Zurich Airport Private Jet Terminal and Geneva FBOs: Chauffeur Pickup Guide

At Zurich Airport (ZRH), Jet Aviation operates a private jet terminal (FBO) at the General Aviation Center in Kloten, and in June 2021 it acquired the former ExecuJet FBO opposite, adding a second terminal. At Geneva Airport (GVA), the business-aviation FBOs, including Signature (Terminal C3) and Jet Aviation, are on Chemin des Papillons. A SWISSTRIP chauffeur meets you at the FBO entrance or, where the FBO and airport authorize it, ramp-side at the aircraft steps.

Key facts

• Flight tracking by aircraft registration (tail number), plus 60 minutes of complimentary waiting time
• No prepayment; pay by bank transfer, cash, Visa/Mastercard or TWINT in the vehicle; VAT-compliant corporate invoices
• Available 24/7, with multilingual, security-trained chauffeurs

Which FBOs operate at Zurich Airport?

When people search for the "Zurich Airport private jet terminal", they usually mean the business-aviation FBOs, which are separate from the main passenger terminals. Jet Aviation's Zurich FBO is at the General Aviation Center in Kloten and lists an executive lounge, conference rooms, crew facilities and immigration and customs on the premises, with published opening hours of 06:00 to 22:00 daily.

One change matters for anyone using older guides: on 25 June 2021, Jet Aviation announced that it had acquired ExecuJet's Zurich FBO and hangar operations, located opposite its existing FBO, adding a second FBO terminal to its Zurich footprint. ExecuJet should therefore no longer be treated as a separate FBO at Zurich. Because "Jet Aviation" alone may not tell your chauffeur which door to wait at, we confirm the exact terminal with your operator or handling agent before the flight.

Geneva Airport (GVA): business aviation on Chemin des Papillons

At Geneva, the business-aviation FBOs sit along Chemin des Papillons. Signature Geneva operates in Terminal C3, and Jet Aviation Geneva has its FBO on the same street. Both list immigration and customs on site and publish daily opening hours of 06:00 to 22:00. Signature also offers call-out on request for movements outside those hours.

Signature states that prior permission is required at Geneva and that the FBO obtains it on the operator's behalf, so passengers do not need to arrange anything themselves. Geneva is also the natural gateway to the French Alps and the western Swiss resorts. Our Geneva to French Alps transfer guide covers the onward routes.

Airside or landside: where your chauffeur meets you

Landside at the FBO (standard)

Your chauffeur waits at the FBO entrance with a name sign while FBO staff help bring your luggage through. Immigration and customs are handled inside the FBO, so it is only a few steps from the lounge to the car.

Ramp-side at the aircraft (upon authorization)

Where the FBO and airport authorize it, the vehicle can be positioned on the apron next to the aircraft, so you step from the stairs straight into the car and your luggage is loaded at the plane. Access depends on the FBO's procedures, apron traffic and security requirements, so it is arranged case by case and cannot be promised in advance. We submit the driver and vehicle details the FBO asks for and confirm before arrival whether the pickup will be ramp-side or at the entrance.

Flying commercial instead?

On scheduled flights, Zurich Airport offers its own VIP Service, booked directly with the airport, which includes transfers by luxury vehicle between the aircraft and its VIP lounge. SWISSTRIP then takes over at the pickup point for the onward journey. Our Zurich Airport Meet & Greet guide explains how this works.

Documents and information to send before landing

Private-jet pickups run smoothly when the chauffeur has the same information as the FBO. Please send:

1. Aircraft registration and operator, so we can follow the flight and identify the right FBO.
2. FBO or handling agent at the arrival airport, especially at Zurich, where Jet Aviation operates two terminals.
3. Estimated arrival time, stating whether it is local time or UTC.
4. Passenger names, number of bags and special items such as skis, golf bags, child seats or pets.
5. Destination and any stops, for example a hotel, chalet, office or helipad.

Passengers should carry the passport or ID and any visa they need, as border formalities take place inside the FBO.

How far ahead to book, and what if the jet is early or late?

Book as soon as your slot is known. Ramp-side access takes time to arrange with the FBO, and vehicle choice is widest with notice. Short-notice requests are possible 24/7 via WhatsApp, subject to availability.

Private-jet schedules change often. We follow the flight by its registration and adjust the chauffeur's timing to the actual landing, not the original plan. If the departure slips, we re-time the pickup. If you need longer after landing, for example for customs or a crew briefing, 60 minutes of complimentary waiting time are included.

The right vehicle at the steps

• Mercedes-Maybach S 560: up to 3 passengers and 4 bags, for principals who want a rear-seat lounge.
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223: up to 3 passengers and 4 bags, the discreet executive choice.
• Mercedes-Benz V 250 AMG: up to 6 passengers and 4 bags, with a luggage trailer option for ski equipment.
• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter VIP: up to 15 passengers and 15 bags for an entourage or crew. Minibuses and coaches are available for larger groups.

All chauffeurs are security-trained, and close protection can be arranged through licensed partners. For delegations, a principal car is often combined with a V-Class or Sprinter for staff and luggage.

Onward: chauffeur or helicopter to the Alps

Most FBO pickups continue by road to a hotel, chalet or office. If you are unsure whether Zurich or Geneva is the better arrival airport for your resort, see which airport to use for Swiss ski resorts.

When time is tight, we coordinate helicopter transfers with partner operators. The chauffeur meets you at the FBO, takes care of luggage and ski gear, and either drives you to the helicopter or sends the bags ahead by road. Helicopter flights depend on the weather, so we plan a road alternative as a back-up. See our helicopter transfers guide for details.

For the Engadin, some jets continue to Engadin Airport St. Moritz–Samedan. At 1,707 m, it describes itself as Europe's highest-altitude airport, and we can meet you there for the drive to St. Moritz. During the World Economic Forum (WEF), temporary airspace restrictions apply around Davos, so check the current year's rules with your operator early, and read our WEF Davos logistics guide for ground planning.

Request a fixed price

Send us the aircraft registration, FBO, arrival time and destination, and we will confirm the vehicle, meeting point and a fixed price in advance, with no prepayment. Contact us through our contact page, on WhatsApp or at service@swiss-trip.ch.