Travel information | Helvetic Airways

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Hotel

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Check in easily online

Our Helvetic Airways online check-in allows you to check in easily at home, select your preferred seat and print out your boarding pass.

Go to online check-in

Important information concerning your flight

Seat reservation

Would you like a view or additional legroom?

Reserve your very own preferred seat easily in advance. Online or through our Service Centre.

Reserve your very own preferred seat easily in advance. Online or through our Service Centre. Seat reservations can be made up to 24 hours prior to departure. Reservations will be charged from CHF 12 to CHF 30, depending on the seat row. This service is not available on certain flights.

Please not that certain seats are kept free for passengers who need special assistance, as well as for operational or safety reasons. Only passengers aged 16 years and up, who are in good physical and mental condition and have a good knowledge of German or English may sit at the emergency exits. In case of an emergency, the cabin crew will ask passengers sitting at the emergency exit for their help. Should passengers not fulfil these requirements, the cabin crew and staff at the check-in counter have the right to re-seat passengers.Reservations that have already been made can no longer be changed free of charge. The seat reservation that has been paid for will not be refunded.

Seat prices can be found at:

Please note: Helvetic Airways endeavours to keep to any seat reservations that are subject to charge. For operational or safety reasons, Helvetic Airways reserves the right to not guarantee the booked seats and to reassign seats. The remaining seats will be allocated at check-in. Passengers can make their preferences known at check-in. Getting to the check-in counter early allows for a selection based on “first come, first served”.

For more information, please read the provisions regarding seat reservations. Even if you make a seat reservation, we recommend that you still get to the check-in counter early.

Travel Insurance

Be it a city trip or a golf weekend: the main thing is that you have a good time without complaints when travelling. In cooperation with Europäische Reiseversicherungs AG, Helvetic Airways offers you complete insurance protection for your air travel.

Cancellation costs and SOS protection
This insurance provides you with the following services:

  • Cancellation costs
  • SOS-protection for travel-related incidents up to a maximum of CHF 250,000.-
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Cancelling service for mobile phones and credit cards

The cancellation cost insurance is only valid if it is taken out within 8 days following receipt of the final booking confirmation.

Travel luggage & supplementary hospital costs

This insurance provides you with the following services:

  • Doctor and hospital costs worldwide up to a maximum of CHF 100,000.
  • Baggage loss and damage during transport up to a maximum of CHF 1,000.-

You can find out more about the scope of services and the validity of the insurance cover you have chosen in the general conditions of insurance of Europäische Reiseversicherungs AG (cancellation costs & SOS protection and baggage and hospital costs supplement).

Europäische Reiseversicherungs AG
Margarethenstrasse 38
PO Box
CH-4003 Basel
Customer services tel. +41 58 275 22 10
Claims services tel. +41 58 275 27 27
Email: schaden@erv.ch
www.erv.ch

Baggage information

Baggage per passenger (Economy)

  • Baggage allowance 23 kg
    1 piece of hand luggage weighing 8 kg
  • Hand luggage (dimensions 55x40x20 cm)

In addition to hand luggage (suitcase or rucksack), each passenger with a seat may also bring a laptop bag or a handbag on board.

One pushchair or child seat can be checked in free of charge as luggage.

What can be taken in luggage and what not?
You will find extensive information about which items may be transported on the plane at www.bazl.admin.ch.

You will find a detailed overview of all forbidden items at: For your safety (Zurich Airport)

Personal Tracking Devices
Activated personal tracking devices may only be carried in checked baggage if the battery power does not exceed 2.7 Wh and the lithium content does not exceed 0.3g. Tracking devices must be stowed in the baggage to protect them from damage.

Excess baggage:
As a rule, CHF 15 will be charged per kg of excess baggage. You can find detailed information about this in the general conditions of carriage (GCC).

Increase your baggage allowance and save up to 65%!

On payment of a flat fee, you can increase your free baggage allowance from the usual 23 kg to either 32 kg or 46 kg.
The increase costs CHF 80 / CHF 150 respectively, per passenger and flight.

Not valid on flights from/to Pristina, Skopje and Ohrid!

You can register an increase in baggage allowance online or by telephone with our customer services up to 24 hours prior to departure at the latest. Payment is made by credit card.

Please note that costs cannot be refunded if the baggage checked in actually weighs less. If at the check-in counter the baggage weighs more than the baggage allowance obtained, the usual excess baggage charge of CHF 15 per kg must be paid at check-in.
Helvetic Airways does not accept any items of baggage weighting more than 32kg.

Sports equipment (less than 150cm in length)
Your sports equipment (golf bag, diving equipment, skiing and snowboarding gear, surfing and kitesurfing equipment, mountain climbing, hiking and walking equipment, fishing equipment, SUP, etc.) is transported within the baggage allowance free of charge. If the baggage allowance is exceeded, a maximum of CHF 60 will be charged per item of sports baggage.

