Zurich Airport

Not Verified | We have travelled extensively through dozens of airports but this one is the least attractive, from the boring exterior to the basement type interior. Although we skipped the horrendous check in and security lines because we were business class we still had to endure passport control, crowded trains and escalators. This airport makes it questionable that we will ever visit Switzerland again.

✅ Trip Verified |   We reached TSA at a time when we had 15 minutes to make it to our next flight (if you ask why the rush, it is because our previous flight got delayed). We ask people online to let us go ahead of them so that we can catch the flight. They all were nice and let us go to the front of the line. Two of our bags got signaled as needing more search. I approach one of the security workers and explained our situation. She ignored me totally. Then another security officer started helping us. It took him over 10 minutes searching through both of our bags, as slow as he could be, told us we should have known the rules (granted we went through TSA in JFK, Vienna with the same bags). He took out containers that had much less quality than 100 ml, he took out our stuff into a bin and made both bags a big mess throwing our stuff back in. We told him he could take whatever containers out, we didn’t care, All we needed was to be done with the process and catch our plane. Yet, he went at his same very slow pace. When I told him that this experience and his treatment would make us never come to Switzerland again, he said “That would not be a shame.” The real shame was the attitude of security officers at such a major airport. And we actually ended up missing our plane, by a couple of minutes.

Not Verified | On 5th September 2024, around 8:45 am , I went through security check at Zurich airport. I was wearing a religious bangle, that I am not supposed to take off. I was stopped and I let the security agent know that - am not able to take if it off. In all other airports I am given a pat down and let go. This time the security agent said that I am lying and that there is no religion like that. She asked me what religion I was and I told her. She said it doesn't exist. I am still in shock. How can an employee speak to anyone that way when I was doing everything she said. How can she talk about anyone’s religion in such a derogatory manner. It seemed like she just didn’t want to do a pat down and and was feeling lazy so she wanted to be miserable and talk bad about someone’s religion. At this day and age this act of religious discrimination is simply unacceptable. I hope strict action is taken.

✅ Trip Verified | We queued 15 minutes to get down one escalator If you’re at E gate leave plenty of time! Passport control was equally as bad - poorly organised and long queues even if EU resident Good luck if you have a connection here!

Not Verified | Zurich Airport Saga continues. Stay away from this airport, as clearly is a mess. As noticed already by several here, there is a high chance you will queue for hours because their ticket access system is down and they have to manually scan boarding passes. Did you hear about backup systems or BCP plans? Clearly not! There were only two people scanning and the longest queue I saw in my life in an airport - why not have 4 or more people scanning? Epic narrow minded security - I had 2 small bags with maybe 400 ml in different small containers. Only 1 bag is allowed?! A week before same airport no problem. Clearly security missed some school classes - you make me wait for more than an hour to scan boarding pass, after brilliant security makes even a worse experience. I think you should close the airport and go for training to Singapore or Middle East - you make your customers feel so miserable!

✅ Trip Verified | The worst organized airport ever experienced, along with Geneva airport. Incompetence, lack of friendliness, and huge and unmanaged lines. Incapable of directing passengers

✅ Trip Verified | My flight was from Vienna to Zurich and then I had a flight from Zurich to Miami. Unfortunately the flight from Vienna took 15 minutes and I had only 40 minutes to transfer instead of 55 minutes. I arrived at one terminal and had to move to the other terminal which is far enough and I was flying all the way to make it. Saved myself and the airline the trouble of having to rebook the next flight and in case it is full it is a lot of trouble. At passport control there were big queues. Many people are travelling on holiday. I went up to a group of policemen who were "keeping order" - they were talking among themselves all the time. Is it possible to give me priority because I missed my flight. They said it was not possible and that I had to get in line. After waiting in line for 5 minutes I noticed an automated passport control where there was no need to wait, where the machine let me through in 2 minutes. I am an EU citizen so my check was minimal and the policeman's question was from whom did I answer. The problem I see is that the police are there to maintain order but they are mainly there for us passengers and the fact that they were not interested in helping or explaining or directing me correctly I see in their lack of understanding of what they are there for. I am sorry about this situation because I travel through Zurich very often and this experience has had an unnecessary negative impact on me, I hope that someone will address this comment and take steps to fix it so that the airport staff understands what they are there for and who they are there to serve.

✅ Trip Verified | No seats available while waiting for your gate. You can only sit in a coffeeshop and consume. Travellers sit on the floor or lean on bannisters which makes the place look untidy. Old, tight toilets where it is difficult to take your hand-luggage. Shops are banal: duty free, luxury, watches and chocolate, no fun stores. Gates are dark and with low ceilings. For a fast bag drop you need to print all by yourself - no thought for older travelers who cannot do this and need to take the slow track. Security check are underestimated and with long queues I doubt that this is the 8th airport in Europe

✅ Trip Verified | Extremely disappointing experience! My family and I were taking our connecting flight to Toronto. Arrived at Swiss Air departure gate E26 after having already gone through a passport control in the same airport while transiting from the other flight. At the gate very few seats exist. Hundreds of people are lined up parallel and away from gate E26 for (at that time) unknown reason. While going to the washroom I noticed they were actually lining up to some improvised booth in the middle of the hallway with a hand-written sign that read "Passport Control". I and my family stayed put knowing we already had our passports checked before and assuming these folks are probably taking some charter flight. We barely ever heard any announcements from the PA system which was extremely muffled and easily overcome by the screaming of the tens of children and phones playing national media. When Swiss E26 gate started boarding they all ran to line-up to so we barely caught our places toward the end of the line. After a long wait when we were getting closer to the gate, some airport staff came and looked at our boarding passes and told us we have to go to the mysterious mid-hallway "Passport Control" improvised booth. We had to wait there in another line losing our place in the boarding lineup only to have some illegible blue stamp applied to the boarding pass, then had to go back and line up last passengers in the initial gate boarding line. When I complained about the chaotic boarding experience, the person from the improvised "Passport Control" booth could only find the excuse that there had been some announcement made through the mumbly PA system (I was tempted to ask him if he himself could hear that). He then offered to usher me through the alternate entrance for first class passengers, which I declined telling him I don't need any favor, but I expect professional organization at boarding and passenger care. Anyway my family was already back 100 meters in the regular boarding lineup (a behavior definitely more correct and disciplined than this Swiss airport staff). I have been flying for more than 40 years with various companies, to and from various big airports but this experience was a first. I'll make sure my future flights do not include Zurich or Swiss.

Not Verified | Little delay even for a UK passport holder on arrival on Sunday or departure on Saturday. Luggage delivery was a bit slow however. Check-in area 3 is an advantage for those travelling by train. Overall satisfactory