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KLM Missed Connection Compensation

KLM missed connection compensation.

How much can you claim? What happens if you miss your flight?

Most people don’t know this, but in many situations you can claim compensation for a missed flight connection. It doesn’t matter where are you from, the price of your ticket, and whether you have a travel insurance or not — mostly none of that matters. That’s just the laws in the European Union, 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. EU Missed Flight Connection Compensation

What happens if you miss your KLM connecting flight ?

Are you entitled to compensation?

In short — you may be. 

The rules in these situations are super simple.

1.1 Missed Connecting Flight Due to Delay: Compensation 

You made it 3 or more hours later, and it was fault of KLM.

If you’re flying to or from Europe, and you reach your destination 3 or more hours later, and it’s due to 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.

The same rules apply to connecting flights.

Your destination in this case is your final destination.

If you are flying from Paris to Dubai via Amsterdam, Dubai is your final destination. If you have made it to Dubai 3 or more hours later due to fault of KLM, you will be entitled to compensation for missed connection flight for the whole “Paris – Dubai” journey.

Don’t forget to file a compensation claim!

1.2 Missing a Connecting Flight Due to Cancellation

The rules are the same as with flight delays.

If you’re flying to or from Europe, and you reach your destination 3 or more hours later, and it’s the airline’s fault, you are entitled to compensation up to €600. You can get missed connection flight compensation if your previous flight is cancelled due to fault of KLM, and as a result you have missed another flight.

  • It’s fault of KLM;
  • Flight is to/from Europe.

These rules apply only to connecting flights.

It doesn’t apply to self transfer flights. You can’t get compensation, if your flights are booked separately. For example, if you have one flight with KLM and one with Wizz Air, and your flight with KLM is cancelled, KLM is liable only for their flight. You can get compensation for this one KLM flight when it’s due, but KLM won’t offer you any help with your Wizz Air flight.

Don’t forget to file a compensation claim!

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.

1.3 Extraordinary Circumstances

These are the situations when it’s not fault of KLM.

If you miss a flight due to things like extreme weather conditions or airport staff strike, in these situations you can’t get compensation. 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 are considered fault of airline (not extraordinary circumstances). 

Just fill in our claim form, and our partners will do that for you.

1.4 Right to Care

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

For example, your flight arrived late due to fault of KLM, you missed connection flight, and now you have to wait for another flight. According to connection flight rules, KLM has to offer you a new flight for free. In this case you also have a right to care from KLM, as long as the waiting time at the airport is at least 3 hours more than planned.

  • After 3 hours of waiting KLM must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, plus two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes.
  • In case of an overnight delay, free hotel accommodation must also be offered (+ free transfer).
Entering hotel room
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

2. How to Claim KLM Flight Compensation?

There are two 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 missed connection. Be prepared that it may take months. Be also prepared to negotiations. It’s great if you know how much later you arrived to your destination, and have some sort of proof to show. 

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case everything is handled by legal professionals. 

Our partners offer such services.

When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:

Go to
this page

Fill in a claim form

Upload documents*

Sign online

And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.

* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.

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 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 can end up being a lot of work.

Euro banknotes
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

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 flight compensation:

When destination is within the EU:

€250

If the distance of your flight is
up to 1500 km

€400

If the distance of your flight is between 1500 – 3500 km

When your destination is outside the EU:

€250

If the distance of your flight is
up to 1500 km

€400

If the distance of your flight is between 1500 – 3500 km

€600

If the distance of your flight is more than 3500 km

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.

Woman at the airport
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels

4. Connecting Flights

4.1 What Is a Connecting Flight?

A connecting flight is two or more subsequent flights.

To put it simply, having a connecting flight means you have to change planes at some point. You are not flying directly from A to B, but there is also be C. You fly from A to C, and then from C to B. Sometimes there are more than a single stop. A wait at the airport between the flights is called a layover.

There are two types of connecting flights:

  1. airline-protected transfers,
  2. self transfer flights.

4.2 Airline-Protected Transfer

How to find out if you have an airline-protected transfer?

  • You have booked a connecting flight from the airline or via some third party service such as Kiwi, Expedia or eDreams.
  • You have one booking reference number for the entire trip (two or more flights on your itinerary).

4.3 Self Transfer

You have two or more flights one after the other.

If you have booked these flight separately, it’s called a self transfer.

