE typically arrives at a remote stand there is no time at all for delays (it is a walk off one plane walk on to the other during final call boarding situation). If you have any delay also at passport control forget it.

I would risk it- knowing that I was taking a risk and that the end result may be a day late arrival at my final destination- if I could not delay by one I would take the option via FRA.

Theoretically yes. I have had a number of issues with the "link" not working to either the AC or the UA systems- although Swiss lurker has taken the PNR to understand why in this case. In the event (somewhat likely in my experience) that the link doesn't work you will need to pick up your boarding pass at the gate in Zurich.

Unless the OP is rerouted via YUL.

I wouldn't risk these short connections if I had to be there, and certainly not in winter. I also wouldn't count on the bags, but ZRH is efficient...

It is indeed efficient. on December 21 my son arrived from Newark, the flight was 40 min late and his connection to VRN was just 40 min after. He arrived in E, had to clear custom, go to A and flight to VRN was at non-gate position.. He made it , and bags too.
Additionally, on Jan 2 I was on a VRN-ZRH-MIA, 1h 10' connecting time , arriving at non gate: I walked to the F lounge, freshen up 10 min, driven to E, with no particular rush. Could never do that at FRA...

Thanks everyone for the replies. Although it may be a bit risky, it sounds like 40 minutes is doable at ZRH. I hope everything goes smoothly. My final destination is in the U.S., but United showed availability only via YYZ at the time of booking, so I took it. If I miss the AC flight, hopefully they can rebook me via Canada or straight to the U.S.

Taking a later flight is an inconvenience. But, I'm going home and I have an extra day off. Also, spending some time in Zurich (which I've never been to) doesn't sound bad. :)

Sounds like you have it under control then ^. I think you'd be able to make it out the same day, but if your reaction to an overnight is--cool, I get to spend a night in Zurich--you're definitely good to go :D

I think, unfortunately, you'll make your original flight. No free night in Zurich and no avoiding the transit in Canada :(

Hi there, new member and have been reading through this thread looking for some information on a flight I'm about to Book, but haven't found a specific answer:

I will be flying from BOS to ZRH on 7/14-&/15 over night and would have a 50 minute layover before flying to ZAG. Here is the actual itinerary:

BOS -> ZRH
Swiss Air LX0053 7/15 10:55 AM (Terminal E)

ZRH -> ZAG
Croatia Air OU0461 7/15 11:45 AM (Terminal D I think)

I believe both terminals should be non-Schengen (USA & Croatia), will I still have to go through security and/or passport control? Also, with switching airlines will I have to claim luggage outside security?

Welcome to FT, msd5568!

Since you will be connecting from non-Schengen to non-Schengen you don't have to go through passport control but you will almost certainly have to clear security. Your luggage may be checked through to your final destination.

If you miss the connection you will have a rather long layover in ZRH. ;)

The last couple of times I've flown through Zurich (Intl-ZRH-Schengen), the immigration queues have been downright scary. Nearly gave me a heart attack getting to the gate the first time and we ended up missing the flight the second time.

So whilst the inbound is okay, on the way back home, I'd like to avoid any drama as far as possible.

Does anyone have any input on outbound immigration times at Zurich early in the morning? Have they improved? Or maybe they were never bad and I just had bad luck?

We will be flying in from Geneva and have a choice of two flights that connect with the 154 to BOM:

dep GVA @ 6h00 = 3h connection in ZRH
dep GVA a 7h40 = 1h connection

I know the BOM flight will depart from E, but I'm not sure where the arrival from GVA will end up.

The flight will also likely determine if we stay the night in Geneva or just drive in from Grenoble very early in the morning.

Whilst we will be in Business, we (I) move a bit slowly :)

Thanks!