Edelweiss Air
EU CarrierWK / EDW · CH
Edelweiss Air: Airline Profile & Passenger Guide
Edelweiss Air (IATA: WK) is a Swiss leisure airline and a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), which is itself part of the Lufthansa Group. Operating from its base at Zurich Airport (ZRH), Edelweiss serves over 50 destinations worldwide, focusing on holiday and leisure routes. The airline carries approximately 2 million passengers per year.
EC261 Legal Status - Edelweiss Air
Switzerland is not an EU member state but has a bilateral air transport agreement with the EU. Edelweiss Air, as a Swiss carrier, is covered by equivalent passenger rights provisions under Swiss law that mirror EC261. The regulation applies to all Edelweiss flights departing from EU/EEA airports, and Swiss law provides equivalent protections for flights from Swiss airports. The responsible authority is the BAZL/FOCA (Federal Office of Civil Aviation Switzerland).
€250 - €600
Compensation amounts mirror EC261: €250 (or CHF equivalent) for flights under 1,500 km, €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, and €600 for flights over 3,500 km. Edelweiss's long-haul leisure routes to the Caribbean, Maldives, and Americas qualify for the maximum €600 per passenger.
- Zurich to Palma de Mallorca (1,162 km): €250
- Zurich to Heraklion (1,753 km): €400
- Zurich to Cancún (8,498 km): €600
- Zurich to Malé (7,952 km): €600
The fleet consists of Airbus A320 family aircraft for short- and medium-haul European leisure routes and Airbus A340 widebodies for long-haul destinations in the Americas, Caribbean, and Indian Ocean. Edelweiss fills the leisure niche within the Lufthansa Group's Swiss operations, offering direct flights from Zurich to holiday destinations that SWISS does not serve on its mainline network.
Punctuality at Edelweiss is generally good, benefiting from Zurich Airport's efficient operations and Swiss aviation infrastructure. However, as a leisure carrier, peak season operational pressure during European school holidays and winter ski season can affect on-time performance.
Not every disruption qualifies for compensation. Understanding the most common causes can help you assess whether your delay was within the airline's control.
Common Causes
Why Edelweiss Flights Get Disrupted
- Alpine weather at Zurich - fog, snowfall, and winter storms affecting departures
- A340 widebody technical issues - older long-haul aircraft requiring unscheduled maintenance
- Late-returning long-haul aircraft - delays on inbound flights from distant destinations cascade into turnarounds
- Infrastructure limitations at holiday destination airports - ground handling and capacity constraints
- ATC restrictions across European airspace, particularly over France and Italy
How to Claim Directly from Edelweiss Air
Edelweiss Air handles claims through its contact page on the flyedelweiss.com website. Submit a written claim referencing EC Regulation 261/2004 (or the Swiss equivalent), including your booking reference, flight number and date, passenger details, and a description of the disruption. Edelweiss's customer service is shared with SWISS, so your claim may be handled by the Lufthansa Group's centralized customer relations team.
DIY Process
How to Claim Directly from Edelweiss Air
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1
Gather your booking reference, flight number, date, boarding pass, and disruption documentation
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2
Submit a written claim through Edelweiss's contact page, referencing EC261 or Swiss equivalent passenger rights
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3
Wait up to 30 days for a response - Edelweiss/SWISS customer relations handles claims centrally
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4
If rejected, escalate to BAZL/FOCA (Switzerland) or the NEB of your EU departure country
The typical response time is approximately 30 days. As a Lufthansa Group subsidiary, Edelweiss's claims handling follows similar processes to SWISS and Lufthansa. The airline generally processes claims in a structured manner, though responses can sometimes be formulaic. If Edelweiss offers a voucher or SWISS miles instead of cash, you are entitled to decline and insist on monetary compensation.
Edelweiss flight disrupted?
Check your eligibility and claim up to €600 in compensation.
Passenger
J. SMITH
Flight
BA 2761
LHR
London
BCN
Barcelona
STATUS
3H DELAYPassenger
M. JOHNSON
Flight
KL 1009
AMS
Amsterdam
FCO
Rome
STATUS
CANCELLEDIf your claim is rejected, escalate to the BAZL/FOCA (Federal Office of Civil Aviation) in Switzerland. Switzerland also has a well-regarded ombudsman service for travel disputes. For Edelweiss flights departing from EU airports, the NEB of that departure country also has jurisdiction under EC261 directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about claiming EC261 compensation.
Switzerland is not in the EU - do I have the same rights on Edelweiss flights?
Largely, yes. Switzerland has a bilateral air transport agreement with the EU that incorporates equivalent passenger rights. For flights from Swiss airports, Swiss law provides protections mirroring EC261. For Edelweiss flights departing from EU airports, EC261 applies directly. The compensation amounts and qualifying criteria are the same in both cases.
My flight was booked through SWISS but operated by Edelweiss - who handles my claim?
Your EC261 claim should be directed to the operating carrier - Edelweiss Air. While SWISS and Edelweiss share customer service infrastructure, the legal obligation lies with Edelweiss. Check your boarding pass for the WK flight number to confirm Edelweiss as the operator.
Can I claim in Swiss francs instead of euros?
For flights departing from Switzerland, compensation may be paid in CHF at the equivalent value. For flights departing from EU airports, compensation is denominated in euros under EC261. Either way, the monetary value is equivalent - the currency depends on the applicable legal framework and departure country.
Contact for Claims
Online Claim Form
www.flyedelweiss.comFederal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA)
Bundesamt für Zivilluftfahrt (BAZL)
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Check Your Compensation
Enter your flight details to see if you qualify for up to €600 per person.