If you have two or more reservation numbers, it’s a self transfer.

If you paid for these flights separately, it’s definitely a self transfer.

Sometimes it might be hard to distinguish the two, self transfer and airline transfer. For example, kiwi.com allows you buy several flights as a single booking. But if you look at the boarding passes, you’ll see that each one of them has their own reservation number or so called booking reference. That means it’s a self transfer.

Mostly flight search sites tell it somewhere, if it’s a self transfer.

KLM airplane at the airport
Featured photo by Viola ‘ from Pixabay

5. Missed Connection

Missed connection means missing a connecting flight.

It happens when you are running late for flight and miss it due to delay or last minute cancellation of the previous flight. Whenever your flight is late or cancelled, you can easily miss your next flight. Especially if the layover or flight connection time is only 1 or 1.5 hours long. In this case, it’s very easy to miss a flight.

It’s great to know that very often you are protected by your airline. If arriving late to your destination isn’t a big problem, sometimes it can also be beneficial for you to have a delay, because you may also receive a flight compensation up to 600 euro per person. If KLM messes up, it’s their responsibility to find a solution with your KLM missed connecting flight.

Cancelled or delayed flight causes missed connection?

5.1 Airline-Protected Transfer

This is the easiest and safest option for you.

You’re protected and you may also be entitled to compensation if something goes wrong. If your flight is cancelled, you’re given a new flight, but you still miss your connecting flight. And also every time a flight delay causes missed connection. In all these situations you are protected. You are given a new flight, and sometimes you are also entitled to compensation.

Just get in touch with KLM representatives at the airport.

What about a refund or compensation?

You can’t get a refund for missed flight, but you may get missed flight compensation for your whole journey, if it flight falls under the EU Regulation 261/2004. Since the amount of the compensation isn’t affected by the price of your flight ticket, in most situations it’s even better — you can get 200 or 400 euro even if you paid only 40.

Don’t forget to file a claim for compensation!

Connecting flight example:  Paris, Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) – Cancun, Cancun International airport (CUN), with a stop in London, Heathrow Airport (LHR). Booked from KLM, under one booking reference number.

5.2 Self Transfer

These are several flights that are booked separately.

What happens if you miss connecting flight due to delay?

If any of these flights is 3+ hours latecancelled or you are denied boarding, then you might be entitled to flight compensation for that particular flight. But neither of the airlines will be responsible for your journey as a whole or for any missed flights. 

For instance, you have a flight with Wizz Air to Paris. Let’s call it “flight 1”. Then there is a 3-hour layover at an airport and the next flight with KLM to Amsterdam. Let’s call it “flight 2”. If you miss flight 2 due to flight 1 being delayed or cancelled, neither of the airlines are responsible for it. 

If it’s a long delay, you may get a compensation from Wizz Air.

If it’s a last-minute cancellation, you may get a new flight or refund and compensation from Wizz Air for flight 1 — that’s the rules in the European Union.

However, if you miss your KLM flight as a result, it is your responsibly to buy a new flight to your destination. Neither Wizz Air nor KLM will compensate you anything for flight 2. You won’t get compensation for missed flight connection.

If you have missed flight insurance, contact your insurance company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get compensation if my flight ticket was very cheap?

The price of your ticket doesn’t matter. 

It also doesn’t affect the amount of the compensation you may receive.

Do I need to have an insurance in order to claim compensation successfully?

No, you don’t need an insurance for that.

It’s all possible thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004. 

Can my baby receive compensation?

Yes, rules are the same for all passengers.

People of any age can get compensation if they are eligible to it.

Can I claim compensation for other person?

Yes, and you don’t need to have taken the flight yourself. 

You can file a compensation for your relative or friend, as long as this person gives you his or her boarding pass and passport copy. The only thing the person in question will have to do is to sign any documents KLM may ask to sign. When working with flight compensation companies it’s usually only one document

How far back can I claim flight compensation?

It varies from country to country. 

You have to look at the local laws in the country the flight departed from. Mostly, however, you can claim compensation for flights that are up to 2-3 years old. 

What to do if KLM is refusing my claim?

Your KLM compensation claim is refused.

The easiest way to get compensation KLM owes you, is to file a claim against KLM with flight compensation company. Alternatively, if the airline is refusing your claim, you should try and find a solution by contacting respective national enforcement body. There are national enforcement bodies in all EU Member states.