Large pieces of sports equipment:
CHF 120 per item is charged per way for sports equipment exceeding a length of 150cm. Please note that this equipment must be registered.Transporting sports equipment longer than 280cm is only possible upon request.

Bikes:
Bikes must be packaged securely prior to transport (handlebars turned inwards, pedals removed). Costs for this service amount to CHF 60 per item per way. The transport of bikes is limited per flight. Please enquire about this at our Service Centre in good time.

Special travel requests

Do you suffer from allergies, have special dietary requirements or simply a certain taste?

To register any dietary requirements, we need you to send the following information to info@helvetic.com at the latest 3 days prior to departure:

  • Passenger name
  • Flight number / destination
  • Date
  • Dietary requirement as well as any additional allergies

For special greetings we also need:

  • Credit card details
  • Desired item and quantity

Check-in and online check-in

Due to the current safety regulations, Helvetic Airways recommends arriving at the check-in counter 2.5 hours prior to the specified departure time. The passenger must arrive at the check-in counter on time with a valid ID card/passport. You can also add your seat preferences here!

The check-in counter closes 30 to 60 minutes prior to departure, depending on the airport. You can find detailed information on our departure airports below under “Information about the airport”

Passengers who do not adhere to the deadline for checking in will lose their right to travel and can no longer be transported on the flight. Passengers will not be entitled to a refund of the flight price.

Helvetic Airways assumes no liability for losses or costs arising as a result of the passenger disregarding these regulations.

Do things faster with online check-in!
Our Helvetic Airways online check-in allows you to:

  • Check in easily online at home
  • Select your preferred seat
  • Print your boarding pass

 

Our online check-in is as easy as this:

Step 1: Enter your name and flight details
Step 2: Confirm/select the flight to be checked in
Step 3: Select your preferred seat
Step 4: Print your boarding pass

When can I start to check in online?
Online check-in is available from 23 hours up to 3 hours prior to departure, except for flights from Zurich up to 4 hours prior to departure.
Please note that online check-in is not available for all our departure airports due to local stipulations!

Evening Check-in:
Evening Check-in is not possible.

Airport information

Airport information
City
Zurich
Web Check-in
Yes *
Airport
Kloten
Evening Check-in
No
Location
13 km north of Zurich
* Not available for certain flights.
Helvetic Airways Check-in desk
Check-in desk open
150 min. prior to departure
Check-in desk closure
45 min. prior to departure

Flight schedule changes

Helvetic Airways always makes every effort to stick to the planned flight times. However, for operational reasons, changes in flight schedule may still occur, and it is a concern for us to inform our passengers as quickly as possible. You will receive any changes in flight schedule, flight delays or flight cancellations via email and, in cases of last-minute changes, also by telephone. So that you can profit from this service, we will need your email address as well as your current telephone number. You can enter these details in your my helvetic.com account under “My profile”.

Passengers and groups

Infants:

  • To avoid health risks, newborns can only be transported on the flight once they have reached 8 days old.
  • Infants up to 2 years of age (age at the time of flight) must be registered for safety reasons. Infants travel on the lap of their parent/carer. They do not have the right to their own seat and baggage – unless you have your own, non-discounted booking.
  • Please note that there are no cots on our flights (short-haul).

Children and young persons:

  • As a rule, children under the ages of 5 years are only transported when accompanied by somebody aged 18 years and above.
  • Tickets for children and young persons between the ages of 5 and 12 (exception Kosovo until 14 years), who are travelling without a companion, must be booked at least 48 hours prior to departure through the Service Centre (Processing fee of CHF 80.00 per route and per child).
  • Young persons from 12 years of age (at the beginning of outbound flight) are considered adults. Helvetic Airways does not provide any carers or chaperones and does not accept any liability for insufficient supervision.

More information about this can be found at: Travelling with children (Zurich Airport).

Expectant mothers:

  • Pregnant women who are healthy are transported up until their 36th week of pregnancy.
  • We recommend that expectant mothers carry a doctor’s note on them from their 28th week of pregnancy onwards, presenting the state of health and the expected delivery date.

Passengers with restrictions:
Do you need help because of a disability or is your mobility restricted? The free service from Careport is on hand to help our passengers. You will be accompanied from your arrival at the airport to the point when you enter the plane.
We recommend that you arrive at check-in at least 2 hours prior to departure. You can register this assistance in advance at +41 44 270 85 00.
What kind of assistance do you need?

I can walk up the stairs alone. WCHR
I can walk up the stairs with help. WCHR
I can’t walk up the stairs, not even with help. WCHS
I cannot move. WCHC
I’m travelling with my wheelchair and can walk up the stairs. WCHR-OWN
I have a mental impairment. DPNA
I am blind or visually impaired. BLND
I’m travelling with my wheelchair. WCH-OWN

 

  • Helvetic Airways may only transport one visually impaired passenger and their guide dog in the cabin per flight.
  • For safety and space reasons, entitlement to carriage only exists if the intended carriage of the guide dog was registered with confirmation of receipt when booking.
  • Carriage of the guide dog is possible without a container and is free of charge.

