Helvetic Airways
A privately owned Swiss regional airline operating scheduled and partner services, with a network centred on Bern and Zurich.
About Helvetic Airways
Helvetic Airways is a Swiss regional airline founded in 2003 and headquartered in Kloten, near Zurich Airport. It began operations using the Helvetic identity in November of that year. The privately owned carrier operates under the IATA code 2L and ICAO code OAW, combining flights sold under its own name with services flown on behalf of other airlines.
The airline’s recorded network comprises 16 routes serving 9 destinations across 6 countries. Bern has the largest number of departures, followed by Zurich, while Brindisi, Bari and Bristol are also notable departure points. Its destinations include Swiss gateways and regional European or Mediterranean cities such as Catania, Palma and Enfidha, giving the network a strong short-haul and leisure orientation.
The aircraft type associated with this route record is the Fokker 100, a regional jet historically central to Helvetic Airways’ operations. Cabin layouts and onboard service can vary according to the route and whether a flight is operated for another airline. Travellers should therefore check the operating carrier, fare conditions and cabin information shown during booking rather than assuming every Helvetic-operated flight has an identical product.
Helvetic Airways is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld and does not operate a widely established frequent-flyer programme of its own. On flights operated for a partner airline, mileage earning and status benefits may instead follow that airline’s programme and ticket rules. Passengers should confirm eligibility with the airline that issued the ticket before departure.
A genuine strength is Helvetic Airways’ experience with regional European flying and services linking smaller markets with larger gateways. The partnership model can also make its aircraft and crews visible across a broader network than its own published destinations suggest. The corresponding challenge is that branding, baggage terms, check-in arrangements and onboard service may be determined by the marketing airline, so passengers need to read their booking details carefully.
Good to know
Flying with Helvetic Airways — what to expect
Check The Operator
Helvetic Airways frequently operates flights for partner airlines. Your ticket should identify both the marketing airline and the operating carrier.
Baggage Rules Vary
Baggage allowances generally follow the fare and ticketing airline’s conditions. Check the booking confirmation before packing, especially for cabin-bag weight and checked-baggage entitlements.
Regional Jet Cabin
Regional aircraft can offer less overhead-bin space than larger mainline jets. Boarding with a compact cabin bag can reduce the chance that it needs to be placed in the hold.
Partner Check-In
Check-in may be handled through the airline that sold the flight rather than directly through Helvetic Airways. Use the instructions and booking reference provided on your ticket.
Connection Planning
For journeys connecting through Bern or Zurich, keep all sectors on one ticket when practical. This generally provides clearer assistance if an earlier flight is disrupted.
Network overview
Where Helvetic Airways flies
Helvetic Airways operates 16 routes to 9 destinations across 6 countries, its longest sector reaching Bern to Enfidha (1,229 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Helvetic Airways flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Bern → Enfidha
1,229 km · BRN → NBE
The longest sector in the Helvetic Airways network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Helvetic Airways
Notable destinations on Helvetic Airways's network.
2LBerndirect2LZurichdirect2LBrindisidirect2LBaridirect2LBristoldirect2LCataniadirect2LEnfidhadirect2LPalmadirect2LRostockdirectDestination list is indicative of Helvetic Airways's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Helvetic Airways
TripAdvisor · 2017–2023- 515
- 418
- 38
- 22
- 17
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Short flight
Booked the flight via Swiss and ended up taking a place of Helvetic Airways. Never heard of this airline before but the journey is smooth and efficient. Seat is spacious enough for a short ride and arrival is ahead of schedule. Crew is polite.
Posted June 2023 by Leonhkny, Hong Kong
Very unfriendly, unhelpful staff
previous flight delayed and so had next to no time to get to the departure lounge to board Helvetic airlines flight. When I arrived at the departure gate the male member of staff wanted to see every single aspect of my boarding and ID documents and then… See more pointed me to the female member of staff at the desk a mere 3 or so metres away. She informed me that I has missed the boarding slot and therefore I have missed the flight. I tried to tell her that the flight had only just landed and I had sprinted across the whole airport to try and get to this point and it was the same airline, she said that 'its not my (her) problem'. I was left to figure out where to go next and had to go back to the area I had come into the airport, past passport control again to find the transfer desk. That flight was also delayed sufficiently and I could have easily made it aboard but it felt like she was being bloody-minded. The transfer desk was 20 people deep on all sides with one member of staff working there. Staff lacked common sense and duty of care towards their passengers on a busy bank holiday weekend. Don't know what the aircraft is like inside because I never got the chance and given that due to their stance I ended up not getting home for quite some time, I don't really care. Keep your empty seat.
See lessPosted May 2023 by bindu p
Big surprise
I flew business class, that provides more than ample leg room. We got a BIG pillow, a blanket, good food, plenty of varied drinks. ON BOARD shopping... practically unheard of in europe today. .. andcdecent ammenetys invthe WC. Beats LH by 100% and Swiss by… See more 80%. Will defnetly fly Helvetic again and will recomend it as much as possible. Good job. Congratulations.
See lessPosted January 2023 by 183francesv, Zurich
Let down by no online check in
Coach class connection from Florence to Zurich. E190-E2 regional plane. Everything was perfect but lack of online check in.
Posted June 2022 by tim r, Margate
Quick flight
Last leg of my trip, and all was fine. The Boarding went quick, and enough space for my bag in the locker. The seats are large in comparision with other Airlines. Friendly crew who served a drink on this short flight, which was operated for Swiss Intern.… See more Airlines.
See lessPosted March 2020 by travelgrumpy, Leeds
Fine
Final leg of a long haul trip, aircraft was a E190 operating for Swiss. We were on business tickets so the adjoining seast are left free, otherwise it's standard economy seating. Had to overshoot at LCY due to wind shear warning so actually landed 45 mins late… See more but not the airlines fault. Otherwise no problems and seemed just as good as Swiss.
See lessPosted March 2020 by crushertim, Leicester
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
More from Switzerland
Other airlines based in Switzerland
FAQ
Helvetic Airways — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- The allowance can depend on the fare and the airline marketing the flight, particularly when Helvetic Airways operates on a partner’s behalf. Check the baggage rules attached to your ticket for the applicable size, weight and item limits.
- The longest route is Bern to Enfidha, covering about 1,229 km nonstop.
- Helvetic Airways serves regional European and Mediterranean destinations, including Bern, Zurich, Brindisi, Bari, Bristol, Catania, Enfidha, Palma and Rostock.
- The busiest departure points, ranked by number of routes, are Bern, Zurich, Brindisi, Bari and Bristol.
- Fares are often lower when booked outside school holidays and peak summer travel periods. Compare flexible dates and nearby departure airports, as availability can differ substantially between Bern and Zurich.
- Bern is the busiest departure hub in Helvetic Airways’ recorded network, with Zurich the next most important departure point. The airline is headquartered near Zurich Airport.
- Helvetic Airways serves exactly 9 destinations across 6 countries, operating 16 routes.