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

I’m flying to the EU from Asia / Americas / Africa. Can I get compensation?

If you’re flying with KLM then yes, you can.

KLM is an airline registered in the EU, and in this case EU regulations apply to all its flights to and from Europe. If you’re flying with a non-EU airline, it applies only to flights departing from Europe.

I’m flying from the EU to Asia / Americas / Africa? Can I get compensation?

Yes, even if it’s a non-EU airline.

I am not a European. Can I apply for compensation?

Yes, you can. 

Any national can apply for KLM flight delay compensation. In the European Union these rules are the same for everyone — tourists from overseas and Europeans alike.

KLM Delayed Flight > Missed Connection

If I miss my connecting flight, what happens to my luggage?

What happens if your flight is delayed and you miss your connecting flight, and you also have checked baggage? If it’s an airline protected transfer, your airline (in this case KLM) will take care of your baggage.

KLM will give you another flight in place of the one you have missed.

And they will transfer your baggage to that new flight.

Learn more: Lost baggageDelayed baggageDamaged baggage

Missed connecting flight due to weather. Can I get compensation?

No. Because it isn’t fault of your airline.

Weather conditions are considered “extraordinary circumstances”.

If you miss your next flight because the previous one was delayed or cancelled because of that, you are not entitled to compensation. However, you will still be given a new flight to your destination for free.

Flight Cancellations

What to do if my first flight is cancelled more than two weeks in advance and I can miss my connecting flight?

Is it an airline-protected connecting flight?

If yes, you will have to choose a new flight. And if that means missing your connection because of that, you can also choose a new connecting flight for free. If you can’t make changes yourself, contact KLM. Since it isn’t a last-minute cancellation, you can’t get flight cancellation compensation.

Alternatively ask for a full refund to your bank account.

If it’s a self transfer, all you can ask for is a full refund for cancellation

Other Situations

My flight was operated by Air France. Which airline is going to pay the compensation?

You booked a flight from KLM, and it was operated by Air France.

In this case Air France is the airline you’ll have to file a claim against.

But it’s only true regarding the compensation. If the first flight of your journey is delayed and because of that you have missed your connecting flight, the marketing airline is responsible for booking you into the next available flight for free. If that has happened, contact the airline  you booked your flight from (KLM in this example).

Airline gave me a free hotel room and took me to my destination. Can I still get compensated for delay?

Yes, you may still receive flight compensation. 

Because that’s your airline’s responsibility — to take care of you. In Europe you have a right to care no matter the circumstances. And if you’re eligible to compensation, it doesn’t affect your chances of receiving it. You should not forget to file a claim, though.

Airline did take me to destination. Can I still get compensated?

If you arrived 3 hours later than planned, then, yes. 

In many situations you may still get compensated. Depending on the distance of your flight, you may receive up to €600 per passenger.

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

Featured photo by Alexandr Podvalny from Pexels

26 thoughts on “KLM Missed Connection Compensation”

  1. Hello from Australia
    I am arriving at CDG airport April 5 SQ336 at 7:35 am. I need a connecting flight to Rennes France. There is a flight at 9:20AM. If I miss this flight am I able to catch the 12:30 flight without charge please?
    Louise Lake

    1. Avatar photo

      Hi Louise, it will be possible (and for free) if you book it as a single booking. If you buy two separate flights, and if you miss the second flight, then you will have to pay for the new flight.

  2. Hi, I bought a ticket to New York from Brussels with a connection flight in Amsterdam. It turns out at that time I will already be in Amsterdam, is it possible to only fly from Amsterdam to New York. So I would no longer fly the first connection from Brussels to Amsterdam. I also have checked-in baggage so not sure if they will let me get on the plane and check in my baggage in Amsterdam directly.

  3. Hi, I bought a ticket to New York from Brussels with a connection flight in Amsterdam. It turns out at that time I will already be in Amsterdam, is it possible to only fly from Amsterdam to New York. So I would no longer fly the first connection from Brussels to Amsterdam. I also have checked-in baggage so not sure if they will let me get on the plane and check in my baggage in Amsterdam directly.

  4. My husband is traveling on a KLM flight from Amsterdam to JFK right now. It was very delayed at take off and he will miss his connecting flight from JFK. There are no more Delta/KLM flights tonight. Will they put him on a different airline?

