Swiss Airlines is offering a five-figure “lump sum” to its cabin crew members who are willing to quit.
The carrier confirmed the news this month. It will give select cabin crew workers up to CHF 15,000 ($19,000) to voluntarily give up their posts at the company, or take a year-long leave of absence. Those who take the money and temporarily terminate their employment are guaranteed their jobs back upon return.
Die Presse, an Austrian German-language newspaper, claims Swiss Airlines began presenting its offer to the cabin crew in early March. As of this reporting, those workers don’t have much time to make a choice. Those accepting the lump sum will have until April to end their contract with the carrier. However, they’ll have until August of this year to completely exit their role.
A Swiss Airlines spokesperson has shared that 4,000 cabin crew are being targeted with the offer. Those workers are reportedly based in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city.
Why Has Swiss Airlines’ Given Cabin Crew Members An Offer To Quit?
The airline wants to avoid layoffs. At the same time, it’s trying to address being overstaffed while operating fewer flights. The airline reportedly cited “engine problems” and a “shortage of cockpit crew” as causes for the reduction in flights. Also, Die Presse reported that Swiss Airlines hired a surplus of cabin crew in Fall 2025.
“In recent months, we have already offered voluntary options such as unpaid leave or individual time off. Many colleagues take advantage of such options when they best suit their personal circumstances,” a spokesperson to the Austrian publication.
“Layoffs are not currently planned and would be a last resort if the voluntary measures prove insufficient,” noted the airline. “We expect this situation to gradually normalize in the coming months and to balance out again by the beginning of 2027 at the latest,” a spokesperson added.
