KLM Flight Delay Compensation

KLM flight delay compensation.

Are you eligible for it? How much can you claim? What are the rules?

Most people don’t know this, but in many situations, you can claim compensation for a delayed flight. It doesn’t matter what’s your nationality, how much your ticket costs or whether you have travel insurance or not — mostly none of that matters. That’s just the laws in the EU, and KLM has to follow these laws. KLM also has to pay compensation when it is due.

You can claim it yourself, or you can hand it over to professionals.

1. KLM Flight Delay Compensation: EU Regulations

The rules in these situations are super simple.

Delay must be at least 3 hours long, and it must be due to KLM fault.

If you’re flying to or from Europe, your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours, and it’s the airline’s fault — you are entitled to compensation up to €600. If you’re flying with a non-EU airline, it applies only to flights departing from Europe. KLM is a European airline. So, the rules apply to all KLM flights to, within and from Europe.

• 3+ hour delay;
• It’s fault of KLM;
• Flight is to/from Europe.

By Europe and EU here on this page we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

In some situations, however, you won’t be entitled to compensation. 

If your flight is delayed due to extreme weather conditions or airport staff strike, in these situations you can’t get EU flight delay compensation. At the same time you should remember that not all airport strikes are the same — in some situations you will be entitled to KLM flight compensation. Another thing to remember is that not always airlines are telling the truth. 

When in doubt, double check what you’re told.

Another option is to hand over the case to a flight compensation company, for them to double check it on your behalf. Just to be sure you aren’t being lied to. For example, technical problems with the airplane mostly isn’t considered extraordinary circumstances. 

1.2 How to Calculate the Delay Time?

What matters is the time of arrival to your final destination.

The same stands true with connecting flights.

Not the time of departure, not how much later did your plane depart, but the time of arrival to your destination, and more exactly, when the doors of the airplane are opened. If they are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, then it’s highly likely that you will be entitled to flight compensation.

1.3 Right to Care

If you have to wait at the airport, you have a right to care.

In case of flight delay you are not only entitled to a compensation but also have a right to care, as long as the waiting time at the airport is at least 3 hours.

KLM must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. Free hotel accommodation (including transportation from and to the airport) must be offered, if the flight is delayed overnight.

2. How to Claim KLM Flight Compensation?

There are two most popular ways to claim EU flight compensation.

One of the options is to contact KLM directly. Contact KLM customer support center via their website, and request compensation for delay. Be prepared that it may take months. Be also prepared to negotiations. Make sure you have all the information about your flight, you know what exactly happened and how much later did you arrive to your destination. 

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case everything is handled by legal professionals. All that you are mostly asked to do is to fill in a single form — compensation claim form. Our partners offer such services.

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

Mostly it takes at least a couple of months.

On average it takes between 2 to 3 months.

It’s from the moment you file a claim until your KLM flight delay compensation arrives in your bank account. Every time there’s a need to take a case to national enforcement body or court, it adds at least a couple of months, sometimes 6+ months to the whole process. That’s one of the reasons why so many choose to work with flight compensation companies instead of doing everything themselves — because it may take a lot of time.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.

Here is how you can calculate the amount of KLM delay compensation:

When your destination is within the EU:

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When your destination is outside the EU:

There’s one exception. When the distance is 3500 kilometres or more and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later, you are entitled to compensation of €300, not €600. If the delay is longer than 4 hours, you will get full compensation of €600.

3.1 KLM Voucher Refund or Cash?

You might be offered a voucher instead of compensation.

Many airlines were offering coupons during COVID crisis. 

However, you don’t have to accept a voucher or coupon. Unless, of course, you want a coupon instead of money. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. Always.

KLM Flight Delay Compensation: FAQ

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

Do you still have questions about KLM compensation policies? Ask in the comments.

Featured photo by Viola ‘ from Pixabay