KLM Compensation for Delayed or Canceled Flight

KLM Flight Delay Compensation

Flight delays could be a headache, it can affect your travel plans. We could give you a little relief if any such mishaps occurred. Under EU law, you could be eligible for flight delay compensation.

If your KLM flight was delayed for more than three hours at the final destination then you might be eligible for KLM compensation of up to €600 for each passenger.

Passengers are only entitled to compensation if the flight disruption was due to the airline’s fault and not due to “extraordinary circumstances”, and they traveled to, from, or via a European destination.

KLM Flight Cancellation Compensation

If your KLM flight was canceled without prior notice of at least 14 days, you may ask for flight cancellation compensation or a refund.

KLM may cancel their flights due to various reasons. However, you are protected with reimbursement under certain conditions.

If KLM Airlines’s flight was canceled, you have two options to choose from …

1. Apply for a refund, or
2. Ask for an alternative flight

If your alternate flight is delayed for more than 2 hours at the final destination, you could be eligible for delayed flight compensation.

The amount of compensation for a canceled flight ranges from 125 euros to 600 euros, depending on factors such as the

1. Number of days you were informed beforehand.
2. The length of the delay.
3. The distance of the route.

It’s important to note that no compensation can be claimed for flight cancellations caused by extraordinary circumstances.

KLM Airlines Passengers’ Rights

If you have booked your flight with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked, you could be eligible for compensation under EC Regulation 261/2004.

EC 261 rule protects air passengers and helps them receive compensation or refund for the inconvenience caused due to the airlines’ fault.

Flight Delay Rights

For longer flight delays, you may request compensation or a refund.

• Late Departure: For more than 2 hours of flight delays, you are entitled to right-to-care services such as free meals and refreshments. And refund when the delays go beyond 5 hours.
• Hotel Accommodation: For an overnight delay, or when a stay becomes necessary, airlines should provide hotel accommodation and transport facilities.
• Late Arrival: Your flight should be late for more than 3 hours at the final destination.
• Departure and Arrival Airport: Your journey should either start from an EU airport or land at one with an EU-regulated airline.
• Extraordinary Circumstances: Delays due to situations beyond the airline’s control won’t qualify for compensation.

Flight Cancellation Rights

Under EU Regulation if your flight has been canceled, you may have these 3 options to choose from …

• You may ask for a full refund of the flight ticket cost, (or)
• Replacement flight to the final destination on the same day, (or)
• Replacement flight to your final destination later at your convenience.

These are deemed responsibilities of the airlines to ensure that your journey is safe and comfortable.

If you were offered an alternate flight that was delayed on arrival for more than 2 hours you could also be entitled to compensation under the EU law.

Overbooked Flight Rights

Under the EU Regulation 261/2004, if you are involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking, you may have the following rights:

• Entitled to overbooked flight compensation between €250 to €600
• Refund of the flight ticket or alternative transportation

In case, you were offered an alternate flight but reached the destination later than two hours, you could be entitled to compensation.

Missed Connection Flight Rights

You may be eligible for missed connection compensation under the European Union Regulation EC 261 under the following conditions:

• the entire journey was booked under one booking reference
• your KLM flight departed from the EU member state, or arrived at the EU member state
• and, you reached the final destination later than three hours

When can you claim KLM compensation?

All passengers whose KLM flights were delayed or canceled are protected under EU law. This law ensures that every air traveler has the right to compensation for KLM flight disruption.

The most important factors to be considered while claiming KLM compensation are:

1. The delay at the final destination was more than 3 hours.
2. Your flight departed from an EU airport or arrived at an EU airport.
3. The disruption was not caused by extraordinary circumstances.
4. The delay or cancellation wasn’t caused more than 3 years ago.

Can I claim KLM flight compensation due to bad weather?

If your flight delay or cancellation was due to bad weather, it is often considered extraordinary circumstances and beyond the airline’s control. In such cases, the airline may not be obligated to provide compensation.

However, they are still required to provide assistance and care, such as meals and accommodation, depending on the length of the delay.

Are the passengers outside the EU eligible for compensation?

The below table shows when you are eligible to receive compensation under the European Regulation EC 261 of 2004.

Thus, it doesn’t matter the citizenship, if the departure was from an EU airport, or your KLM flight landed at an EU airport, you could be eligible for compensation.

How much compensation can you claim?

The amount of compensation to claim varies from 250€ to 600€. It depends upon the route distance and the length of the delay.

The table below clarifies how much you can claim for KLM Airlines’ delayed or canceled flight.

Helpful information about KLM Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, legal name Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. also known as KLM, came into existence in 1919.

It is one of the oldest airlines that still happens to be operating under its original name. It is known as one of the safest airlines all over the world.

The subsidiaries include Transavia, KLM Cityhopper, KLM Asia, Cygnific, and Martin Air. Its parent company is Air France-KLM Group, which is also a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance.