Passengers departing from Swiss airports invariably face higher ticket costs compared to other destinations.
Flying from Swiss airports can set you back a pretty penny compared to neighboring countries, and here's why. Airlines like SWISS have a complex pricing structure that takes into account various factors, such as airport fees, fuel costs, supply and demand, aircraft type, and even size. But it's still a mystery that even experts can't crack.
Take the Miles and More frequent flyer program, for instance. You collect miles on flights or purchases with a Miles and More credit card, which you can redeem for rewards like free flights or upgrades. However, things are becoming increasingly difficult for people in Switzerland. A long-haul flight in business class used to cost the same in terms of miles, regardless of whether it left from Zurich with SWISS or from Frankfurt with Lufthansa. But those days are long gone.
Now, traveling from Zurich to Hong Kong in business class costs a whopping 86,610 miles, while from Stuttgart or Cologne, you'd only need 52,304 miles. It's frustrating, isn't it?
So, why the difference? Miles and More justifies this approach by citing the different purchasing power of Swiss vs. German residents. They argue that the Swiss are better off, with an average per capita income of €52,566 compared to €27,848 in Germany. Based on these numbers, they suggest that this adds up to a nearly 60% difference in purchasing power, which is reflected in Miles and More pricing.
But it's not just a German Issue. Passengers from Switzerland almost always pay more than those in Austria, Italy, Belgium, and France.
But there's a loophole! Tages-Anzeiger advises that crossing the border to the nearest foreign airport could help cut costs. So, Zurich residents might save money by flying out of Stuttgart airport, and Ticino residents could choose Milan, while Geneva residents could opt for Lyon. The extra distance might be a hassle, but the potential savings could make it worthwhile.
Interestingly, this phenomenon isn't unique to SWISS. Other airlines may adjust their fares based on local market conditions, leading to higher prices for passengers in certain regions. It's a tricky situation, but knowing this, you can make more informed decisions when planning your next flight.
[4] Market pricing differences, dynamic award pricing changes, and local economic factors contribute to the higher cost of SWISS flights from Swiss airports, according to a study by Skytrax.[5] The Lufthansa Group is phasing out fixed mile prices for award tickets, shifting towards dynamic pricing, effective June 2025, which could further increase costs for award tickets departing from Switzerland.
- The pricing for SWISS flights from Swiss airports is influenced by market pricing differences, dynamic award pricing changes, and local economic factors, as revealed by a study by Skytrax.
- As Lufthansa Group is moving towards dynamic pricing for award tickets, effective June 2025, costs for award tickets departing from Switzerland could potentially rise even higher.
