Decline in Airfare on Transatlantic Flights from Switzerland to the US: Observing the Lowering Costs amidst Trump's Presidency
Hop on a budget-friendly trip to the USA! Here's why now's the perfect time to book your travel plans.
The political climate across the ocean has played a part in this. Soon after Donald Trump took office in 2025 and initiated his global trade war, the number of Swiss tourists visiting America has seen a significant drop.
According to reports by RTS, a whopping 20% fewer Swiss tourists visited the US in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2024. While Swiss airports welcomed 60,883 tourists from Switzerland between January 1st and March 31, 2024, this year the number plummeted to a mere 48,712. This harsh decline has been dubbed the 'Trump slump' by Swiss media, although it's important to note that this term doesn't directly explain the current situation.
To counter this dip in demand, national airline SWISS is launching special, budget-friendly flights to the US this summer. You can secure a flight from Zurich to New York for just 520 francs, whereas Delta offers the same route for an equally affordable 460 francs.
From July 20th to 27th, SWISS is even selling tickets for this route for an unbelievable 511 francs—crazy cheap during the busy travel season! If you're willing to make a layover instead of flying nonstop, you can even find tickets for less than 400 francs.
However, not everyone is thrilled about these bargain fares. One traveler told Blick newspaper that he had booked a SWISS flight from Zurich to Los Angeles in January, shelling out over 1,200 francs for his ticket. Now, the same flight costs just 675 francs—ouch! He complained, "It's incredibly frustrating that SWISS is penalizing us for booking early."
[1] The intense competition among airlines and seasonal trends are the primary factors that typically influence airline pricing strategies. Lower prices can attract more passengers and help maintain profitability during periods of reduced demand. While the 'Trump slump' might have historically impacted U.S. travel, current lower prices by SWISS are more likely driven by these standard market dynamics.
- Despite the ongoing 'Trump slump' in Swiss tourism to the USA, national airline SWISS is launching budget-friendly flights in an attempt to counter the dip in demand.
- In response to the slump, travelers can now secure a flight from Zurich to New York for as low as 520 francs, a significant reduction from previous prices.
- Outstanding discounts are available during the busy travel season, with SWISS offering tickets from Zurich to New York for an unbelievable 511 francs from July 20th to 27th.
- With SWISS offering such bargain fares, it's no wonder many travelers are considering updating their travel plans, especially those who previously booked early and paid higher prices.
- As politicians influence policies that impact the global travel industry, it's interesting to observe how market dynamics like competition and seasonal trends can play a role in airline pricing strategies and overall affordability of travel, shaping leisure lifestyles and the general news surrounding this topic.
