I want to get from Zurich to Paris and it seems the cheapest way is on Easy jet connecting through Luton (thanks Rex!!!). I have a few questions:
1. Most posters on this board who have used Easyjet recommend arriving two hours before departure to get a good boarding number. Does this also apply to transerring ie would one have to get to Luton two hours early? or can one check in for the second flight at the first point of departure?
2. Can one check ones baggage at the first point of departure?
3. If the first flight is delayed and the connection is missed, will Easyjet allow the second flight to be changed for no extra charge (ie it is their fault).

Any other tips regarding this plan would also be most welcome!

Thanks

1) You should have your flights be as far apart as possible. EasyJet is a strictly point-to-point airline.

2) No. See #1.

3) I think EasyJet is more lenient than Ryanair, but it's not something you can count on, from what I can tell. Read the EasyJet terms and conditions very carefully and see what conclusion you come to.

I wouldn't consider connecting flights on EasyJet (or other budget carrier) without an overnight in between. That might be too severe a reaction, but I would get very tense with the possibility of being delayed, which certainly does happen.

I usually allow a minimum of 2 and a half hours for a connecting Easyjet flight, because it can take some time to get your bags and then check in and go through security again. There is usually a member of Easyjet staff manning the check-in queues so if you're in a hurry to check in, they're usually able to let you through quickly.

Easyjet aren't obliged to put you onto a second flight if you miss yours due to a delay on another Easyjet flight, but they are usually OK about it. Also, if you have good travel insurance they should cover you for any expenses incurred if you miss a connecting flight (happened to my mother a while ago - her Amex travel insurance paid for accommodation and booked her onto the next flight).

Easyjet has direct Geneva to Paris Orly flights. If you have some sort of train pass it may be worth looking into just taking the train from Zurich to Geneva airport. Once you add the airport taxes you may find it's just as cheap to take the train to GVA. Otherwise you really do need to allow at least 3 hours between your ZRH-LTN and LTN-CDG flights to collect your bags and check in for the Paris flight, and go through security again.

In answer to your questions:

1. Yes. Also, remember that as a budget airline, Easyjet do have a tendancy to run late - in my experience, the later in the day your flight the more likely it is to be delayed.

2. No, Easyjet don't check through - you'll have to collect your bags, pass through customs, check in and go through customs again to get your flight.

3. Highly unlikely. Easyjet will help you in that they will arrange for you to be transferred to the next flight - even if it means a switch to Gatwick - but they won't pay for any extra expenses (accomodation or train fares, for example) and they will make you pay any difference in fare between the amount you have paid and the amount being charged on the website at that time. They are more lenient than Ryanair, but they are still a budget airline so don't expect the extras.

My advice would be to have a look at the Geneva - Paris flight or look at booking an overnight at Luton. There is a UK based website - www.holidayextras.co.uk - which I have used on a number of occasions to book hotel accomodation at airports when going on holiday and this might help if you want to do this. Also, Luton is about 3/4 by train from central London so an extra side trip would be possible.

An additional thought-The cheapest flights from ZRH-LTN is 40sfr. incl. taxes. The full fare for the train from Zurich to GVA is 79sfr. (of course if you have some sort of pass or the halbtax card it would be even less) I think for the time saved, extra possible expense of hotel in London, and not having to worry about missing a connecting flight the extra 39sfr. is well worth the cost.

Gee, thanks guys! What a font of useful info. I think I might actually just take the train from Zurich to Paris. It takes around 7 hours, but saves a lot of hassle!!!