
Belair Airlines, legally Belair Airlines AG, was a Swiss charter and scheduled airline headquartered in Glattbrugg, near Zurich Airport, in Switzerland. Operating under IATA code 4T and ICAO code BHP with the callsign BELAIR, the airline served European leisure destinations and select long-haul routes from its primary hub at Zurich Airport (ZRH) and its secondary base at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL). Originally founded in October 2001 by tour operator Hotelplan in the aftermath of the Swissair collapse, Belair was later acquired by Air Berlin and became a full subsidiary of the German low-cost carrier. The airline ceased operations on 28 October 2017 following the insolvency of its parent company, Air Berlin.
Although Belair Airlines is no longer operational, this page provides comprehensive information about the airline's history, fleet, routes, and policies for travellers researching the carrier or looking for alternative flight options on Traveloka.
Belair Airlines emerged during one of the most turbulent periods in Swiss aviation history. Following the grounding of Swissair on 2 October 2001, the Swiss travel group Hotelplan — a subsidiary of Migros — moved swiftly to establish a new charter carrier to replace the defunct Balair, which had been a Swissair subsidiary. Key milestones in Belair's history include:
Throughout its 16 years of operation, Belair's primary hub was Zurich Airport, from which approximately 80% of its departures originated. The airline catered primarily to Swiss leisure travellers through partnerships with tour operators including Hotelplan and Kuoni. In its final full year of operations (2016), the airline generated approximately 90 million Swiss francs in revenue.
Belair Airlines operated a mixed fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft over the course of its history, evolving from an all-Boeing fleet to an Airbus-dominated narrowbody fleet following the Air Berlin acquisition. The fleet composition included:
Aircraft were leased from Macquarie AirFinance and ILFC, with fleet maintenance outsourced to SR Technics at Zurich Airport. Belair maintained compliance with Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) safety standards throughout its operations, and no fatal accidents were recorded during the Belair operating period (2001–2017).
Belair Airlines operated a network focused on connecting Switzerland with popular European holiday destinations and select long-haul leisure markets. While the airline is no longer operational, travellers from Malaysia can still book flights to many of the destinations Belair once served through Traveloka.
Belair also operated European leisure routes from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg before closing all Basel operations in January 2017.
For Malaysian travellers looking to explore similar European and long-haul destinations, you can search and book flights on Traveloka:
Belair Airlines followed baggage policies aligned with Air Berlin's standards during the period it operated as a subsidiary. Below is a summary of the baggage allowance that applied on Belair flights.
Belair Airlines followed international aviation security standards. Key restrictions included:
Airport check-in counters for Belair Airlines flights were available at Zurich Airport and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. Recommended arrival times were:
Check-in counters typically opened 2.5 to 3 hours before departure and closed between 30 to 60 minutes prior, depending on the airport terminal.
Online check-in was available through the Air Berlin website, typically opening 30 hours before departure. Passengers could select their seats, choose meal preferences, and download their boarding passes. After completing online check-in, travellers with checked baggage could proceed to the dedicated baggage drop counter, saving time at the airport.
Belair Airlines operated a predominantly economy-class cabin configuration on its Airbus A319, A320, and A321 fleet. Features included standard seat pitch, adjustable headrests, and overhead storage. On the four A321-200 aircraft, the airline offered approximately 210 seats in a mixed-class layout.
Belair partnered with Sansibar Restaurant in Germany to provide a la carte meals for passengers. On flights exceeding nine hours, meals were freshly prepared on board. Passengers with dietary requirements — including halal, vegetarian, or allergy-specific meals — were requested to pre-order at least 24 hours before departure. Complimentary snacks and beverages were served on shorter European routes.
Entertainment options varied by aircraft type. Passengers were encouraged to bring personal devices loaded with content for longer flights. The cabin crew provided attentive and professional service throughout the journey, reflecting the airline's Swiss hospitality standards.
Belair Airlines followed Air Berlin's pregnancy policy. Passengers in the early and middle stages of pregnancy could fly without restriction. A medical fitness-to-fly certificate was generally required for passengers beyond 28 weeks of pregnancy, and travel was not permitted beyond 36 weeks. Passengers were advised to consult their healthcare provider before booking flights in later stages of pregnancy.
Children between the ages of 5 and 11 were eligible for the unaccompanied minor service, which provided supervision from departure to arrival. Parents or guardians were required to complete the necessary documentation and ensure a designated responsible adult was present at both departure and arrival airports.
Belair Airlines did not operate its own standalone frequent flyer programme. As a full subsidiary of Air Berlin, passengers flying on Belair-operated routes under the 4T code could earn and redeem miles through Air Berlin's topbonus loyalty programme.
Following the insolvency of Air Berlin, the topbonus programme filed for insolvency on 25 August 2017. The programme is no longer active. Travellers looking for a loyalty programme can explore Traveloka Points, which offer rewards and cashback on flight bookings across all airlines available on the platform.
While Belair Airlines is no longer operational, Traveloka remains your trusted platform for booking flights to destinations previously served by the airline. Here are the benefits of booking through Traveloka:
Although Belair Airlines is no longer operating, Traveloka regularly offers promotions and deals on flights to destinations that were previously part of Belair's network. To find the best flight deals to Europe and beyond:
While Belair Airlines has ceased operations, you can easily book flights to the same destinations on Traveloka with other airlines. Follow these simple steps:
For real-time flight updates and status information, visit the Traveloka Flight Status page. Save or print your e-ticket for reference at the airport, and you are all set to explore Europe and beyond.
Berikut adalah langkah-langkah untuk menempah tiket Belair Airlines secara dalam talian:
Pembayaran untuk tiket Belair Airlines boleh dibuat melalui pemindahan bank dan kad kredit.
Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai kaedah pembayaran yang tersedia, sila lawati halaman Kaedah Pembayaran.
E-tiket Belair Airlines berfungsi sebagai bukti tempahan anda untuk penerbangan Belair Airlines. Tunjukkan e-tiket anda di kaunter Belair Airlines semasa daftar masuk (sama ada di lapangan terbang atau dalam talian) untuk mendapatkan pas masuk anda. Jika anda tidak menerima e-tiket dalam masa 60 minit selepas pembayaran, sila hubungi Khidmat Pelanggan Traveloka dengan segera.
A flight from Kuala Lumpur to Zurich typically takes approximately 12 to 13 hours for a direct flight, or longer with one or more stopovers depending on the airline and routing. Check estimated flight times via Traveloka Flight Status.
You can check your flight status directly on Traveloka via the Flight Status page to get real-time updates on departure times, delays, and gate information for flights to Zurich and other European cities.