Would you like to travel as a group?
No problem: With Helvetic Airways, you can travel easily and comfortably in a group of ten persons and up to your European dream destination. Simply fill out the relevant groupcontact form – we would be happy to organise your individual group trip!

Animals

For safety and space reasons, entitlement to carriage for animals (dogs, cats, etc.) only exists if it was registered with confirmation of receipt when booking. The animal must be in a suitable and secure container provided by the passenger. The decision of whether and how the animal in question can be transported lies with Helvetic Airways.

Transporting animals in the cabin:
For animals weighing up to 8kg (including transport container), an additional fee of CHF 80 per route will be charged, which must be paid at the time of registration. Only a limited number of animals can be transported in the cabin per flight. The transport container must not exceed 56x32x27 cm, must be watertight and remains closed and on the floor during the entire flight, and must be stored under the front seat during take off and landing.

Transporting animals in the air freight space:
Transport of animals in the cargo hold: Animals (pets) weighing more than 8 kilos can be transported in your aircraft’s cargo hold in a suitable secure, watertight and IATA approved container. The fees for doing so vary according to the container’s size and wight. If you wish to transport your pet in this way, please contact out Service Center in good time ahead of your flight.

Helvetic Airways does not accept any liability for possible damages to the animal’s health from flight carriage. All health checks/certificates and conditions/papers for the animal’s entry into the destination country are the passenger’s responsibility. Due to quarantine regulations, the transport of animals is not permitted on certain routes.

Information brochure “Ich reise mit Hund oder Katze” (I’m travelling with a dog or a cat) from the Federal Veterinary Office: BVET_Brosch_Hund_Katz_d.pdf

Category   Container dimensions (L x W x H in cm)   Fee
Category 1   57 x 37 x 36 / 4 kg   CHF 105.00
Category 2   71 x 50 x 51 / 6 kg   CHF 105.00
Category 3   82 x 57 x 60 / 10 kg   CHF 210.00
Category 4   93 x 65 x 68 / 14 kg   CHF 210.00

Service on board

On board with Helvetic Airways...
The Helvetic Airways crew is waiting for you with customary Swiss hospitality.

A high-quality snack or meal (depending on the time of day & flight) is offered to passengers on all routes.

Smoking:
All Helvetic Airways flights are non-smoking flights.

Safety:
Since 1 May 2014, mobile phones, tablets and e-readers can be used on-board with Helvetic Airways, even during take off and landing – but only in flight mode.

Baggage damage and loss

Helvetic Airways accepts liability for damages caused during a flight operated by Helvetic Airways and for which there is a valid contract of carriage.

General Conditions of Carriage:
abb_en.pdf

Further information:

Registering baggage damage or loss:
Should one or several pieces of baggage be damaged on arrival or individual items or the entire content of your baggage be missing, please notify the Helvetic Airways handling agents of this immediately. You will then receive a damage log and will be informed about further actions.

Procedure in case of damaged baggage:

  1. Register damage with Lost&Found (damage report created) at the arrival airport within 7 days.
  2. Please keep all baggage tags, luggage and evidence until the end of the case, otherwise no liability can be accepted.
  3. If you only notice the damage after leaving the airport, a damage report must be created in retrospect within 7 days at the airport. Please note that no liability can be accepted once this deadline has expired.
  4. Have the damaged luggage examined by a specialist:
    1. Is it possible to make a repair? If the answer is yes, have the repair carried out and send us the bill.
    2. If the answer is no, we require confirmation of the current value
    3. Otherwise, we require an original receipt in order to calculate the current value of the luggage. (Minus 10% for every year)
  5. Please send this information as well as your bank details to info@helvetic.com in order to claim compensation
    Helvetic Airways AG
    Steinackerstrasse 56
    CH-8302 Kloten
  6. Max. refund amount: SDR 1000,00 (special drawing rights)

Procedure when baggage is delayed:

  1. Register baggage loss at the arrival airport within 7 days (creation of a baggage loss report).
  2. Please keep all baggage tags and evidence until the end of the case, otherwise no liability can be accepted.
  3. Purchase of the most necessary items; maximum of EUR 100.00 per piece of luggage.
  4. Please keep receipts of purchases and send them to info@helvetic.com or
    Helvetic Airways AG
    Steinackerstrasse 56
    CH-8302 Kloten

Procedure in case of lost baggage:

  1. Register loss with Lost&Found (creation of loss report) at the arrival airport within 7 days.
  2. Tracing process of suitcase lasts 30 days
  3. Suitcase considered total loss after 30 days
  4. Send receipts and value of lost goods to info@helvetic.com or
    Helvetic Airways AG
    Steinackerstrasse 56
    CH-8302 Kloten
  5. Max. refund amount: SDR 1000,00 (special drawing rights)

Hotel

Do you still need somewhere to stay? Book a hotel with our partner HRS.

Go to the hotel offers

Car rental

Do you want to get there faster and independently? Book a rental car with our partner Sunnycars.

Go to the car rental offers

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