KLM Flight Cancellation Compensation

KLM flight cancellation compensation.

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

Flights get cancelled every day, and the reasons vary a lot. However, the important thing is to remember that whenever that happens and it’s the airline’s fault, you may be entitled both to a full refund and EU flight cancellation compensation up to €600 per passenger. With KLM it applies to most of its flights to and from the European Union. 

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

1. KLM Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

Will you receive a ticket for a new flight free of charge?

Can you get a full refund instead? Are you entitled to compensation?

Flight compensation rules in the European Union are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Conditions for claiming compensation:

• It’s fault of KLM;
• Last-minute flight cancellation (less than 14 days);
• 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 cancelled due to extreme weather conditions, national strike or security issues at the airport, in these situations you can’t get EU flight cancellation compensation. At the same time you should remember that not all airport strikes are considered the same — in some situations you will be entitled to KLM flight compensation. 

Another thing to remember — double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling the truth. 

You can also 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 aren’t considered extraordinary circumstances. 

1.2 Right to Care

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

With KLM it applies to most of its flights to and from the European Union. For example, if it’s a last-minute cancellation, and you have to wait at the airport, you have a right to care. As long as the waiting time at the airport is at least 3 hours. What does it mean for you?

KLM must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, free hotel accommodation (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 KLM Refund Policy

In the European Union the rules are very simple.

According to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled, the airline should offer you either a new flight or a full refund. Since KLM is a EU airline, it applies to most of its flights to and from the EU. The refund should be paid within 7 days to your bank account. In these situations it doesn’t even matter what is the reason of the cancellation. 

You don’t have to agree to KLM voucher refund.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

All of this is possible thanks to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. To put it simply, it’s a law in the European Union created to regulate air passenger rights when flight is cancelled, heavily delayed or overbooked (and as a result someone is denied boarding).

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 or social media channels, and request compensation for cancellation. Refer to above mentioned regulation. Be prepared that it may take months until you receive your money.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case everything is handled by a law office. All that you are mostly asked to do is to fill in a single form — compensation claim form. So you only register your KLM compensation claim once, and the rest is done by the company. Our partners offer such services.

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

On average the process takes between 2 to 3 months.

It’s from the moment you file a compensation claim until your KLM flight cancellation compensation arrives in your bank account. Note that in some situations it might be necessary to take a case to national enforcement body or court. Mostly it adds at least a couple of months, sometimes 6+ months to the whole process.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

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

Here is how you can calculate your KLM flight cancellation compensation:

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. That’s in case you agree on an alternative flight KLM is offering you. If you are taking a refund — you’ll be entitled to €600.

3.1 KLM Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if KLM is offering you a voucher instead of compensation?

Most airlines were offering coupons during COVID crisis, many do that regularly. Do you have to accept a KLM compensation voucher, or can you say no? You can say no — you don’t have to accept a voucher. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. Always.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your flight is cancelled?

First of all, if you are flying with KLM, you’ll be offered a solution.

It’s their responsibility to handle the situation, no matter the reason of the cancellation. In most of the situations you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and full refund. It’s up to you to choose what suits you the best. In case of the refund, take into account that you won’t receive it immediately. Normally the payment is made within 7 days.

Don’t forget that in many situations KLM is also obliged to pay the compensation when flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the date of departure, and it’s their fault.

Do you have another flight? If it’s a connecting flight booked from KLM or Air France, and because of this cancellation you are going to miss the next flight, don’t worry, because the airline will take care of that and will put you on another flight for free. If, however, it’s a flight booked separately, then it’s going to be your responsibility to book another flight.

KLM Flight Cancellation Compensation: FAQ

KLM Refund

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