About Belair Airlines
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.
Airline Overview and History
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:
- 16 October 2001 — Belair Airlines AG entered the Swiss commercial register
- 3 November 2001 — First Belair commercial flight took off from Zurich Airport, operating with aircraft transferred from Balair
- 2001–2007 — Operated as an independent charter airline under Hotelplan ownership, serving Mediterranean and Canary Islands leisure routes from Zurich
- 21 August 2007 — Air Berlin acquired a 49% stake in Belair, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership
- October 2009 — Air Berlin acquired the remaining 51% from Hotelplan, making Belair a wholly owned subsidiary
- 2010 — Expanded into long-haul charter services, deploying Boeing 767 aircraft to the Maldives, Mauritius, and other exotic destinations
- 15 January 2017 — Announced the closure of all routes from Basel-Mulhouse
- 1 April 2017 — Four Airbus A321-200 aircraft began operating on behalf of Niki, switching from Air Berlin to Niki flight numbers on EU routes
- 28 October 2017 — Belair Airlines ceased all operations
- 15 August 2018 — Belair Airlines AG declared insolvency
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.
Fleet and Aircraft
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:
- Boeing 757-200 — Two aircraft inherited from Balair at launch in 2001, used for medium-haul leisure routes. One 757 was specially configured in partnership with REGA (Swiss Air Rescue) for repatriation missions
- Boeing 767-300ER — Leased for long-haul operations to destinations including the Maldives, Mauritius, Gambia, Cuba, Mexico, and South Africa
- Airbus A319-100 — Introduced after Air Berlin integration for short-haul European routes
- Airbus A320-200 — Deployed on medium-demand European leisure routes
- Airbus A321-200 — Four aircraft in the final fleet, configured with approximately 210 seats in a mixed-class layout
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).
Top Flight Routes
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.
European Leisure Routes from Zurich
- Zurich to Palma de Mallorca — One of Belair's most popular routes, connecting Swiss holidaymakers to the Balearic Islands
- Zurich to Alicante — A favourite route for travellers heading to Spain's Costa Blanca
- Zurich to Faro (Portugal) — Gateway to the Algarve region
- Zurich to Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu (Greece) — Seasonal Mediterranean island services
- Zurich to Pristina (Kosovo) — Serving the large Kosovo-Albanian diaspora in Switzerland
- Zurich to Djerba and Enfidha (Tunisia) — North African beach destinations
Long-Haul Seasonal Routes
- Zurich to Malé (Maldives) — Premium leisure route to the Indian Ocean
- Zurich to Mauritius — Connecting to the tropical island in the southern Indian Ocean
- Zurich to Banjul (Gambia) — West African winter sun destination
- Zurich to Varadero (Cuba) — Caribbean beach resort destination
- Zurich to Cancún (Mexico) — Popular for Riviera Maya holidays
- Zurich to Cape Town (South Africa) — Long-haul seasonal service
Routes from Basel-Mulhouse
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:
Baggage Allowance and Policies
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.
Cabin Baggage
- Weight limit: 6 kg per passenger (8 kg if the carry-on item was a laptop bag)
- Pieces allowed: One piece of cabin baggage
Checked Baggage
- Economy Class (short and medium-haul): Up to 20 kg free checked baggage allowance
- Business Class (long-haul): Up to 30 kg free checked baggage allowance
- Flights to/from the United States and Canada: Two pieces of luggage up to 23 kg each
Infant Baggage
- Infants were allocated a free checked baggage allowance of up to 20 kg
- Strollers, car seats, and prams were transported at no extra charge
Prohibited and Restricted Items
Belair Airlines followed international aviation security standards. Key restrictions included:
- Dangerous goods, flammable materials, and sharp objects were prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage
- Lithium batteries and power banks were required in cabin baggage only
- Oversized or special items such as sports equipment required advance notification
Check-in Guide
Airport Counter Check-in
Airport check-in counters for Belair Airlines flights were available at Zurich Airport and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. Recommended arrival times were:
- European flights: At least 2 hours before scheduled departure
- Long-haul flights: At least 3 hours before scheduled departure
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
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.
