Is 1 hour sufficient to transit in Zurich (Montreal to Rome)?

Question

We're flying from Montreal (YUL) to Rome (FCO) via Zurich (ZRH), both on Swiss Airlines.

We have 1 hour transit time.

From what I can see, we'll have to change terminal (terminal 2 to terminal 1)

Obviously we'll tell the staff when checking our bags (cannot do only carryon) and tag the luggage as "priority" and tell the staff on the plane before landing to see if we can deboard before other passengers.

Are we screwed ?

Addendum : first flight is delayed 40 minutes... it's going to be a long day...

Final: first flight delayed too long to make original connection, we were rebooked on ITA a couple hours later. Thanks to Zurich airport staff.

Answer 1

Provided both flights are on the same ticket, the airline thinks you can do it. If you don’t, they may be liable for compensation (a pretty large amount compared to the likely cost of the ticket), so they have a strong incentive to make sure you do.

Airports and airlines define a “minimum connection time” (MCT) for various types of connections (e.g. domestic-to-domestic, international-to-domestic, etc.), and airlines won’t sell a connection below that MCT.

While tight, the connection is quite doable. If Swiss think it may become difficult, they will probably send someone to your gate to escort you to your flight and possibly jump a few queues.

They are also likely to hold the onward flight for a short while if needed. Traditional carriers like Swiss make a lot of their business on connecting flights like this one, it should be a pretty well oiled machine.

The two most time-consuming parts of the connection should be going through passport control and through security (in both cases dedicated to transfer passengers). The rest is just moving around, either short distances, or using the automated people mover. You won’t need to retrieve your bags or check them back in.

If you end up missing your connecting flight, Swiss have to rebook you on the next available flight, which will be later the same day.

Also remember that depending on the reason for the delay (and the actual delay), you may be owed compensation.

Of course if you did not book the itinerary as a single ticket but as two independent flights, then the situation is completely different and the connection is just impossible.

Answer 2

I don’t see an issue with this connection if it is a legal connection. I’ve done shorter in ZRH (BRU-IAD) although there was no customs. It is stressful because the only viable way between the two terminals is with this underground train, so when you just miss one waiting for the next seems like eternity.

The checked luggage can be loaded very late, after boarding has ended. If you make it to your flights, the odds are your luggage also made it (unless this is YYZ).

Of course you can always ask a flight attendant (if your arrival is delayed) if you can deplane first but Swiss is usually ontime and if not they will re-accommodate you on the next flight.

Answer 3

You do not have to change terminals. There is only one terminal in ZRH.

You will have to get from the E dock to the A or B dock, wich will involve a short train ride. Then you will have to go through passport control. Your luggage will be transferred for you, you will not see it till Rome. In Rome you then just walk of the plan and to luggage retrieval, there will not be an additional passport check.

1 hour is perfectly fine to do this, so do not worry.

(Note about the two "terminals" some people think exist: There is only one terminal. There are four docks: A and B for Schengen flights, and D and E for non Schenge flights. There is however only one terminal)