  5. The trip is booked via KLM and I have only 01:10 hour transfer time in Amsterdam – What will happen if I miss my flight because of long line in security/pass control

    1. Avatar photo

      KLM will have to provide you with a new flight. Will you be entitled to compensation or not, it will depend from the exact reason why you missed your flight (what caused these long lines).

        1. Woman using a laptop

          It depends from case to case. If it’s airport staff shortage – then mostly likely no, if it’s airline’s staff shortage – then yes.

  6. I have a flight from London to cape Town withKLM via Amsterdam. Business class. I only have 60 min between flights and on my way to London me and most of my fellow passengers missed our connecting flight due to the queues for going through security (again). And no one even tried to help. And that was 2 hours between flights. So what options do I have and what accountability do you take to get me on my connecting flight through your airport?

    1. Woman using a laptop

      Hi Johan, the way it works is — you try to make it yourself, and if it doesn’t work out then you contact KLM staff to help you get a new flight. Unfortunately, but this is how it works in by far most cases and with most airlines, not only KLM.

  7. We bought tickets to UK with transfer in Amsterdam. The transfer time was to be around an hour when we bought them but now the connecting flight has been advanced and we only have 5 mins to transfer. So most likely we wont be making it. Will we be able to get new transfer flights?

    1. Woman using a laptop

      If it’s a connecting flight, it’s airline’s responsibility to make sure to make it to your destination. In this case it would mean that they have to give you a new flight for free.

  8. Hi, I have KLM flights booked from Bristol to Amsterdam and then a connecting flight to Bogotá, the connection time is 1 hour 10 minutes which I think is really tight but supported from KLM so I’m hoping it works…but if I end up missing the connecting flight will KLM put me on the next flight, even if this isn’t a KLM flight?

    1. Woman using a laptop

      Hi Vivienne, it depends from the situation, availability, etc. It’s best to assume that you may be left waiting for up to 24 hours or so, until the next KLM or their codeshare partner flight leaves.

  9. I’m looking to book a flight from England to cancun. There is 1hr35 minute transfer time at Minneapolis. Is this enough time to get through security, immigration and check back in? If not, due to unexpected queues will KLM offer another flight for fre?

  10. Hello,
    KLM just emailed due to cancelled flight KL1710 from OPO to AMS on Nov 8 at 5am and rebooked for 11:15am departure (KL1712). The connecting flight KL605 in AMS to SFO was changed to depart at 15:00hrs and new transfer time is only 5 minutes at AMS. Obviously we will miss the connection. Does KLM provide accomodations and airport transfer to/frm hotel plus meals? Do we call ahead or just wait until this happens?
    Thank you,

  11. Hi, I am flying from MAN (UK) to Bergen in Norway via Amsterdam. I am worried that if miss the connecting flight then I will not be able to get the train to my onward destination as it will be too late. What would happen in this situation? Both countries are outside of the EU however Norway is in the Schenghen area

  12. Hi, I have a connection in Amsterdam for 7 hours. I was wondering what would happen if I go out to tour the city and I miss my connection flight? Will be fined? or automatically put on the next flight? The idea of spending a night in Amsterdam is not bad but I’m afraid I will get fined or lose my flight. Thanks

  13. I am flying from SA to Portugal via Amsterdam and have a 6,5 hour layover.
    Do you offer any compensation for the long layover?

  14. Hi, maybe you can help me! I bought a ticket to Montevideo, from Amsterdam, via Buenos Aires. I have to swap airports in Buenos Aires and the second leg (Montevideo to Buenos Aires) was moved to an earlier departure time.
    I have only three hours to change airports and only the transfer time lasts 1:20 hours according to the official website of the transfer company.
    I’m sure I won’t be able to make it on time and I have tried informing KLM about it, but they mention that 3 hours should be enough and that any change done today would be on my cost.
    Is there anything I can do? They mentioned that they will rebook me without cost in case I miss the connection, but it can well happen that there are no more seats on other flights. It’s also something that can be easily avoided by just rebooking me today.
    How can I avoid this?

  15. Hello my flight was delayed from Dublin to Amsterdam because of bad weather, then we were told that Amsterdam airport was only working with 1 runway (because of bad weather)so we were delayed again by another 30 minutes , then we were told 5 minutes before we landed by the captain that are Las Vegas flight has gone without us, can claim compensation for this??plus we had to cancel are Christmas holidays due to your airline going with out us???

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