Cabin Classes and In-Flight Experience
Economy Class
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.
In-Flight Meals and Beverages
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.
In-Flight Entertainment
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.
Passenger Policies and Special Services
Travelling with Children and Infants
- Children (2–11 years): Required their own seat and ticket, must be accompanied by at least one adult
- Infants (under 2 years): Could travel on an accompanying adult's lap with a reduced infant fare
- Required documents: Valid passport for all passengers on international flights
- Strollers and car seats were accepted at the boarding gate free of charge
Pregnant Passengers
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.
Passengers Requiring Special Assistance
- Wheelchair assistance from check-in through boarding and disembarkation
- Priority seating and boarding arrangements
- Assistance for passengers with visual or hearing impairments
- Accommodation of portable medical equipment with advance notice (at least 48 hours before departure)
Unaccompanied Minors
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.
Frequent Flyer Programme
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.
Topbonus Programme Highlights
- Earning miles: Members earned miles on all Belair and Air Berlin flights, as well as flights operated by oneworld alliance partners
- Tier levels: The programme offered Silver and Gold tiers with additional benefits including lounge access, priority boarding, and extra baggage allowance
- Partner network: Over 120 partners including hotels, car rental companies, and retail outlets
- Etihad partnership: In 2012, Etihad Airways purchased a 70% stake in topbonus for EUR 184 million, integrating it with the broader Etihad partner network
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.
Why Book Belair Airlines Flights on Traveloka
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:
- Wide airline selection — Compare flights from hundreds of airlines serving routes to Zurich, Europe, and beyond
- Competitive pricing — Access exclusive deals and promotional fares to popular European destinations
- Easy comparison — Sort and filter flights by price, departure time, duration, and number of stops
- Flexible payment — Pay with credit or debit cards, bank transfers, Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, ShopeePay, or instalment plans
- Instant e-ticket — Receive your booking confirmation immediately via email and the Traveloka app
- 24/7 customer support — Multilingual support team available for any booking issues or travel queries
- Loyalty rewards — Earn Traveloka Points and enjoy cashback on eligible bookings
Belair Airlines Promotions and Deals on 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:
- Check the Traveloka promotions page — Visit the promos section regularly for flash sales and exclusive promo codes on flights to Zurich, Palma de Mallorca, and other European destinations
- Set Price Alerts — Get notified instantly when fares drop on your preferred routes from Kuala Lumpur to Europe
- Book early — Flight prices generally increase closer to the departure date, so booking in advance helps secure lower fares
- Be flexible with dates — Use Traveloka's fare calendar to compare prices across different days and find the cheapest options
- Fly midweek — Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to offer lower fares than weekend departures
- Travel off-peak — Avoid school holidays, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and other major public holidays for lower fares
- Bundle your trip — Book flights and hotels together on Traveloka for additional savings on your European holiday
- Use digital wallets — Pay with Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, or ShopeePay for potential cashback offers
How to Book Belair Airlines Tickets on Traveloka
While Belair Airlines has ceased operations, you can easily book flights to the same destinations on Traveloka with other airlines. Follow these simple steps:
- Visit traveloka.com or open the Traveloka app and navigate to the Flights section
- Enter your departure city (such as Kuala Lumpur) and your destination (such as Zurich, Palma de Mallorca, or any other European city)
- Select your travel dates and specify the number of passengers
- Tap the search button to view all available flights for your route
- Sort results by price, departure time, or duration and select your preferred flight
- Enter passenger details — full name (as on passport), date of birth, nationality, and contact information
- Add optional extras such as additional baggage, seat selection, or travel insurance
- Review your booking summary including total fare, taxes, and add-ons
- Choose your preferred payment method — credit or debit card, bank transfer, Touch 'n Go eWallet, Boost, GrabPay, ShopeePay, or instalment plans
- Complete the payment and receive your e-ticket instantly via email and the Traveloka app
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.